Vitamin B12 Deficiencies

A lack of vitamin B12 deficiencies can be cause to your hair loss. B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. This means that the body can't store it and must replace it daily. However, not everyone ingests an adequate amount of B-12. Since much of the B-12 comes from animal products, vegans often have a vitamin B12 Deficiencies.

In the elderly, the production of the intrinsic factor that allows the body to absorb B-12 in the small intestines slows down. This makes the elderly prone to B12 deficiencies.

Because of the demand for more nutrients, sometimes pregnant or lactating women can have a deficiency of B12. A genetic disease where people can't absorb B 12 because lack of the intrinsic factor that makes it usable for the body, causes a B12 deficiency and is pernicious anemia. People that smoke or drink heavily or use fad diets frequently can also show signs of B12 deficiency.

While some signs of a B12 deficiency are obvious, many times physicians fail to identify it. Doctors often blame lifestyle on fatigue, one of the leading symptoms. A new mother may explain she's fatigued but the excuse from the doctor is always the new baby or the body's stress from the changes. Doctors blame exhaustion in the elderly on their age and expect them to feel old and tired. Those who smoke and drink too much are thought to burn the candle at both ends, consequently the feeling of exhaustion.

Another, often undetected sign, of a B12 is depression, hair loss. Just like fatigue, people often blame the depression entirely on life circumstances, lack of exercise or may even blame it on the person, saying they're simply looking for attention.

Chest pain can occur if a person is deficit in B12 or heart palpitations. Sometimes, the signs are so insidious, particularly in the elderly, that they're considered a normal part of aging. Since memory loss, dementia or confusion is one of the signs of a B12 deficiency and deficiencies tend to occur more frequently in the elderly, many times family and caretakers chalk it up to part of getting older. One study showed remarkable improvement after six months when seniors with senility or Alzheimer's disease received daily doses of B12.

A lack of vitamin B12 Deficiencies causes symptoms such as shortness of breath ,hair loss and dizziness. Since B12 plays a role in the red blood cells ability to carry oxygen to all parts of the body, the low levels of oxygen create the trouble maintaining balance, shortness of breath and fainting. The body simply doesn't have the required oxygen it needs to function properly.

A lack of vitamin B12 can produce either weight gain or severe weight loss. Since B12 plays a role in the metabolism, a deficiency can lower the metabolic rate and cause a weight gain. However, a deficiency can also cause a poor appetite and a form of anorexia where the person chooses not to eat because they aren't hungry. This causes the weight loss. Most of the time, babies experience weight loss from the lack of vitamin B12. They also show delays in development both physically and mentally.

Adults with the extreme loss of appetite and anorexia may experience hair loss due to overall lack of nutrients. The hair loss doesn't begin immediately but begins to occur approximately three months after the cessation of eating. Even if the person doesn't have anorexia, a B12 deficiency may be the only factor causing hair loss.

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