Anaemia is a health condition caused by having low haemoglobin or red blood cells in the blood. If anaemia is due to lack of vitamin B12 in the body, it is called vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia. Vitamin B12 is an essential agent in the production of red blood cells. This vitamin also maintains health of the arteries. Without enough vitamin B12 in the system, the body will not be able to produce enough red blood cells which also cause them to be abnormal in just a shorter period. Red blood cells are the main agents in the distribution and transportation of oxygen and nutrients in the body. If the cells in the body lack oxygen, anaemia will occur. Learn more about this illness and common b12 deficiency causes from http://www.b12deficiencycauses.org.
Often, b12 deficiency causes are poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle. The most common cause of deficiency in vitamin B12 is pernicious anaemia. Pernicious anaemia is a condition when the body is no longer capable of absorbing enough amounts of vitamin B12 from ingested foods. In the normal state of the body, the intrinsic factor protein works with vitamin B12. This intrinsic factor is naturally produced in the stomach. This protein brings this vitamin B12 to the blood stream. A person who has pernicious anaemia has damaged stomach cells which will create damages to the intrinsic factor. Once intrinsic factor is damaged, the body cannot efficiently absorb vitamin B12 which makes the person ill with anaemia.
Pernicious anaemia is an illness caused by the antibodies that attack the immune system of the body hence this condition is an autoimmune disease. It then causes inflammation of the cells because the immune system attacks itself for mistakenly identifying its tissues as foreign bodies. People with pernicious anaemia suffer from inflammation in the stomach lining. It has been said that this condition is can also be inherited and mostly shows up when the person reaches the age of 60. It is very common to patients who have an existing condition of Addison’s disease.
Our diet plays a big role in causing vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia and is very common to vegans. Their diet makes them at risks to having this disease because they do not eat foods that are good sources of vitamin B12 especially meats. Another condition that can cause vitamin B12 deficiency is Crohn’s disease. Once this illness affects the small bowel, the absorption of vitamin B12 is damaged. To avoid this disease, it is also important that the liver stays in good condition. Parasites in the bowel and removal of some parts in the stomach also interferes proper vitamin B12 absorption.
With all these vitamin B12 deficiency causes stated, you must now be able to guard yourself from having this illness. You can however take supplements of this vitamin. Ask your doctor about this health concern that you have.