Vitamin-B Deficiency
INTRODUCTION
Vitamin B is a group of eight water-soluble vitamins. These vitamins are essential for many different kinds of metabolic processes and are not stored or produced by the body. That is why they must be consumed in daily life diet.
Different types of vitamin B are:
- Thiamin (B1)
- Riboflavin (B2)
- Niacin (B3)
- Pantothenic acid (B5)
- Pyridoxine (B6)
- Biotin (B7)
- Folate or Folic acid (B9)
- Cyanocobalamin (B12)
Every vitamin has its effect on the human body. The deficiency of each vitamin will affect the body like Thiamin causes a beriberi condition, which affects the nervous system and cardiovascular system.
CAUSES
As mentioned in the introduction, every vitamin present in vitamin B has its causative agents. Some of those causes are:
- Thiamin (B1) deficiency Excessive alcohol consumption
- Poor diet
- Riboflavin (B2) deficiency
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- No consumption of milk or dairy products
- Niacin (B3) deficiency
- Diet based on corn
- Digestive problems in which the body does not absorb niacin
- Pantothenic acid (B5) deficiency
- Infrequent (no causes)
- Pyridoxine (B6) deficiency
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Contraceptive pills (mostly in women)
- Thyroid disease (mostly in older adults)
- Biotin (B7) deficiency
- Overconsumption of raw egg whites
- Cyanocobalamin (B12) deficiency
- Vegan diet
All of these causes can induce Vitamin B deficiency either collectively or individually. The most common cause of this type of deficiency is the consumption of alcohol in a daily routine.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of vitamin B deficiency also depend on the type of vitamin. As every vitamin has its causes, every vitamin will also its signs and symptoms.
Vitamin B1 & B2 deficiency
It is rare because of milk and whole-grain cereals. The most common symptoms are confusion and cracks on the side of the mouth.
Vitamin B3 deficiency
Severe deficiency can lead to pellagra, a condition with red or brown rough skin in the sun, bright red tongue, hallucinations, and vomiting.
Vitamin B6 deficiency
Anemia, skin rashes, dermatitis, depression, and nausea.
Vitamin B9 deficiency
Megaloblastic anemia, irritability, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, color-changing hair, nail, or skin.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, numbness in hands or feet, poor memory, soreness of mouth or tongue
DIAGNOSIS
The healthcare professionals make the diagnosis of Vitamin B deficiency with the help of laboratories. The most common method to check this deficiency is a blood test, i.e., complete blood count.
Besides this, vitamin B12 levels and intrinsic factor antibodies can also be checked to complete the diagnosis. A urine test is also done to check the deficiency of Vitamin B in the human body. Proper diagnosis is required for the proper treatment because of eight different vitamins present in the Vitamin B group.
TREATMENT
We know that vitamin B is present richly in natural food items. The essential step involved in the treatment of this deficiency is to stop the consumption of alcohol. Along with the stoppage of alcohol, the nutritionist gives a proper diet plan to overcome the deficiency of any specific Vitamin B.
The familiar sources of each vitamin B are:
Vitamin B1
Wholemeal cereals, nuts, yeast, pork
Vitamin B2
Milk, yogurt, egg white, leafy green vegetables, meat, cottage cheese.
Vitamin B3
Fish, poultry, milk, mushrooms, all protein-containing foods.
Vitamin B5
Meat, peanuts, legumes, milk.
Vitamin B6
Cereal grains, shellfish, nuts, fruit, meat.
Vitamin B7
Cauliflower, egg yolks, chicken, mushroom.
Vitamin B9
Seeds, eggs, cereals, citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin B12
Meat, milk, cheese, eggs.