BY DR. KHOOBSURAT NAJMA
What is vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 is vital for the formation of red blood cells, as well as for the proper functioning of the nervous system.
Why are Vegetarians at risk?
Vitamin B12 is available only in animal foods (meat and dairy products) .Milk and eggs contain vitamin B12 but no plant food naturally contains the vitamin. Strict vegetarians who do not eat any meat, fish, egg or dairy products can develop vitamin B12 deficiency.
Why should it be treated?
If left untreated Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to anemia and nerve and brain damage, which may even become irreversible. Vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects and birth related complications. It can also increase the risk of heart diseases and certain cancers such as colon cancer.
Symptoms:
Symptoms tend to develop slowly and include:
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Easy bruising including bleeding gums
- Pale skin
- Sore tongue
- Poor appetite
- weight loss
- tingling sensation in toes and fingers
- Memory problems
Diagnosis:
- Diagnosis is done by CBC(Complete Blood Counts) and Serum B12 levels.
- Advanced blood tests include Serum Homocysteine and Methylmalonic acid level (MMA).
Prevention and Treatment:
- If you are a vegetarian who can take milk and dairy products, include them in your daily diet plan.
- If you are a strict vegetarian, then it is important to eat breads, cereals, or other grains that have been fortified with vitamin B12.
- Vegetarians can also take daily supplements of vitamin B12 tablets as per doctor’s advice.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency can be easily treated with daily Vitamin B12 pills or weekly injections.
Visit 1mg.com , India’s best online medical shop to know more useful information like this!
Thanks
THNX FR ADVISE
Thanks great information. in future this kinds of information if possible send me by mail.Thank you.
Good information
Eager to know more abt Thyroid & ssteps to avoid frequent urination
It’s great service on health and science. Please continue it.
nice
Nice
The information provided can be very useful to Public at large and Doctors specially.
As a doctor I do agree with the contents of your article on Vit.B1.
Vitamin B12 article was very useful.
Good
Very very helpful.
Like to share is that 3 months back I came to know about this deficiency in me.
I m taking medicines & seen difference in B12 in me.
This is very useful information for all.
no doctor has ever recommend me b12 though I’m a 100% vegi.
how u can say this as since ancient years all vegetarian are more active then those bull shut nonveg eater
Mr Nikhil, scientific research shows that vegetarians are at a higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. the best way to avoid this is to take vitamin B12 supplements and fortified vegetarian foods.
I think the scientific research is done on Americans and result is applying on Indians.
I am sure the ancient pure veggies had lots of cereals supplementing their B12 requirements.
Very useful information… im very happy by downloading ur app.. its amazing… But I want to know about gout… plz suggest me how to control uric acid and gout
Mr Tarun, we will surely come up with information on gout and uric acid soon
Right now Vit. B12 oral spray is available in market in name of B12 spash (producr of zota healthcare ltd, surat) which is very usefull for b12 deficiency.
Very good thanks
No, it’s absolutely not true. Most Non- vegetarian are also suffering from such deficiencies. There are many pure veg. Eatabls which contains B12 vitamin.
Don’t change your habits to eat only vegetarian food because there are many more benefits in a pure vegetarian than a non-vegetarian.
Hi Praveen,
Non-vegetarians too can suffer from Vitamin B12 deficiency. However, it is a scientific fact that vegetarians are at higher risk of suffering from Vitamin B12 deficiency. Hope this was helpful.
Regards,
1mg team
Thanks . . .
Im vegiterian and knowing the things from your B12 deficiancy article. . .very useful for vegy like us.
Very good materials, Every body should have the knowledge of vitaminB12.
One thing is that if you have RO water supply thsn there is more chance of this deficit
Thanks a lot for this awareness tips..
Is there any treatment for HLA B 27 positive
Neha, that depends on the underlying cause. it needs proper evaluation.
Very useful informatio for me.
Good for understanding knowledge.
Why there z still deficiancy of Vit – B 12
Although veggies are drinking milk….????
Mr Rahul, as we grow up, our body’s ability to absorb milk decreases. so, the vitamin B12 absorption is also decreased.
Indians are basically vegetarian for ages, but complications due B12 deficiency are quite rare. Then why now?
Good article
Very good information
Good work Team
It is usefull information keep sending such important messages thanks
I have been diagnosed with viral Hepatitis on 17th June 2015… Bilirubin Total is 3.5… Taking Liv.52, Pantop, Rehaptin.. And complete rest…. Light food…fruits..
I am getting fever and headache frequently. Is there any possibility of any other illnesses?
Mr Vineesh, Viral hepatitis take a few weeks to resolve. keep yourself well hydrated, take your antiviral medication and rest. If you get high grade fever repeatedly, please consult a doctor
Thanks
Thanks
Very useful information, however I want to know that if we can take milk regularly that shall we get vitaminB12.
