Folic acid supplements need to be taken before you get pregnant, so start taking them before you stop using contraception or if there's a chance you might get pregnant. The short answer is that we still don’t know, as there’s not enough data to explore how taking too much vitamin B12 could affect you. Vegetarian or vegan people who are pregnant may need to take supplements or consume fortified foods, as vitamin B12 transfers to the baby via the placenta and breast milk. If the infant is entirely chestfed, they may not consume enough vitamin B12. This can lead to permanent and severe neurological issues. This can happen as the result of a problem known as functional vitamin B12 deficiency, where there's a problem with the proteins that help transport vitamin B12 between cells.

When the body is unable to produce as many healthy red blood cells as it needs, which is often the case with a vitamin B12 deficiency, it leads to a condition called anemia ( 11, 14). As B12 is part of multiple energy-related cycles in the body, a deficiency can leave us feeling exhausted.” Never take more than your usual number of tablets at one time. Never take extra tablets to make up for forgotten ones. A blood test from your doctor can measure B12 levels. A serious deficiency can be corrected with B12 shots or high-dose supplements. Top foods with B12 Patients with a vitamin B12 deficiency can be asymptomatic or they can present with symptoms of megaloblastic anaemia or neuropathy or both. Other symptoms of low vitamin B12 levels may include mental disturbance (depression, irritability, cognitive impairment), glossitis (swollen and inflamed tongue), mouth ulcers, and visual and motor disturbances. It is important for patients with anaemia or neuropathy caused by vitamin B12 deficiency to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible to avoid the development of permanent symptoms.Vitamin B12 can be ingested through a wide variety of foods. It’s found in many animal products, as well as some fortified foods. For people who need more B12, or for vegetarians and vegans who do not use animal products, there are many supplement options available. Animal-based sources of B12 Other people needing shots include those who have had gastrointestinal surgery if their digestive system cannot absorb vitamin B12 efficiently. People with symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency In rare cases, a doctor may recommend injections, but research suggests that taking additional vitamin B12 by mouth can be as effective as receiving an injection in a muscle. It is also less costly. If anyone experiences difficulty breathing, hives, and swelling, they need emergency medical help. They may be experiencing anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction. Medications side effects

Vitamin B12 and folate perform several important functions in the body, including keeping the nervous system healthy. If you’re looking to up your intake, we’ve listed some of the best foods high in vitamin B12. These include: 6 Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol: Chronic alcoholism can damage your digestive system and cause vitamin B12 deficiency. The exact cause of pernicious anaemia is unknown, but it's more common in women around 60 years of age, people with a family history of the condition and those with another autoimmune condition, such as Addison's disease or vitiligo. Diet Like the vitamin B12 in fortified sources, the B12 in supplements is synthetic, so it’s vegan-friendly ( 14).Most people can prevent vitamin B12 deficiency by consuming foods and drinks that have vitamin B12. Stomach acid helps do that. The freed-up vitamin then binds to a protein (intrinsic factor, produced by cells in the stomach lining) and makes its way to the small intestine, where it’s absorbed into the bloodstream. B 12 deficiency Vitamin B12 deficiency happens if you are not eating enough vitamin B12 or your body is not absorbing the vitamin B12 you consume properly. Situations or conditions that can cause vitamin B12 deficiency include:

We typically get B 12 through diet. Rich sources include beef, liver, clams, poultry, fish, fortified cereals, eggs, cheese, yogurt, milk, and fortified plant milks (like soy, almond, or rice milks). For us to digest B 12, we first have to shake it loose from these foods. The product information has also been updated to note that the risk of this adverse reaction occurring increases with increasing metformin dose and treatment duration and in patients with risk factors known to cause vitamin B12 deficiency. [footnote 1] [footnote 2] [footnote 3] [footnote 4] Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Beverages, THE COCA-COLA COMPANY, NOS energy drink, Original, grape, loaded cherry, charged citrus, fortified with vitamins B6 and B12 - Vitamin B12 While our understanding of vitamin B12 may have changed over the years, our bodies’ need for this multi-tasking vitamin hasn’t.