2023-10-04 15:08:22
Our body needs nutrients to maintain overall health, including growth and performing its necessary functions. Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in red blood cell production, DNA synthesis, and nerve function.
This vitamin is mainly found in animal products such as meat, fish, dairy products and eggs. A deficiency can lead to anemia, nerve damage, cognitive impairment, and other health problems.
According to expert Dr. Ekta Singwal, MSc (Nutritionist) at Ujala Cygnus Hospital Group, the normal range for vitamin B12 should be included according to age, according to what was reported by the specialized medical website “onlymyhealth”.
The normal range of vitamin B12 according to age
“Vitamin B12 levels can vary depending on age,” says Dr. Singwal. He added, “What is considered normal can depend on the reference range used by a particular laboratory or health care provider.”
According to Singwal, general guidelines for what is typically considered a normal range of vitamin B12 by age are as follows:
Infants (0-12 months):
200-900 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL)
Children (1-18 years):
200-600 bg/ml
Adults (19-64 years):
200-900 bg/ml
Seniors (65 and older):
200-700 pg/ml.
“These ranges can vary slightly between different sources and may be influenced by factors such as diet, genetics and individual health conditions,” Dr. Singhwal added. It is necessary to consult a healthcare professional to interpret specific test results and determine whether any action, such as dietary changes or nutritional supplements, is necessary to treat vitamin B12 deficiency or maintain optimal levels.”
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency occurs if you don’t get enough of it in your diet or if your body is unable to absorb or store enough of the vitamin.
In this context, Dr. Rajkumar, Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at the Indian Spinal Injuries Center in New Delhi, listed the symptoms of Vitamin B12 that you should pay attention to:
– exhaustion
– Pale skin
– A tingling or numbness sensation in the hands or feet
– Muscle weakness
– Mouth ulcer
– Vision problems
– Inflammation and redness of the tongue
– Anorexia
Risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency)
A person suffers from a vitamin B12 deficiency if his blood contains less than 150 units per milliliter.
You can detect vitamin B12 deficiency with the help of a complete blood count (CBC) test. Dr. Rajkumar has listed the risk factors for deficiency of this vitamin as follows:
– the elderly
– People suffering from digestive disorders
– People suffering from pernicious anemia
– Infants born to vegetarian women are also at risk
Sources of Vitamin B12
According to StatPearls, the liver stores an abundance of vitamin B12, which reduces the chance of deficiency. However, hepatic stores are depleted and deficiency results when vitamin B12 cannot be absorbed. This can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, malabsorption, or lack of internal factors.
Food sources to increase vitamin B12 levels
The best sources of vitamin B12 are animal products, including:
– eggs
– Meat
– Fish (tuna and salmon)
Since the richest source of vitamin B12 is animal products, it becomes difficult for vegetarians to look for alternatives. However, don’t worry as we list the options you can consider:
– Vegetarian milk cheese
– Yogurt
– Nutritional yeast
– Fortified cereals
– Vegetarian meat
– Mushrooms.
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