Vitamin B -benefits, needs, Deficiency

Vitamin A ||  Vitamin B1

• How Much to Get?   ||  Food Sources of Vitamin B12 ||  Vitamin B12 Deficiency ||  Pregnant or New Mom?  || Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency || Treatment || Prevention

There are many different types of vitamin B.

This section has information on:

1. thiamin (vitamin B1)
2. riboflavin (vitamin B2)
3. niacin (vitamin B3)
4. pantothenic acid
5. vitamin B6
6. biotin (vitamin B7)
7. folate and folic acid
8. vitamin B12

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Food Sources of Vitamin B12

• You can get vitamin B12 in animal foods, which have it naturally, or from items that have been fortified with it.Animal sources include dairy products, eggs, fish, meat, and poultry. If you’re looking for a food fortified with B12, check the product’s Nutrition Facts label.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

• those with alcohol dependence
• older adults
• those with HIV or AIDS
• those with diabetes
• those who have heart failure
• those who have had bariatric surgery

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

• weight loss
• little or no appetite
• memory problems or confusion
• heart problems
• tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
• loss of muscle mass
• poor reflexes

Pregnant woman

• Are you a pregnant woman on a vegan or vegetarian diet, and plan to only breastfeed your baby? You should talk to your doctor before you have your baby, so that you have a plan in place for how you’ll get enough vitamin B12 to keep your baby healthy.Without enough vitamin B12, your baby could have developmental delays and not thrive and grow like they should.

Treatment

• Are you a pregnant woman on a vegan or vegetarian diet, and plan to only breastfeed your baby? You should talk to your doctor before you have your baby, so that you have a plan in place for how you’ll get enough vitamin B12 to keep your baby healthy.

  Without enough vitamin B12, your baby could have developmental delays and not thrive and grow like they should.

Prevention

• Most people can prevent vitamin B12 deficiency by eating enough meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, and eggs.If you don’t eat animal products, or you have a medical condition that limits how well your body absorbs nutrients, you can take vitamin B12 in a multivitamin or other supplement and foods fortified with vitamin B12.

  If you choose to take vitamin B12 supplements, let your doctor know, so they can tell you how much you need, or make sure they won’t affect any medicines you’re taking.