Mr Sanjay, with age our body’s ability to absorb milk and its nutrients also decreases. So, along with milk you can take cheese, yoghurt, curd as they are better absorbed.
How can we retrieve your earlier news letters, like for example I want to read the news letter you sent two days back on Thyroid.
Hi,
You can see all our articles here: http://articles.1mg.com/
Thanks,
1mg team
Good information
Good & Very Useful.
It will be appreciated if you suggest useful medicine as remedy.
Thanks.
Thankx
Vitamin B12 article is usefull but misleading for vegetarion humanbeing
Mr yashwant, this is an aricle on Vitamin B12 deficiency which is relatively higher in the vegetarian population as reported throughtout the world. The best way to avoid this deficiency is by taking milk products like cheese, curd, and vitamin B12 tablets after consulting the doctor
Very nice…….info about health…
Very nice information.
Your these informative articals are very much appriciated , thank for providing useful information
Very much useful for d veg people like me
Very useful….i just ordered chicken tikka after reading this
Good information.
Very useful information about B12 vitamin deficiency .
Nice knowledge
Very useful information. Kindly let me know other information related to bone disease and precautions. Thanks
Very Good Thanks
Good information
Very useful information. Nice and thanks.
Extremely useful for all vegies and non-veggies as well….
Is methylcobalamin supplement useful for low red blood count ?
Mr Faiyaz, if your low red blood count has been diagnosed due to methylcobalamin deficiency, then it will get treated by taking methylcobalamin
Thanx doctor !
Kya bat hai
Very nice info.
Kindly let me know more about gen weakness and anemia.
Thanq Dr.Najma
Thanks sir..
Very useful information…
keep the good work going…
Good &useful article for all
Very nice information about B12 deficiency
Thanks for the valuable information
This is very useful information
I m hypothyroid n over weight. Any relevant info which will help me loose weight n also help thyroid problems.
Info onthypothyroidsm n weight loss
Very nice information
Very important article for vegetarians.
Not true i heard from usa and uk they take non veg but also they have b12 deficency 4 out of 10 person also got information from net
Mr Narendra, studies have proven that vegetarians are at risk. since prevention is better than cure, vegetarians should eat dairy products and cereals and breads fortified with vitamin B12 to prevent deficiency.
Good information. Thanks!
Thanku so much for this information
Very useful article on B12, for a vegetarian like me
Good information
As a Dr. I am agree with your Topic
Useful informtion . What should the vegetarians do ? Which medicine should they take ?
Mr Prasad, all vegetarians do not need to take medicines. the best thing to do is to take foods fortified with vitamin B12. if you take milk products like cheese, curd on a regular basis that can also maintain B12 levels. if you are above 50 and have signs of vitamin B12 deficiency, you can take methylcobalamin tablets after consulting a doctor
If this message is correct, how is it possible that Indian Brahmins, banias, Jains who are not talking animal products for last 3000 years didn’t need it? These communities have been generally doing brain works. Is there any explanatio
Mr Khanwalkar, scientific research across the globe has proven this. It is not that all vegetarians will have B12 deficiency. all that we are saying is that vegetarians are at higher risk. so to prevent a chance of deficiency it is advisable to take vegetarian foods fortified with B12.
Very nice information. Thank you..
Nice information. Please suggest me about uric acid levels as I am having it 7.5 around the last year continuesly. How can I control it. Please help me.
महत्वपूर्ण जानकारी देने के लिए धन्यवाद ।
A useful article
THANKS
most important defficiency found in common man
Sir, good for giving info. One thing to know is how brahmin who are strictly vegetarian are supplemented. I feel more research has to be done.
Thanks.it’s good information.
Very good information.,.
Thanks for the updates, give some inputs on Vitamin D also.
Very nice and good information B12 thenks
Very nice. Good information.
Its rally helpful. Please keep updating
Thank u dr its useful…
Thanks
Very useful
Nice
Really helpful.
1mg-HK+….. … !!!
Very very…. Nice
Good
Its a scientific fact that we get vit 12 mainly from animal sources thats why vegies are at risk.
Second thing previously there was less knowledge and facilities for testing but defeciency was there.
Thanks dr najma
Very useful information for pure Veg. people.
Good article
Very very good.thanks
Can vegetarians be vegetarians after taking vitamin B12 pills?
Mr Aijaz, the Vitamin B12 pills are chemically synthesized like all other medicines.
Sir, my age is 33. I am suffering from asthma, disc degeneration, fatty liver, piles, ulcer, obesity etc. I am being following vegetarian from 6 months. My sugar and cholesterol levels are normal. I am taking ayurveda medicines for my disease. The doctor has strictly told not to eat egg, milk and meat.can i eat nonvegeterian.
Please reply.
