B12 Deficiency and Your Gut Health

Vitamin deficiency is a serious issue. Getting too few essential vitamins can make you more susceptible to various diseases and health issues. In particular, vitamin B12 is vital to your gut health, and not getting enough can lead to several gastrointestinal (GI) problems. Once you understand why B12 is crucial to your gut health and what causes B12 deficiency, you’ll be more equipped to maintain healthy amounts of B12.

Why We Need Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 helps the cells in our bodies reproduce and supports nervous system functioning. It’s also essential for a healthy gut microbiome. The glands in your stomach must secrete acids and proteins to absorb B12 and carry out many metabolic processes.

When we don’t get enough of this complex vitamin, our gut can experience many changes. Vitamin B12 deficiency can result in many GI problems, such as excess gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea.

The primary way to replenish B12 in your system is through diet and supplementation. Once enough enters your system again, you can usually reverse the harmful effects of B12 deficiency.

What Causes B12 Deficiency?

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a significant public health problem. Here are the prevalent causes and risk factors associated with diminished amounts of B12 in the body:

Diet

Diet is the most common contributor to B12 deficiency. A vegan or similar diet may be a culprit due to the lack of animal proteins, even though plant-based meals are generally good for you. Drinking alcohol to excess can also lead to B12 deficiency, as can insufficient amounts of B12-rich foods like dairy or eggs.

Besides diet, there are other reasons for the lack of B12, which contribute to an inability to absorb the vitamin in the small intestine and terminal ileum, the section that leads to the colon. Here are common non-dietary causes of B12 deficiency:

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory condition that creates small intestine and colon ulcerations. It can also decrease your B12 levels, especially if Crohn’s affects the terminal ileum. Having surgery to remove some of the terminal ileum or taking some medications can put a patient at greater risk for B12 deficiency.

Pernicious Anemia

Low B12 levels can also stem from pernicious anemia, an autoimmune disease of the stomach. This condition makes it difficult for the stomach’s glands to secrete essential proteins that absorb B12. A doctor can usually detect pernicious anemia through endoscopy.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

People undergoing a serious surgical procedure like a gastric bypass may end up with low B12 levels. That’s because the surgery significantly decreases the acids and proteins necessary for B12 absorption.

Getting More B12 Vitamins with Help from an Integrative Medical Clinic

If you’re at high risk for B12 deficiency, there are several ways to treat the problem. If the cause is dietary, you can increase your consumption of foods rich in this vitamin. If a non-diet condition is to blame, you can take oral supplements, receive vitamin B12 IV therapy, or consult our nutritional counseling team.

A vitamin B12 deficiency can have severe effects on your gut microbiome. If you experience any signs of low B12, contact Blatman Health and Wellness Center today. Our holistic medical team can discover the root cause of your deficiency and put you on the path to renewed health for your gut and overall wellness. Your personal treatment plan will target important areas like nutritional needs, metal toxicity, or food sensitivities.