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Self-injecting vitamin B12 can be scary at times, and for good reason. Vitamin B12 shots are inserted intramuscularly, through the thickest, fleshiest and nerve-riddled parts of the body. If you’re considering self-administering vitamin B12 shots to treat pernicious anemia, then it’s important to speak with your doctor first, and learn some basic methods and precautions.

Vitamin B12 shots benefits

Vitamin B12 is found in all animal-based foods like beef, chicken, fish, and dairy products. Though most people (excepting vegans) eat plenty of B12-rich foods, many people are unable to digest vitamin B12 naturally from diet, and must insert vitamin B12 shots manually into the bloodstream through vitamin B12shots, in order to avoid the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency-pernicious anemia.

Signs of vitamin B12 deficiency include sluggishness, memory loss, muscular pains and spasms, and frequent numbness in the extremities.

By self-injecting with vitamin B12 shots regularly, you avoid the risks of nerve damage, mental exhaustion, and increased danger for heart attack and stroke that often accompany vitamin B12 deficiency.

Worried about Low B12 Lab Results?

Where should I inject vitamin B12 shots?

When self-injecting vitamin B12 shots, it’s important to make certain that the needle sinks deep into the muscle, and not just beneath the surface of the skin.

There are eight areas of the body that are safe targets for vitamin B12 shots. In order to avoid nerve damage, bruising, or loss of blood when self-injecting vitamin B12, it’s important to choose a part of the body that you are able to reach easily and comfortably.

Thighs– Aim the needle at the middle or outer portion of the thigh, on the upper leg area. Pinch the thigh tissue, and avoid inserting the needle too close to the knee or groin area.

Buttocks- This is a hard area to reach by yourself safely, so you may choose to have somebody else administer vitamin B12 shots in the buttock, in the upper outside area. Avoid the center of the buttock, in order to prevent sciatic nerve damage.

Hip muscle/ abdomen- If you choose to inject vitamin B12 shots into your hip or stomach muscle, avoid the area around your belly button.  Also, if you have had a gastric bypass or caesarian delivery, then avoid irritating the scar tissue.

Upper arms- You may safely inject vitamin B12 shots into the fatty tissue behind your upper arms.

Please tell us…

Do you currently self-inject vitamin B12? Have you tried non-dietary over-the-counter supplements for vitamin B12 that also insert cobalamin into the bloodstream?

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

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Anemia is a blood condition that results in too few red blood cells in your blood stream. There are several different types of anemia, including pernicious anemia, a cause of vitamin B12 deficiency. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about anemia as posed to the medical community; find out how to prevent anemia and recognize the symptoms.

What is anemia?

Anemia is a condition in which you suffer severely depleted red blood cells, and as a result also lack oxygen, which is carried by red blood cells’ hemoglobin. With pernicious anemia, a depletion of vitamin B12 results in large, misshapen red blood cells that are unable to leave the bone marrow and deliver red blood cells to your body’s tissues and cells.

What causes anemia?

Anemia may occur as a result of chronic illness, such as rheumatoid arthritis or kidney disorder, or it may be caused by vitamin malabsorption, such as vitamin B12 deficiency. In rare cases, anemia is inherited. Sickle cell anemia, for example, may be passed down in the family.

Other causes of anemia are pregnancy, gastrointestinal disorders, and blood loss from surgery or injury.

How many types of anemia are there?

There are hundreds of types of anemia, all varying by cause. The most common forms of anemia are:

• Megaloblastic anemia (including pernicious anemia) from vitamin B12 and/or folate deficiency
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Aplastic anemia or thalassemia from bone marrow and/or stem cell disorder
• Sickle cell anemia (inherited)
• Anemia caused by blood loss
• Anemia caused by depleted hormones, such as occurs with kidney disease, hypothyroidism, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis

Is Vitamin B12 Deficiency an Autoimmune Disorder? Yup

What are the symptoms of anemia?

The symptoms of anemia vary according to the cause and severity of depleted red blood cells. The onset of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia usually manifests itself as fatigue, sluggish thinking, and painful tingling and numbness in the extremities (hands and feet).

