AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE ON B12 DEFICIENCY

The body stores between 2-5mg of vitamin B12, about 3-5 years worth. Most of this vitamin B12 is stored in the liver (approx 50%). Some vitamin B12 is secreted by the liver each day in bile, and then reabsorbed in the small intestines. Approximately .1% of vitamin B12 is lost each day through malabsorption. Pregnancy can deplete vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 deficiency causes pernicious anemia mainly due to inability to synthesize DNA. Historically, the disorder was called 'pernicious' because a diagnosis was often fatal. In modern times, the disease is often diagnosed before the illness develops. Vitamin B12 deficiency also damages nerves, leading to absent reflexes, diminished touch sensation, dementia, depression and other neural degenerative disorders. You may also experience fatigue, depression and poor memory.

Sources of Vitamin B12

All Vitamin B12 is manufactured by bacteria, making yogurt, sauerkraut and other fermented foods good sources of vitamin B12. However, the highest concentrations or dietary vitamin B12 is normally found in animal based food products, especially liver, meat and fish. Higher concentrations, to a lesser degree, are found in eggs and dairy.

B12 Deficiency & Vegetarians

B12 deficiency was as high as 92% in vegans according to one German study. Roughly 2/3's of vegetarians are B12 deficient, and only 5% of meat eaters. Children of vegetarians are particularly at risk, since they store less of the vitamin.

Stomach Disorders & Vitamin B12 Maldigestion

Stomach acids and pepsin free vitamin B12 bound to proteins, making it available for use. Antacids block this process, and may be a leading cause of B12 deficiency among carniverous adults.

Free vitamin B12 is then bound to haptocorrin secreted in saliva and the stomach. In the less acidic environment of the small intestine, pancreatic proteases degrade haptocorrin. Vitamin B12 then binds to intrinsic factor, produced in the stomach.

Atrophic gastritis, auto-immune disorders, gastric bypass surgery, and other stomach disorders can affect the stomach's ability to produce acids, pepsin, and intrinsic factor. In patients with pancreatic insufficiency, enzyme deficiency may fail to liberate vitamin B12 from haptocorrin, and prevent B12 from binding with intrinsic factor.

Vitamin B12 Malabsorption

Finally, brush border receptors for intrinsic factor absorb vitamin B12 in the terminal ileum. Diseases affecting absorption in the terminal ileum such Crohn's & Short Bowel Syndrome reduce absorption of vitamin B12. Alcohol can interfere with vitamin b12 absorption.

Disclaimer: Conditions such as 'B12 Deficiency' that cause tissue changes could be serious and should be checked by a medical doctor.

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Augment your diet with these specially chosen ingredients below which may be useful for 'B12 Deficiency'. Individual results vary depending the cause of your imbalance and by constitution. Please research the ingredients below to find which are most helpful for you, and check with your doctor before making any changes to your health and wellness routine.

BLOOD AND CIRCULATION TIPS

DISCLAIMER: The pathogenesis of each person's condition is unique, and so the diet must be fit to the individual and the unique root causes of the condition in your body. The information on this page is for educational purposes only and should not be used to treat a medical condition. It is not a substitute for medical care. Please check with your doctor before making any changes to your health and wellness routine.

Everything you eat has an effect on your body, which Ayurveda categorizes in a simple and easy way, using biocharacteristics (gunas). Biocharacteristics are qualities (like cold and hot) that describe the effect a food or herb has on your body. Cooling foods like cucumber, decrease metabolism. Heating foods like chili pepper, stimulate your body and increase metabolism. For 'B12 Deficiency', you should select foods with the following biocharacteristics. Individual results will vary, based on your body type and the root cause of your imbalance.

HOW TO ADDRESS ISSUES IN STAGE OF DISEASE #3

B12 DEFICIENCY IS IN STAGE OF DISEASE #3 - ATTACKING TISSUE

If you have symptoms in this category it means that your imbalances are becoming stronger and weakening your body's resistance. Most people have a weakness in one or more organs. These areas of weakness are the 'weak link in the chain.' They are first to succumb when an imbalance reaches a tipping point. Repairing imbalances in this category often represent your last opportunity to prevent disease. At any moment, these imbalances could overwhelm weakened tissue and develop into a disease. You may feel pain or discomfort in the weakened area. At this stage you will need to support the weakened tissue with specialized foods and herbs for the weakened tissue. (See all disease stages on JB)

GET MY FREE AYURVEDA BODY MAP According to Ayurveda, one or more of the following doshas and biocharacteristics may aggravate 'B12 Deficiency'. If you have an excess of one of these doshas or biocharacteristics below, Ayurveda recommends reducing foods and lifestyle habits that aggravate them. Click on the biocharacteristic to learn what foods and lifestyle habits should be reduced.

Are you prone to a problem with 'B12 Deficiency'? Find your imbalances and create a diet for your Blood and Circulation by taking the free blood and circulation quiz:

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The following symptoms & habits may be related to 'B12 Deficiency'. See your quiz results for a computerized assessment of your body type. Please click on the symptoms below to learn more about them. On average the biocharacteristics of people reporting B12 Deficiency were more aggravated than 65% of other symptoms. From the 4,649 people who reported B12 Deficiency average deviation in biocharacteristic levels were the following:

Risk Factors of B12 Deficiency

Complications of Those Reporting B12 Deficiency

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