As we get older, we become more aware of various health issues. One health condition that is always at the back of people’s minds is Alzheimer’s disease. Fear of this mysterious condition grips many people; rightfully so, since Alzheimer’s disease seems to attack even the healthiest of people.
New Findings
While research is still in the works, some health professions claim they have found a link between vitamin B12 deficiency and Alzheimer’s disease.
Vitamin Deficiency Explained
A vitamin deficient person has low blood levels of a particular vitamin. Each day, we should be consuming a wide variety of essential vitamins and minerals. Otherwise, our bodies won’t function at an optimum level.
Specific Information about Vitamin B12 Deficiency
As is the case with any other deficiency, low levels of vitamin B12 are dangerous. In fact, patients will experience permanent damage to nervous tissue if B12 requirements aren’t attended to. The disease most commonly associated with this deficiency – pernicious anemia – is fatal within three years if left untreated. Vitamin B12 deficient patients are also commonly ensnared by clinical depression.
With all these ties to impaired cognitive function, it isn’t surprising to learn some experts believe there is a link between this deficiency and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. While research isn’t definitive, there are several people who point to evidence that lack of this essential vitamin could cause Alzheimer’s disease.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Signs and Symptoms
Doctors often struggle to diagnose this condition because it has several non-specific symptoms that are also associated with other illnesses. As the condition progresses, symptoms become more pronounced.
- Tiredness
- Depression
- Decreased memory retention
- Irritability
- Lack of concentration
- Suicidal tendencies
- Mania
- Altered personality
- Severe memory issues
Treatments
There are two things that could be causing a patient’s deficiency: inadequate consumption or the body’s inability to absorb the nutrient. The treatment method will depend on the cause.
Addressing inadequate consumption:
If a patient is simply not consuming enough of the vitamin, he or she can easily reverse the condition by eating foods rich in vitamin B12. Excellent sources of the vitamin include meat, poultry, fish, seafood, eggs, and dairy products. Vegetarians can turn to B12-fortified foods like nutritional yeast, breakfast cereals, plant milk (soy, rice, or almond), energy bars, or powdered drink mixes.
Helping the body absorb the nutrient:
If a patient’s body isn’t absorbing the nutrient, he or she will need the help of a supplement. Vitamin B12 supplements have more of the vitamin than the body needs. The hope is that the body will receive an abundance of B12 and be able to absorb enough to get by. Supplements are available in an oral pill, sublingual pill, intranasal spray, or transdermal patch.
Since vitamin B12 deficiency isn’t curable, the patient will need to focus on nutrition needs for the rest of his or her life. While there are still some questions as to the direct correlation of B12 and Alzheimer’s disease, it is probably safe to assume early detection and treatment will do a lot to help delay – or prevent entirely – the mysterious condition.
Author Bio;
Guest author Spencer Williams writes for a variety of health and wellness blogs. Right now, he is spending a lot of time researching the relationship between daily B12 injections and the probability of preventing late-life mental illnesses. He is also looking into the possibility of using vitamin B12 injections for weight loss.
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