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Three Things Neurology Patients Need To Know About Vitamin B12 Deficiency
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Many people associate vitamin B12 with red blood cell production. While contributing to the process of producing red blood cells in the body is an important function of this vital vitamin, perhaps vitamin B12's significance in healthy brain function is just as important. Vitamin B12 supports brain health in a variety of ways and is known for helping to produce myelin, a substance that aids in the conduction of nerve impulses.
When patients don't get enough vitamin B12, a condition known as pernicious anemia can result. This condition has been linked to a wide variety of neurological conditions including Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, and psychiatric symptoms such as depression and fatigue.
The following are three important things patients who are showing neurological symptoms should be aware of regarding vitamin B12:
Deficiencies in vitamin B12 intake can cause or aggravate brain shrinkage.
One common symptom shared by patients suffering from severe Alzheimer's disease is brain shrinkage. As Alzheimer's progresses, cognitive function declines as a patient loses brain mass and nerve cell death results in lost brain tissue.
However, vitamin B12 may prevent or slow the brain shrinkage that causes Alzheimer's. In fact, some research has indicated that B vitamins could bring about as much as a 90 percent reduction in brain shrinkage.
Deficiencies are not necessarily caused by diet.
Vitamin B12 deficiencies can be caused by health conditions that prevent the body from properly digesting or processing the vitamin. For example, a condition known as achlyorhydria can reduce the amount of stomach acid a patient has. This will cause a digestive imbalance and prevent digestive enzymes from breaking down foods that contain vitamin B12 so that they can be absorbed by the body.
Another condition that can result in a vitamin B12 deficiency is anemia. It's also important to note that certain medications can detract from the body's ability to process vitamin B12. These include certain blood sugar regulating medications taken by diabetics.
Vegetarians and vegans are at great risk of vitamin B12 deficiency.
When it comes to dietary deficiencies, vegetarians and vegans are at the greatest risk. This is due to the fact that animal products like meat and eggs are typically the foods with the most vitamin B12.
It's a good idea for vegetarians and vegans to take vitamin B12 supplements to prevent the onset of the many neurological conditions that can be caused or aggravated by a deficiency. It's also a good idea for those who don't eat meat or animal products to have their vitamin B12 levels tested regularly to make sure that they're getting enough of this vital nutrient.
For more information, talk to a doctor like Mohsen M. Hamza, M.D.
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