Vitamin B-12 Deficiency

Vitamin deficiencies are something few of us have to deal with. Following a typical western diet allows a healthy person to more than meet their basic nutritional needs, provided they make sure to include enough fruits and vegetables. However, people with certain allergies, intolerances, or other conditions may experience vitamin or mineral deficiencies as a result of their illness.

I spent a little time this evening reading up on vitamin B-12 deficiency after a friend said his doctors suggested it as a potential cause for symptoms that could be related to his recently-diagnosed celiac disease. One of the main deficiencies seen in people with gluten intolerance or sensitivity is B-12, often due to associated malabsorption issues.

B-12 is found mostly in animal products, such as meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, milk, cheese, and eggs. A lot of cereals are fortified with it, and you often see it added to soy milk and "fake meat" products. So while it's slightly more difficult for a vegetarian to meet their B-12 needs, it's by no means impossible.

Symptoms of B-12 deficiency include:

Anemia

Nerve Damage

Paralysis

Supplements may be needed for a period of time to correct the problem. It's just another reminder to bring up concerns with your doctor and not to overlook the diet.

I had a professor who once said that the only disease a vitamin can cure is a deficiency of that vitamin, and while most of us don't have to worry about that, some people do. A lot of people pop multivitamins like candy even when they don't need them, but supplements were created for a reason.

An interesting op-ed on fortification

I was just reading this New York Times Op-Ed and thought it was worth sharing.

Author Nicholas D. Kristof discusses his views on the importance of fortification of foods with micronutrients such as folic acid, iron, and iodine. He cites prevention of birth defects as the main reason foods should have important nutrients added to them. He also brings David Dodson,founder of Project Healthy Children in to weigh in on the subject.

I think that Mr. Dodson has a point when he says that it is much cheaper to prevent birth defects than to treat them. A year's supply of folic acid, for example, "costs less than a hamburger." However, I also think this is a good spot to repeat what one of my dietetics professors said: The only thing a vitamin can cure is a deficiency of that vitamin.

As Mr. Dodson puts it, “It’s not a sexy world health issue, but it’s about the nuts and bolts of putting together a healthy population. Putting small amounts of iron, iodine and folic acid in the food supply hasn’t drawn attention the way it does when you treat someone who is sick or in a refugee camp. Until recently, this has been off everybody’s radar screen.”

While I think fortifying foods for reasons such as the prevention of birth defects is a positive thing, packing not-so-healthy foods with nutrients to get people to buy them is dishonest and kind of sleazy.