Here are some common symptoms of anemia:

• Chronic fatigue
• Confusion (“brain fog”)
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Short-term memory loss
• Frequent bruising
• Paleness
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations following exercise
• Tinnitus (ear ringing)
• Unusual cravings for non-food items (ice, dirt)
• Muscle cramps
• “Pins and needles” in the hands and feet
• Painful numbness
• Stiff arms or legs
• Difficulty walking

Diagnosing Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Pernicious Anemia: Top 10 Tests

Treatments for anemia

Depending on the cause of anemia, several treatments are effective at replenishing red blood cells and preventing further complications.

For vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, it is essential to supplement with large doses of vitamin B12, immediately. Usually, treatment is given in the form of vitamin B12 injections, to be taken every week, and sometimes tapered off to monthly doses. For many patients of pernicious anemia, additional doses of over-the-counter (OTC) vitamin B12 supplements are helpful to keep symptoms of fatigue from flaring up and to maintain healthy levels of vitamin B12 between doctor’s visits.

Folate and iron deficiency anemia are likewise treatable with regimented vitamin supplementation.

When anemia is caused by chronic illnesses, the only way to replenish red blood cells is to treat the underlying disease. In some cases, blood transfusions or hormone therapy may help for maintaining red blood cells.

For bone marrow anemia, treatments range from bone marrow transplants to chemotherapy.

Treatments for sickle cell anemia include oxygen therapy, pain relievers, antibiotics, blood transfusions, and vitamin supplementation. Certain cancer drugs are also sometimes used to treat sick cell anemia sufferers.

Anemia prevention

Not all types of anemia are preventable. To prevent vitamin deficiency anemia, such as vitamin B12 deficiency, eat a healthy diet full of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and protein sources.

Vitamin B12 occurs naturally in animal-based foods such as beef, chicken, liver, seafood, milk, and eggs. Still, it’s important to test routinely for vitamin B12 deficiency, as vitamin malabsorption may prevent you from digesting vitamin B12 naturally from the foods you eat.

Iron deficiency anemia and folate deficiency anemia may be prevented by including leafy green vegetables, iron fortified cereals, pasta, and beans.

To find out more about inherited forms of anemia, seek a genetic counselor.

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The symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can impair a wide range of bodily functions, including your neurological, metabolic, and emotional health. Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms may vary for each individual, but the most common symptoms are consistent with the level of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) depletion. Here are some warning signs that may indicate the earliest or most advanced stages of vitamin B12 deficiency, including pernicious anemia.

What is vitamin B12 deficiency?

A vitamin deficiency is what occurs anytime your body doesn’t have enough of a nutrient that it needs in order to fulfill your basic needs.  Vitamin B12 deficiency is one such type of malnourishment that is sometimes caused by diet, but can also result from other factors, such as autoimmune disorder, medications, illness, or surgical procedures. Of all forms of malnourishment, vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms are the most common in the US.

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What causes vitamin B12 deficiency?

Vitamin B12 occurs naturally in all animal-based foods. If you regularly include plenty of meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and milk in your diet, then you probably won’t develop symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, as your body is able to store several years’ worth of vitamin B12 in the liver at one time.  If you are a vegan, then you must supplement with vitamin B12 regularly, in order to prevent vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms.

Even if you are a meat-eater, you may still be at risk for suffering a slow depletion of vitamin B12. People with a family history for pernicious anemia, a condition sometimes caused by autoimmune disorders, should check their vitamin B12 levels regularly, in addition to looking out for symptoms indicating vitamin B12 deficiency.

Also, if you regularly suffer gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea, vomiting, acid reflux, or stomach ulcers, then you may need to replenish your vitamin B12 levels. Illnesses such as Crohn’s disease, migraines, celiac disease, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome are all high risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms.

Patients of gastric bypass surgery or ileostomy should also be on the alert for warning symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, as removal of the ileum interferes with vitamin B12 absorption.

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Why you need vitamin B12

The symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency manifest themselves in many areas of the body, as vitamin B12 is crucial for a wide range of biochemical functions.

