Now Reading: Meat eaters can still suffer vitamin B12 deficiency due to poor absorption
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Meat eaters can still suffer vitamin B12 deficiency due to poor absorption
Meat eaters can still suffer vitamin B12 deficiency due to poor absorption
Eating meat does not guarantee adequate vitamin B12 levels, as poor absorption rather than inadequate intake can cause deficiency, said Dr J Saravanan, gastroenterologist at VS Hospitals.
Eating meat does not guarantee adequate vitamin B12 levels, as poor absorption rather than inadequate intake can cause deficiency, said Dr J Saravanan, gastroenterologist at VS Hospitals.
Absorption is a complex process requiring stomach acid to release B12 from proteins, binding to intrinsic factor, and uptake in the terminal ileum. Conditions like atrophic gastritis, pernicious anaemia, Crohn's disease, and long-term use of proton-pump inhibitors or metformin can block this process. Age also increases risk.
Low B12 may cause fatigue, numbness, balance problems or cognitive issues without obvious anaemia. Doctors should investigate gastric disorders, autoimmune disease or medication use as root causes, not merely treat the lab value, said Dr Saravanan.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Vitamin B12 absorption hinges on stomach acid, intrinsic factor, and a healthy ileum, not just intake. Atrophic gastritis or pernicious anaemia, an autoimmune condition that destroys intrinsic-factor-producing stomach cells, can derail absorption even in heavy meat eaters. Long-term use of proton-pump inhibitors for acidity or metformin for diabetes, both common prescriptions in India, adds further risk. Neurological symptoms such as numbness or cognitive fog may appear without the classic anaemia, making deficiency easy to miss. A doctor assessing low B12 should test for gastric disorders and consider a malabsorption workup, not just recommend dietary changes, because treating the root cause, not the number, prevents recurrence.
Source: timesnownews.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
