How Can Vegetarians Prevent The Cause Of Vitamin B-12 Deficiency?

Vegetarian lifestyle means a permanent change to a diet based on plant sources. Vitamin B12 deficiency is common among vegetarian diet following people. Because B-12 is rich in animal sources such as eggs, fish, meat, and milk products. Most people in the U.S. get enough of this B-12 nutrient in the form of fortified foods.

How Can Vegetarians Prevent The Cause Of Vitamin B-12 Deficiency?

According to NIH adult men and women required 2.4 and 2.8 mcg of B-12 each day. To meet the daily requirement lot of vitamin B-12 nutritionally rich foods ingestion is important. Among the plant-based food, almonds, oats, and soy are rich in vitamin B-12 sources. But, they lack in a quantity which is not sufficient or meets the daily requirement. As most of the sources are animal, the vegan follower can depend on the dietary supplements, B-12 shots, and nasal spray form.

Dietary Supplements

In dietary supplements, vitamin B-12 generally exists as cyanocobalamin. In the human body, it is readily converted to the active form of methylcobalamin and 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin. Some dietary supplements can also contain methylcobalamin and other forms of vitamin B-12. The ability to absorb vitamin B-12 from dietary supplements largely depends on the intrinsic factors. Methylcobalamin can also provide a number of health benefits, which is not possible with cyanocobalamin.

Nasal Intake of B-12

A nasal Spray is an artificial form of vitamin B12 which consists of cyanocobalamin used to treat vitamin B12 deficiency in people. Common side effects such as headache and nausea are reported. The recommended initial dose of nasal spray is 500 mcg administered in one nostril once weekly. Nasal Spray may interact with antibiotics, methotrexate, pyrimethamine, colchicine, or alcohol. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, one must avoid nasal spray B-12 shots, as this medication may pass into breast milk.

Prescription Injections

If vitamin B-12 deficiency is identified, one can take B-12 shots in the form of cyanocobalamin and hydroxocobalamin. It can be administered parenterally as a prescription medication, generally by intramuscular injection. Parenteral administration is typically used to treat vitamin B12 deficiency caused by pernicious anemia and other conditions that result in vitamin B12 malabsorption and severe vitamin B12 deficiency. However, physician advice is a must for B-12 shots. This is the best alternative for one who has poor absorption when they take prescription orally.

Many people who practice yoga depend on plant-based diet. There is no association between practicing yoga and dietary habits. Dietary habits are not an integral part of religion. Nutritional deficiency etiology has many reasons. A lack of vitamin B12 can cause deleterious health problems and some may lead to permanent health issues. It is essential for the normal metabolic activity of the cell. B12 is significantly involved in vital biological processes, ranging from proper red blood cell formation to neurological function, and even DNA synthesis.

Some of the signs and symptoms that occur in people who suffer from B12 deficiency include chronic fatigue, lethargy, muscle aches, joint pain, and trouble while exercising. Poor memory, incompetence to concentrate and cognitive problems associated with aging, and mood changes, like increased depression and anxiety, or signs of nervousness and rapid heartbeats may lead to the permanent condition if left untreated. Poor dental health, including bleeding gums and mouth sores, shortness of breath, feeling dizzy, poor appetite or digestive problems like constipation, nausea, diarrhea or cramping can also occur. Sometimes greater risk for problems like cardiovascular complications or even cancer occurs due to an increase in homocysteine levels.

It is easy to prevent vitamin B12 deficiency disorder in general populations. Meat, fish eggs and milk products are naturally enriched with B12, which can alleviate deficiency disorder. Those who depend on plant-based foods, fortified foods and B12 based dietary supplements (tablets or capsules), intramuscular injections, and nasal spray are recommended, which are mostly approved by FDA.

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:June 25, 2018

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