• Vitamin B12 protects your nervous system by maintaining healthy myelin, a coating that encases each nerve cell, enhancing intercellular communication and preserving nerve cell integrity.
• Vitamin B12 also regulates DNA synthesis, in supporting formation of healthy red blood cells.
• Vitamin B12 increases stamina, as it aids in converting carbohydrates into usable energy.
• Vitamin B12 also promotes cognitive health, as it helps to delay the onset of dementia caused by old age.

Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms

Here is a short list of the most common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, ranging in order from the mild deficiency to severe depletion.

• Short-term memory loss
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Chronic fatigue
• Painful tingling in the hands and feet
• Numbness in the extremities
• Facial twitching
• Confusion (“brain fog”)
• Sore red tongue
• Burning mouth syndrome
• Disorientation
• Sleep problems
• Vision problems
• Restless leg syndrome
• Muscular weakness
• Poor hand-eye coordination
• Difficulty walking without stumbling
• Difficulty balancing on one foot
• Impaired control of arm and leg muscles
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty controlling bladder or bowel movements
• Severe physical handicaps involving mobility

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Vitamin B12 and folic acid are both B vitamins that are essential for many important biochemical reactions in the body. Oftentimes, vitamin B12 and folic acid work together in a symbiotic relationship to supply energy and prevent nerve damage resulting from vitamin deficiencies. So, how do you know if you’re getting enough vitamin B12 and folic acid? Here are some clues…

Anemia

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and folic essential are both instrumental in regulating healthy red blood cell production. Likewise, when vitamin B12 and folic acid levels plummet, the result is a decline in red blood cells, which in turn leads to reduced levels of oxygen in the body. Symptoms of vitamin B12 and folic acid anemia may include fatigue, disorientation, and muscle weakness resulting from severe oxygen depletion.

Causes of vitamin B12 and folic acid anemia include malnutrition, autoimmune disorder, or damage to the digestive system.

Treatment: Always eat plenty of foods that are rich in vitamin B12 and folic acid, including fortified cereals, milk, meat, fish, and grain products. Alternatively, if you are unable to digest vitamin B12 from food sources, then it is crucial to supplement with both folic acid and vitamin B12 each day.

Vitamin Deficiency symptoms List

Vitamin B12 deficiency and folate

Sometimes, the effects of vitamin B12 deficiency (pernicious anemia) are masked by supplementation of folate. Large doses of folic acid may cure pernicious anemia by restoring red blood cells, without reversing the symptoms of nerve damage that also occur with vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. Worse, scientists believe that high levels of folic acid in the blood may also worsen cognitive impairments associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, such as memory loss, attention disorders, and confusion.

Treatment: In order to detect vitamin B12 deficiency when it occurs, doctors recommend taking no more than 1,000mcg of folic acid each day.

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Heart health

Vitamin B12 and folic acid are both instrumental in lowering levels of homocysteine, a hormone linked with increased risk for heart attack and stroke. Several studies focusing on patients of heart disease and stroke found positive results with supplementation of folic acid and vitamin B12 in lowering homocysteine levels.

Treatment: While vitamin B12 and folic acid are not known to prevent heart attack or stroke, there are numerous cardiovascular health benefits associated with vitamin supplementation, including reduced levels of homocysteine, DNA synthesis, increased energy, and overall feelings of wellness that contribute to stress management.

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Attention deficit disorder (ADD) isn’t just for school-aged kids; many adults have also struggled with concentration issues for years, without understanding causes of attention deficit disorder in diet, behavior, and underlying illnesses. Often, vitamin B12 deficiency causes cognitive decline, causing memory loss, poor attention skills, and fatigue.

Vitamin B12 benefits

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an essential nutrient for the brain, as it controls many biochemical reactions in the body that affect cognitive, emotional, and neurological development. Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is sometimes a consequence of inadequate amounts of vitamin B12 in the blood.

•Vitamin B12 maintains healthy brain mass and delays the onset of age-related dementia, as seen in several scientific studies on thinking and attention skills in people with varying levels of vitamin B12 in the blood supply.

