to treat it

There are many reasons for not absorbing vitamin B12, which causes a deficiency in the body and the emergence of many complications and symptoms. Let''s find out about that in this article. Reasons for not absorbing vitamin B12 The reasons for not absorbing vitamin B12 can include the following: 1. Getting old Atrophic gastritis is one of the conditions that affect up to 30% of the elderly, and this condition leads to a decrease in the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which reduces From absorbing natural vitamin B12 that is available in food.

2. Pernicious anemia

The most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency is pernicious anemia, which is an autoimmune disease that affects the stomach, where the immune system attacks healthy body cells.

In the normal situation, vitamin B12 is associated with a protein called intrinsic factor, then this compound is absorbed in a specific part of the intestine.

In the case of pernicious anemia, the immune system attacks the infectious cells that produce the intrinsic factor, causing the body to lose the ability to absorb this vitamin.

3. Gastrointestinal disorders

Individuals with stomach and small intestine disorders, such as: celiac disease and Crohn''s disease, may not be able to absorb enough vitamin B12 from food to maintain a healthy supply of it in the body.

4. Operations of the digestive system

Surgical procedures of the gastrointestinal tract that include weight loss operations, or gastrectomy operations to remove all or part of the stomach, often result in the loss of cells that secrete hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor, and this is one of the reasons why vitamin B12 is not absorbed.

Surgical removal of the distal ileum can also result in an inability to absorb vitamin B12, so individuals undergoing these surgical procedures should be monitored before and after surgery for nutrient deficiencies, including vitamin B12 deficiency.

5. Take some medication

Taking medications that affect the absorption of vitamin B12 can cause it to not be absorbed, and these medications may include the following:

Heartburn medications: These include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as esomeprazole and lansoprazole, as well as histamine 2 receptor blockers, such as cimetidine.

Some types of diabetes drugs: such as: metformin.

6. Overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine

Certain conditions, such as diabetes, scleroderma, and diverticulosis, cause slow movement of food through the intestines, allowing intestinal bacteria to overgrow in the upper part of the small intestine.

These bacteria consume vitamin B12 for their growth rather than allowing the body to absorb it.

7. Pathological reasons for not absorbing vitamin B12

There are some other reasons that may lead to a lack of absorption of vitamin B12, as follows:

Impaired absorption, as in some disorders of the pancreas.

Diphyllobothrium infection.

Frequent exposure to nitrous oxide, which is known as laughing gas.

Low acidity of the stomach.

HIV, AIDS.

alcoholism.

Treatment of vitamin B12 malabsorption

Here are the steps to treat vitamin B12 deficiency caused by its lack of absorption

Large doses of vitamin B12 are given by injection, and this method is often used due to the inability to absorb vitamin B12 due to pernicious anemia.

The patient continues to be given B12 injections, or resorts to taking large doses of oral supplements.

Elderly people are given a daily vitamin B12 supplement.

Treatment usually resolves the problem for most people, but the nerve damage caused by this deficiency may last for a period of time.

Symptoms of not absorbing vitamin B12

Not absorbing vitamin B12 causes a deficiency in it, which may cause anemia.

While a simple deficiency does not cause any symptoms, if it is not treated, it may lead to the following symptoms:

Fatigue and tiredness.

Vertigo.

palpitations.

shortness of breath.

pale skin

Diarrhea or constipation.

Anorexia.

Neurological disorders, including numbness and tingling, myasthenia gravis, and problems walking.

vision loss

Mental disorders, such as: depression, memory loss, and behavioral changes.