Vitamin B12 Deficiency Diet Therapy

From LoveToKnow Vitamins

If you suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency, diet therapy is often preferable to correcting the problem with nutritional supplements.

A healthy breakfast can help prevent vitamin B12 deficiency.

Signs of a Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Although a vitamin B12 deficiency is somewhat rare in the United States today, it can happen. Advanced age, chronic alcoholism, or a medical condition such as Crohn’s disease places a person at a higher risk of this problem. There is also some evidence to suggest that vegetarians and vegans have a higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, especially if they are not consuming soy products that have vitamin B12 added.

Some of the more common signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency include:

Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
Unexplained weakness and fatigue
Paleness
Stomach pain
Loss of appetite
Diarrhea
Irritability and depression
Disorientation and confusion

Since these symptoms may indicate other possible medical conditions, however, it’s best to discuss the issue with your health care provider. After listening to your concerns and taking a complete medical history, he or she will be more accurately able to determine if vitamin B12 deficiency diet therapy is needed.

The Problem with Supplements

If you’re the type of person who prefers a quick fix, pills might seem like the easiest way to deal with a vitamin B12 deficiency. Unfortunately, supplements are not intended to replace a healthy diet.

The potential drawbacks associated with vitamin supplements such as vitamin B12 nasal sprays, injections, pills, capsules, and lozenges include:

Vitamin supplements are more concentrated than foods which offer the same benefits, thus increasing the risk of adverse interactions and side effects from a vitamin overdose.
The vitamins in supplements are not absorbed as effectively by your body as the vitamins that occur naturally in the foods you eat. A healthy diet contains not just vitamins, but other synergists that allow the vitamins to work properly.
Vitamin supplements are often more costly than what you’d spend improving the quality of your diet.

Of course, there are certain circumstances where a vitamin supplement may be the only practical option for improving your overall health. The key is to view supplements as a last resort, not a simple solution for your problems.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Diet Therapy Treatment

The National Institutes of Health reports that adults and children ages 14 and over need 2.4 mcg of vitamin B12 per day to maintain healthy nerve and red blood cells, promote the proper absorption of calcium, and ensure optimal immune system function. Additionally, vitamin B12 is needed to control homocysteine levels which leads to a decreased risk of stroke, coronary disease, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's. Taking larger doses of vitamin B12 may be beneficial in certain circumstances, such as when you’re suffering from nocturnal leg cramps that affect your ability to get a good night’s sleep.

When looking to boost the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, focus on starting your day with a healthy breakfast. Many popular breakfast cereals are now fortified with vitamin B12 to provide enhanced nutritional benefits. The following cereals are excellent sources of vitamin B12, as evidenced by their vitamin B12 content per 200 calorie serving:

Kellogg’s All-Bran with Extra Fiber, 25mcg
Kellogg’s Complete Wheat Bran Flakes, 13 mcg
General Mill’s Whole Grain Total, 11 mcg
General Mill’s Multi-Grain Cheerios, 11mcg
General Mill’s Total Cornflakes, 11 mcg
Kellogg’s Special K, 10 mcg
Kellogg’s Kashi Heart to Heart, 10 mcg

Vitamin B12 deficiency diet therapy can also include adding meat, eggs and dairy products to your diet. Consider adding the following foods to your shopping list, with their vitamin B12 content per 200 calorie serving: