Understanding Hypovitaminosis B12: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

ABSTRACT

Vitamins are very essential for the various functions of our body like RBCs production, catalyzing the various enzymes reactions etc. These vitamins are naturally present in our food items. Having less amount of daily requirement of the vitamin can increase the risk of causing various health issues. There are various types of the vitamins out of which eight are from the vitamin B complex which is the power source of the human body. From them a very essential vitamin named Vitamin B 12 which is highly effective in the production of the blood cells. Deficiency of which can lead to a type of anemia named pernicious anemia, mental and physical fatigue, instability and insomnia. Long term deficiency can also lead to permanent damage to the central nervous system. Vitamin B12 cannot be synthesized inside the body of planets and animals, this is synthesized in microorganisms like fungi and bacteria.

IMPORTANCE OF VITAMIN B12

Vitamin B 12 is important in the formation of the blood cells, DNA synthesis, neurological functions etc. This also works as a cofactor for the different types of the enzymes which are useful for the synthesis of DNA.

CAUSES OF HYPOVITAMINOSIS B12

Some main causes for the Hypovitaminosis B12 are as follows:

• Ignoring the diet containing non-vegetarian food items.
• Improper digestion of the food items which are rich in vitamin B 12 like meat and dairy products.
• Suffering from any time of autoimmune disease.
• Having infections like Crohn’s disease, HIV, celiac disease
• Taking medications like antibiotic or anti-seizure drugs.
• People who take only Pure vegetarian diet.
• Having excess bad bacteria.
• Person having pernicious anemia unable to absorb the vitamin B12 from the food items.
• Lactating and pregnant women having pure vegetarian diet can lead to neurological disorders in the infants.
• Tapeworm in the intestines.

SYMPTOMS OF HYPOVITAMINOSIS B12

Symptoms of hypovitaminosis B 12 include:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Weight loss
• Degeneration of peripheral nerves
• General weakness
• Pale skin
• Tremors
• Sleeplessness
• Sore tongue
• Headache
• Loss of balance
• Shortness of breath
• Depression
• Confusion
• Red and swollen gums
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Ringing sound in the ears
• Tingling in toes and fingers
• Gastrointestinal problems

FOOD SOURCES FOR VITAMIN B12

Vitamin B 12 is not produced in the animals and plants but can be stored for a long time. The food items which are the rich in Vitamin B 12 are as follows:

• Fresh juice of the fruits like beet, carrot, apple, pomegranate etc.
• Cereals
• Meat
• Honey
• Dairy products such as yogurt, milk etc
• Eggs
• Cheese

HEALTH BENEFITS OF VITAMIN B12

Vitamin B12 is very effective in various health issues like:

1. Depression – Vitamin B12 helpful in maintaining the synthesis of the various neurotransmitters of the brain. These neurotransmitters are helpful in maintaining healthy brain functions so they can prevent depression.
2. Metabolism of energy – Vitamin B12 is helpful in energy metabolism because it regulates the enzyme named SuccinylcoA which is formed in citric acid cycle.
3. Brain health – Vitamin B12 is very effective in maintaining brain health by maintaining the neurotransmitters in the proper level. Hypovitaminosis can cause Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin B12 is effective in maintaining the level of the homocysteine which is very important in managing Alzheimer’s disease.
4. Preventing from cancer – Vitamin B12 prevents the damage of the DNA because if DNA gets damaged it may lead to the cancer.

DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH HYPOVITAMINOSIS B12

Some diseases which are associated with the Hypovitaminosis are as follows:

• Grave’s disease
• Addison’s disease
• Myasthenia gravis
• Underactivity of pituitary gland
• Diabetes Mellitus Type-1
• Vitiligo
• Secondary amenorrhea
• Pituitary glandHypoactivity
• Vertigo

DIAGNOSIS OF HYPOVITAMINOSIS B12

Diagnosis of hypovitaminosis B 12 includes:

• CBC (Complete blood count)
• Schillings test
• Homocysteine
• Vitamin B12 level
• Folate level test (Folic acid)
• Reticulocyte count
• Urine test to know the level of Methylmalonic acid
• LDH (Serum Lactate dehydrogenase) level
• Intrinsic factor antibodies

SIDE EFFECTS OF VITAMIN B12

Hypovitaminosis B12 occurs when our body cannot absorb the amount of vitamin b 12 which is sufficient for our body needs. It totally depend upon the some factor as follows:

• Vegetarian people
• Age
• People having stomach issues like Crohn’s disease, celiac disease etc.