•Vitamin B12 protects the nervous system by supporting the production of myelin, a fatty coating that insulates each individual nerve cell in our brain and spinal cord, enhancing intercellular communication and providing a defense against harmful elements.

•Vitamin B12 also regulates red blood cell production, ensuring continuous distribution of oxygen to all the cells of our body, particularly the brain.

•Vitamin B12 prevents fatigue by helping our body digest carbohydrates into energy.

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Vitamin B12 deficiency

Likewise, when vitamin B12 deficiency (pernicious anemia) occurs, we lose all the valuable benefits that cobalamin contributes to the brain.

•We begin to suffer short-term memory loss, forgetting words that used to be on the tip of our tongue, or regularly forgetting to make appointments.

•We have more difficulty concentrating while reading, getting easily distracted by slight noises (a common symptom of attention deficit disorder).

•Also, when vitamin B12 levels are low, we feel tired all the time, starting and ending the day exhausted. These are signs that our body is not getting enough oxygen, due to a decline in red blood cells caused by pernicious anemia. Chronic fatigue is often associated with attention deficit disorder, as well as depression and anxiety.

•We start to suffer the effects of damage to the nerve cells, as our myelin sheath gradually deteriorates, in a process called demyelination. We begin to experience neurological impairments, such as painful numbness in the extremities and muscle spasms. Attention deficit disorder is regarded by many as a neurological impairment.

Treatment options

Currently, the most popular treatment for ADD is Ritalin. However, if vitamin B12 deficiency is the cause of poor concentration, fatigue, or “brain fog,” then no amount of Ritalin will help to reverse the symptoms of attention deficit disorder. Instead, it may cause harmful side effects such as deep depression and anxiety.

To find out if you have vitamin B12 deficiency, ask your doctor for a blood test measuring “active cobalamin” levels. This is a very good indicator to determine if your vitamin B12 supplies are low. Still, best way to be certain is to monitor the symptoms you’re experiencing and their response to supplementation of vitamin B12.

For boosting attention skills and enhancing cognitive functioning, many people who suffer from ADD choose lifelong supplementation of over-the-counter (OTC) vitamin B12, in a nonedible form that dispenses directly into the bloodstream.

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Pernicious anemia can creep up on you- the seven stages of vitamin B12 deficiency begin with mild symptoms indicating low levels of vitamin B12 (cobalamin), but with time progress into debilitating, sometimes life-threatening illness, including increased risk for heart attack and stroke. Here’s what you should know about the various stages of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Stage 1- Vegan diet

Vitamin B12 occurs naturally in animal-based foods- meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and milk are all rich sources of vitamin B12. Healthy individuals who eat plenty of beef, chicken, and seafood don’t normally experience a depletion of vitamin B12, as your body stores several years’ worth of vitamin B12 in the liver.

If you follow a strict vegan diet prohibiting all meat, fish, and dairy products, then you are a high risk category for malnutrition, one of the most mild and treatable stages of vitamin B12 deficiency. Symptoms of fatigue, memory loss or foot numbness will disappear with supplementation of vitamin B12.

Stage 2- Transient Cobalamin Deficiency

This is also a mild form of vitamin B12 deficiency that requires supplementation in order to reverse symptoms. No sign of damage to the nerves or other impairment is apparent.

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Stage 3- Functional Cobalamin Malabsorption

There are many causes for this, one of the most common stages of vitamin B12 deficiency. Malabsorption disorder prevents your body from digesting vitamin B12 in dietary form. This is often because of damage to the stomach linings and intestines, or because of an autoimmune disorder. Certain medications and surgical procedures may also inhibit vitamin B12 absorption.

Symptoms of this stage of vitamin B12 deficiency may include:

• Extreme tiredness
• Confusion
• Memory loss
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Painful tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
• Muscle spasms
• Muscular pain or feebleness
• Eye or facial twitches
• Sore tongue
• Difficulty sleeping

For this stage of vitamin B12 deficiency, it is crucial to replenish vitamin B12 stores immediately without the use of edible cobalamin, but rather an alternate form of vitamin B12 supplement that bypasses the need for digestion.