Mr vinod, if your doctor has suggested you to stop taking nonveg, you should follow his advice. You can take B12 tablets after consulting your doctor.
Very good information
Very useful information. Thanks
Nice information for menkind
Very informative. Unknown facts disclosed. Thanks.
Excellent article this will help people
Thanks.
Thanks for the motivation.
The article and information about B 12 deficiency was very good. Very useful.
Thnx 4 great information
Thankx my b 12 is only 4 deficiency
Please start eating Nonveg, ie . mutton beaf and many more
No.need to mention the details of non veg. Mr. sultan
Very valuable information..then I expect more healthy reports again again….
I am vitamin deficient Please suggest me some vitamin b12 vegetarian medicines
Dairy product also given us b12 but should be under doctor advise only
All ways helpful such informations especially for medical and pharmaceutical professionals.expecting more allways
It’s true… we are jains …we have been vegetarians fr ages… n yes we are at a higher risk… even if we dont go for a test…the deficiency is always there…
I am saying this as per my personal experience…
Its a serious issue… n smhow I hv seen many ppl suffering frm this deficiency are prone to hving thyroid… i am nt sure of it though…
I dunno hw but deficiency of vitaminD3 & B 12 may lead to thyroid
Helpful information
Nice information,plz continue.
Very good information
Really very helpful advices , please take it serioualy
Good informetion .
Very good information, particularly for Vegetarians. Thanks
I am a vegetarian & regularly take Spirulina in powder form. This Has helped me in my daily life, I feel less stressful, walk briskly for more than 5 km without getting tired & I am 52. This is considered as a superfood.
Vitamin b 12 is below line.pl.whiçh medicine is suitable.pl.name of medicine
i am taking “MBSON-SL” tablet daily. its safe, noside effect. no eaching. no pain in stomach.
When u take.before or after breakfast
Why 99% of vitamin B-12 supplements are wasted?
Taking vitamin B-12 as an oral dose is largely a waste of money. As much as 99% of what you swallow is not even absorbed… it’s just passed through your body.
There are really only 2 methods (available in India) for absorbing vitamin B-12 that reliably work:
#1) B-12 injections.
#2) Sub-Lingual absorption (under the tongue).
Vitamin B-12 can only be absorbed in the Small Intestine, and due to common intestinal ailments, even many meat eaters who consume high levels of B-12 are unable to absorb it in their gut.
Vitamin B-12 warning:
Avoid Cyanocobalamin (Synthetic B-12), take only Methylcobalamin (Natural B-12).
Solutions for vitamin B-12
Traditionally, people who are deficient in vitamin B-12 have received injections of B-12. This is extremely effective because it bypasses the digestive tract and goes right into the bloodstream. But it has one obvious downside: It requires being injected! So most people aren’t interested in this method.
Instead, most people supplement their vitamin B-12 using nutritional supplements. But here’s where this can go wrong: The most commonly available form of vitamin B-12 on the market is the cheap synthetic form that’s actually bound to a cyanide molecule (yes, cyanide, the poison). It’s called cyanocobalamin, and you’ll find it in all the cheap vitamins made by pharmaceutical companies and sold at grocery stores and big box stores.
Action item: If you have any vitamin B-12 supplements, check the ingredients label right now to see what form of vitamin B-12 they contain. If they contain cyanocobalamin, throw them out!
Cyanocobalamin is a cheap, synthetic chemical made in a laboratory. It’s virtually impossible for you to find this form in nature. Low-end vitamin manufacturers use it because it can be bought in bulk and added to products with claims that they “contain vitamin B-12!” What they don’t tell you is that the vitamin is bound to a toxic, poisonous cyanide molecule that must then be removed from your body by your liver. Cyanocobalamin is also up to 100 times cheaper than the higher quality Methylcobalamin.
Sub-lingual Methylcobalamin is available in Indian market in a medical store. Ask for the following brand – which is a known sub-lingual:
“NUROKIND – OD”
For deficiency of Vitamin B-12, take 1 tablet sub-lingually every day for 15-20 days or until the deficiency symptoms subside and the patient starts feeling better.
For maintenance purposes, take 1 tablet sub-lingually every alternate day for 15-20 days.
It is always better to include Folic Acid (FOLVITE) tablet that can be taken orally with water. Dosage: Half tablet ‘Folvite’ or 2mg – 3 mg Folic Acid tablet (of any other brand) before or after ‘Nurokind – OD’. This will effectively treat ‘Pernicious Anaemia’.
Ordinary Methylcobalamin – in oral tablet form is NOT Sub-Lingual and hence will not work and is not likely to be absorbed in an adult patient’s small intestine. So it will be wasted without treating the deficiency symptoms.
For any inquiry, please email me: indian_mail (at) yahoo (dot) co (dot) in mentioning your mobile No.
Good Luck.
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