DOSAGE OF VITAMIN B12

Dosage of the Vitamin B12 varies from age and sex which is as follows:

1. Age between 0-6 months- 0.4 mcg
2. Age between 6-12 months- 0.5 mcg
3. Age between 1-3 years- 0.9 mcg
4. Age between 4-8 years- 1.2 mcg
5. Age between 9-13 years- 1.8 mcg
6. Age above 14 years- 2.4 mcg
7. For pregnant women- 2.6 mcg
8. For lactating women- 2.8 mcg

HERBAL REMEDIES FROM PLANET AYURVEDA FOR HYPOVITAMINOSIS B12

Planet Ayurveda has very effective herbs for the treatment of the hypovitaminosis B12 and these remedies are as follows:

1. Wheat Grass Powder
2. Echinacea Capsules
3. PunarnavaMandur
4. Gotukola
5. Green Essentials

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. Wheat Grass Powder – Wheat grass Powder is a rich source of the minerals, vitamins and antioxidants which are effective in maintaining health and managing several types of the diseases. This detoxifies the blood by increasing the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. Green pigments of the Planets are similar to the heme part of human blood which result in enhancing the power of the hemoglobin. This Wheat grass powder is highly effective in maintaining the proper timing of the secretion of the enzymes and metabolites by improving metabolic rates. This remedy is also helpful in stimulating digestion, reducing acidity, cleansing the digestive tract, healing various ulcers, and treating various other conditions like colitis, hepatitis, skin ailments, metabolic disorders, wrinkles, skin ailments, general weakness etc. With the use of this herbal remedy we can also get rid and stay prevented from various viral and bacterial infections. This is so much effective as it can also manage the side effects of the radiotherapy and chemotherapy because it has anti-inflammatory properties. Ingredient included in this remedy is Wheat Grass (Triticumaestivum).

   Dosage:- 1 teaspoonful mixed with a glass of water should be taken 2-3 times daily.

2. Echinacea Capsules – Echinacea capsules of Planet Ayurveda are helpful in cleaning micro as well as macro channels and also stimulate the more and more productions of the healthy red blood cells of the body. These have anti-thrombogenic, antibiotic, antimalarial, immunity enhancing, anti-carcinogen, anti-hepatotoxic and anti-inflammatory properties. These are also helpful in reducing the stress, maintaining blood glucose level, act as enhancers, decrease the growth of the bacteria and viruses like hepatitis b virus, influenza, herpes etc. These are effective in managing various cancers like breast cancer, prostate cancer, inhibit the antifungal and anti-rotavirus activities. The ingredient of this Echinacea capsule is Indian Echinacea (Andrographispaniculata).

   Dosage:- 1-2 capsules two times a day with plain water after meals.

3. PunarnavaMandur – This product of planet Ayurveda is very effective in treating the various diseases like liver disorders, anemia, edema by removing the various toxins from the body and blood and making it pure. Punarnava acts as diuretics as it flushes out excessive amounts of the water from the body and also rejuvenates the cells of the body. This herbal remedy acts as a natural hemoglobin enhancer because it improves the blood quality as well as quantity that means to increase the blood count. This is also helpful in various other health issues like puffy eyes, fatty liver, renal issues, liver failure etc. The ingredients of this herbal remedy are such as Punarnava (Boerhaviadiffusa), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Maricha (Piper nigrum), Chavya (Piper Chaba), Chitrakmool (Plumbagozeylanica), and Shunthi (Zingiberofficinale) etc.

   Dosage:- 1-2 tablets two or three times a day with lukewarm water.

4. Gotu Kola – Gotu kola capsules are helpful in providing vitality to the body by reducing the nervous exhaustion and increasing concentration power. These capsules are rich Ayurvedic herbs which are helpful in balancing Satva (psychic energy), improving memory and tridosha (Vata, Pitta and Kapha). The ingredient included in this Gotu Kola capsules is Gotu Kola i.e. Madhuparni (Centellaasiatica) etc.

   Dosage:- 1-2 capsules two times daily with plain water after half an hour of meals.

5. Green Essentials – In Green essential capsules green stands for life as these capsules provide us a happy and healthy life because these nourish our cells and fight against various diseases. As we all know that there are several herbal remedies which are helpful in managing disease like insomnia but these Green essential capsules are effective in making us alert and active. These capsules are useful in cleansing the heavy metals which are rich in iron, vitamin B complex, other vitamins and minerals as these are responsible for the tissue repair and blood formulation. Ingredients of this herbal remedy are as such Grape seed (Vitisvinifera), Green Tea (Camellia sinensis), Amla (Embllicaofficinalis),Wheat grass (Triticulumaestivem), and Spirulina (Spirulinaplatensis).

   Dosage:- 1-2 Capsules two times a day with plain water after meals.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin B12 is very essential for various functions of our body. As discussed in this article, Hypovitaminosis B12 can have various health issues and in order to prevent these health issues vitamin B12 is very much important. Herbal remedies of Planet Ayurveda are very much effective in maintaining normal Vitamin B12 levels in our body and protect from several health conditions. These herbal remedies are safe, pure vegetarian and free from any preservative. For any other or for further queries you can visit our clinic at Mohali, Punjab or you can email us on herbalremedies123@yahoo.com. Visit our main website : www.PlanetAyurveda.com