Lifelong vitamin B12 shots, sublingual tablets, or other forms of nonedible vitamin B12 are effective at treating vitamin B12 malabsorption.

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Stage 4- Subtle Cobalamin Deficiency

Sometimes, you have enough vitamin B12 in your total body, but not enough that are in use; when “active vitamin B12” numbers are low, and the majority of the vitamin B12 in your body resides in the liver, you begin to suffer effects of vitamin B12 deficiency, though a blood test may turn up normal.

Of all the stages of vitamin B12 deficiency, this one relies more on attention to the symptoms you’re experiencing, as opposed to blood test results. Untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to severe nerve damage, emotional disorders, and in rare cases, death.

Stage 5- Subclinical Cobalamin Deficiency

It can take some time, even years, for symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency to develop; if you take a blood screening indicating low serum levels of vitamin B12, but you haven’t noticed any symptoms, don’t hesitate to begin vitamin B12 supplements. Until a further blood test confirms normal healthy levels of vitamin B12, you are still at risk for symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, depression, and muscle weakness.

Stage 6- Clinical B12 Deficiency

During these advanced, yet still treatable stages of vitamin B12 deficiency, symptoms are not yet severe enough to require hospitalization. Nerve damage which occurs at this stage can often be repaired. To stimulate healthy nerves, vitamin B12 is prescribed in large doses, usually in the form of vitamin B12 injections or other cobalamin supplementation that is absorbed into the bloodstream.

Symptoms of long-term vitamin B12 deficiency include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Severe anxiety
• Mood swings
• Deep depression
• Hallucinations
• Paranoia
• Frequent numbness or paralysis in hands and feet
• Electric shock sensations
• Vision problems
• Difficulty walking
• Poor motor skills
• Difficulty swallowing food
• Digestive problems

Stage 7- Clinically significant B12 Deficiency

This is one of the most debilitating stages of vitamin B12 deficiency. At this phase, demyelination, the breaking down of the myelin coating that protects your nerve cells is at its advanced stage. Your nerve cells are at risk of being damaged or eradicated permanently by viruses, autoimmune disorders, or inflammation.

Because vitamin B12 is essential for regulating homocysteine, a protein linked to heart attack and stroke, you may also be a high risk factor for heart disease.

If you are a pregnant or nursing mom, it is especially essential to receive immediate vitamin B12 supplementation, as your baby is also at risk for birth defects, failure to thrive, or death.

Symptoms of advanced vitamin B12 deficiency include:

• Debilitating fatigue
• Difficulty controlling arms and legs
• Inability to balance on one leg or sit upright
• Difficulty walking without stumbling
• Difficulty grasping things with your hands
• Vision impairments
• Loss of bladder control
• Heart palpitations
• Breathlessness
• Low aerobic endurance
• Hallucinations
• Paranoia
• Depression
• Anxiety

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Like this? Read more:

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What causes foot numbness? You know, that horrible “pins and needles” sensation you keep getting in your feet (and sometimes hands), that takes forever to go away. Don’t ignore painful tingling in the extremities, because it could be a sign of a severe injury or underlying illness. If you frequently experience foot numbness throughout the day, then alert your doctor immediately. Here are some possible causes of foot numbness.

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient for your nerves- it helps to maintain myelin, a fatty substance that coats the nerve cells of your brain and spinal cord, insulating them from inflammation and exposure to viruses. Myelin also supports communication between the nerve cells, providing a slick surface for quick and effective delivery.

When you don’t have enough vitamin B12 to maintain myelin, the result is a breakdown of the myelin sheath, called demyelination, which impairs your nervous system functioning. Vitamin B12 deficiency, or pernicious anemia, is a common cause of foot numbness, painful tingling, and other forms of nerve damage that occur when the myelin sheath become diminished.

To treat foot numbness caused by vitamin B12 deficiency, it is essential to replenish your vitamin B12 levels immediately. Many supplements like vitamin B12 shots, sublingual vitamin B12, or other over-the-counter (OTC) nonedible forms of vitamin B12 are effective for getting your vitamin B12 levels back to normal.

