June 18, 2011. Paul Hixon
It is very rare for us to hear about epidemics of Vitamin b12 deficiency. It is certainly not often in the news.
And it is not widely talked about. This is because it does not often occur in the modern population. The segment of people most at risk for this disease is the vegans or vegetarians. From their set, it is their children who are most vulnerable. This is because the body only has a very minimal vitamin b12 daily requirement. It only needs approximately 2 mcg everyday. Vitamin b12 is most bioavailable in meats, dairy, yeast, and shellfish. Thus, if your diet is composed of multiple protein sources, you are most likely to get the minimum requirement very easily. However, since vegans don’t consume meat, they are at a disadvantage. They can only take vitamin b12 form yeast and that can be very limiting. Excess vitamin b12 taken from the diet is usually stored in the liver as reserves. Children don’t have very large reserves so they are more at risk for developing vitamin b12 deficiency.
In the past, doctors usually recommended b12 injections as treatment for the symptoms of vitamin b12 deficiency. These injections are quick acting and very effective. And they have been the preferred treatment option for the longest time. In the recent years, there have been many medical advances and this has given birth to all sorts of alternative treatment options. The first will have to be the adjustment of the diet to incorporate larger doses of vitamin b12 from food. One can avail of a nutritionist for this. Second is the use of oral supplements. This can be taken daily just like an ordinary pill. Third is the sublingual b12. Left under the tongue, this can be either a liquid or a strip. And finally there is the nasal spray.
Updated June 18, 2011. Published January 19, 2011. Paul Hixon