Pernicious Anemia- Vitamin B12 Deficiency is Nerve Rattling- Peripheral Neuropathy

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis (MS), like pernicious anemia, is also a demyelinating disease, but it is much rarer and more detrimental. Peripheral nerve damage from MS goes beyond foot numbness, and causes difficulty walking, manipulating your arms and legs, or controlling your bladder.

Because of its similarity to symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, patients of MS are advised to have their vitamin B12 levels checked routinely, in addition to receiving treatments for muscles spasms, fatigue, or foot numbness caused by multiple sclerosis.

Painful Tingling in Hands and Feet- What’s Up with That?

Diabetic neuropathy

If you suffer from diabetes, then you may experience frequent foot numbness, tingling in the hands and feet, or sore tongue. This is a sign of diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes).

It’s worth noting that if you take metformin, a popular diabetes medication, then you are at high risk for vitamin B12 deficiency, another common cause of nerve damage, as mentioned earlier.

See your doctor if foot numbness occurs frequently, and also ask for vitamin B12 blood screening, as well.

Managing Diabetes and Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Shingles

If you had chickenpox as a child, then you may develop shingles in your old age. In addition to foot numbness, other symptoms of shingles include painful burning skin rash, blistering, fever, and joint pain.

Herniated disk

A herniated disk occurs when a disk in your spine slips and causes nerve pressure. Symptoms of herniated disk in the lower back include sharp pain in the hips and legs, in addition to foot numbness or weakened leg muscles.

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When we suffer from constant chronic fatigue, house work might be the last thing on our mind. How can we be bothered with dirty dishes and piled-up laundry when our bones are aching and we’re too tired to get out of bed each morning? Because the truth is, clutter makes us more tired. Living in a chaotic household makes us more depressed each day, and that’s true for every single family member. Here are some realistic, helpful tips for managing chronic fatigue and house work, and avoiding the hurricane-hit-my-house syndrome.

One small step…

You know how the rest of that goes…try taking on one new habit, and commit yourself to it every day.  It should be something that will be part of your daily house maintenance schedule.

Decide today that before you get up from eating a meal, you will wash every plate and piece of silverware that you used. Or, make your bed every morning, regardless of how tired you feel.

Choose something that will visibly improve your living situation- something that you can manage each day, not counting flare-up days of fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue.  House work routines that are learned gradually are more likely to stick and become automatic.

Is Chronic Fatigue your Middle Name? Maybe it’s…

Lose weight

No, not body weight; lose the weight of all that clutter that you have amassed over the years. Every item in your house should “live” somewhere, either in a closet, drawer, or plastic storage container. If you can’t find a place to put most things in your home, then you probably have too much stuff.

As a rule of thumb, if you haven’t worn a certain pair of shoes in over a year, then you might as well lose it. Is it worth keeping something that takes up physical (and mental) space, just on the off-chance that you might use it someday in a few years?

Even if you don’t suffer from chronic fatigue, your house work efforts will suffer if you don’t make a habit of cutting down on the clutter.

But nobody’s expecting you to get it all done in one day. Plan on spending fifteen minutes each day just picking out things you don’t need, and getting rid of them. Donate something to Goodwill or have a garage sale, but do what you need to do- your chronic fatigue and house work situation will improve.

Take a day of rest

If you suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, or any other sort of chronic pain disorder, then you know your limits better than anybody else.  Choose a day of the week to rest, regardless of what the house looks like; set aside certain other days of the week for accomplishing house work goals.

Never try to get caught up on your house work when chronic fatigue flare-ups are slowing you down and keeping you constantly tired, though. Even if you end up canceling a workday because of chronic fatigue, your house work efforts will shine, just by sticking to a schedule.

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What’s the cause of vitamin B12 deficiency disease? There are many factors that can interfere with absorption of this essential B vitamin, cobalamin. If you’ve had gastric bypass surgery, for instance, or if you frequently suffer from gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease, then you’re a risky candidate for pernicious anemia, or vitamin B12 deficiency disease. Now, scientists believe they have discovered a genetic link to plummeting vitamin B12 levels.

Hereditary vitamin B12 deficiency

In a report on vitamin B12 deficiency disease published by Nature Genetics, researchers focused on an “inborn error of vitamin B12 metabolism” have isolated a gene believed to be essential for delivering vitamin B12 into the bloodstream.

According to Dr. David Rosenblatt of McGill University Health Centre in Canada, and one of the co-authors of this study, a “second transport protein” may provide a significant clue to understanding why hereditary vitamin B12 deficiency disease occurs for some people, and not others.

• Researchers focused on vitamin B12 deficiency patients who exhibited signs of a defect in metabolizing vitamin B12 through the cblF gene.
• Scientists later discovered a new gene- ABCD4– that they believe is crucial for digesting vitamin B12.
• By investigating the patients’ genetic makeup, scientists confirmed mutations of the ABCD4 gene in both instances.
• Scientists explain that the malfunctioning of the ABCD4 gene, essential for absorbing vitamin B12, directly causes “cblJ combined homocystinuria and methylmalonic aciduria,” or vitamin B12 deficiency disease.

Is Vitamin B12 Deficiency an Autoimmune Disorder? Yup.

Vitamin B12 deficiency risk factors

This is the first time that researchers have been able to positively include genetics as a possible cause of vitamin B12 deficiency disease; other causes include:

• Autoimmune disorder involving intrinsic factor, another protein that is crucial for digesting vitamin B12 naturally from food sources.
• Gastrointestinal damage caused by frequent vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach ulcers.
• Bariatric surgery or ileostomy, which involves removal of the ileum- a necessary organ for accessing intrinsic factor.
• Family history for pernicious anemia.
• Gastrointestinal disorders, such as Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), fibromyalgia, or celiac disease.

Treatment options

Researchers hope to find a cure for hereditary vitamin B12 malabsorption; for now, patients diagnosed with severe vitamin B12 deficiency are instructed to take large doses of vitamin B12 supplements until vitamin B12 levels return to normal.

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To boost your memory, you need to get plenty of sleep, do lots of brain-challenging pencil puzzles…and eat celery. It’s true! Researchers have noted the health benefits of certain foods in relation to cognitive excellence. Here are some snacks you should be eating to boost your memory and enhance your thinking skills.

Remember to eat your peppers

In a study on memory loss conducted by the Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois, scientists focused on luteolin, a flavonoid that occurs naturally in many vegetables, including bell peppers and celery. Their findings concluded that while luteolin helps to prevent inflammation in the brain by reducing cytokine production, it specifically only benefited the part of the brain responsible for memory and organization, the hippocampus.

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Inflammation in the brain is the cause for much cognitive impairment, such as short-term memory loss, dementia, including Alzheimer’s syndrome, and meningitis.  Some conditions that may cause brain inflammation include chicken pox, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), mumps, measles, HIV, and herpes.

In addition to treating inflammation with antibiotics and acetaminophen, boost your memory by consuming luteolin-rich foods like celery stick, thyme, chamomile tea, and bell peppers.

Keep up with vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common source of memory loss for many people, so it’s worth noting that one of the best ways you can boost your memory when you’re feeling fatigued and anxious is to make sure you have enough vitamin B12 in your blood supply.

Over the years, vitamin B12 deficiency can sneak up on you, causing cognitive and mental impairments like brain fog, extreme fatigue, memory problems, depression, and anxiety. Many people suffering from vitamin B12 deficiency don’t even know it- not until they finally submit to a blood screening.

Even if you aren’t deficient in vitamin B12, you still benefit from taking extra doses of this amazing nutrient- in many studies, scientists found significant cognitive health benefits (including memory skills) with administration of mega-doses of vitamin B12.

Foods that supply vitamin B12 include lean beef, chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy products.

To further boost your memory with vitamin B12, choose non-dietary vitamin B12 supplements that dissolve easily in your bloodstream without the need for endless pills and sharp needles.

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