The unique vitamin B12 is relatively new in the science community. It is actually the most recent vitamin to have been discovered. It was discovered in its pure form in the year 1948.

In the year 1820, a disease was reported that was called pernicious anemia. The only known prevention for this disease was an “extrinsic factor”, which basically means a compound that had to be ingested. It wasn’t until 100 years later in the 1920’s that, through an extract of liver, the “extrinsic factor” was identified as the cure to the disease. Then a few years later, the cure was officially identified as vitamin B12.

The vitamin B12 is unique in the sense that it is more complicated to absorb and digest. In order for a human to absorb adequate amounts, there are three components that are crucial. In the case that one of these three components is missing, the only option left to prevent a deficiency is through injections.

The first component needed may seem like the most obvious, the stomach. It is a little known fact that the stomach is not actually necessary for a human to live because many nutrients are actually absorbed in the small intestine. Though this is not the case with vitamin B12. In order for the vitamin to be absorbed correctly, there must be a combination of “intrinsic factor” and the “extrinsic factor”. The “extrinsic factor” is vitamin B12, and the stomach produces the “intrinsic factor”.

Why would someone need to have his or her stomach removed? Well this may occur when one has severe ulcers, polyps, or cancer. Once the stomach has been removed, absorbing B12 orally is impossible. No matter how much the person eats it will never be absorbed. This is when injections of the vitamin are required.

The second component that is required for the abortion of vitamin B12 is stomach acid. In order for the intrinsic and extrinsic factors to combine, this acid is especially necessary. When lacking in stomach acid, a person than becomes B12 deficient. In order to prevent pernicious anemia, monthly injections of vitamin B12 are needed.

There are a number of causes for low stomach acid. One of which is condition commonly present in the elderly, called achlorhydria. Another cause can occur when antacid medications are taken over a consistently long period of time.

The last component that is necessary is a functioning terminal ileum, which is located right before the GI track in the last section of the small intestine. This is the area of the small intestine where the vitamin B12 is actually absorbed.

Removal of the ileum is needed when a person has Crohn’s disease, which causes inflammation. Also other chronic bowel irritations can lead to the removal of this part of the small intestine. Any inflammation or scarring of the ileum will cause the vitamin to not be absorbed adequately. All of these conditions lead a requirement of vitamin B12 injection, which in the end can save the persons life.

There are many myths surround vitamin B12. Some say that if you are fatigued all the time you need vitamin B12 injections, even though you have not been diagnosed with a B12 deficiency. Others say that vegetarians that are very strict in their diets (meaning they do not consume any animal products) need injection because they do not get a sufficient amount of vitamin B12.

This is simply not true. It is correct that B12 is only found in animal products, but the truth of the matter is, there are other ways to orally receive vitamin B12. Examples of this are certain nutritional yeasts and cereals that are packed with B vitamins.

Another option that strict vegetarians have at their disposal is taking the vitamin B12 daily in the form of a pill. If there is no problem absorbing the vitamin, this is a perfectly acceptable substitute for injections.

So what circumstances can cause a person to need injections of this vitamin? This can only occur if one of the three components is missing in the person’s body. As long as he or she has their stomach, their stomach acid, and their terminal ileum, the body is perfectly capable of absorbing the vitamin orally. Injections of vitamin B12 can only cure a B12 deficiency. Contrary to popular belief, the injections will not change any symptoms, including low energy.

It is wise to see your doctor to identify the source of a problem before starting any injection treatments. How can one check for a possible deficiency disease? This can be done through a very simple lab test that is called MCV (mean corpuscular volume). This test basically tests for megaloblastic anemia, which is when the red blood cells are not dividing and also multiplying at the correct rate. This could potentially indicate the presence of pernicious anemia, the only need for having vitamin B12 injections.

Related Articles

• Memory Loss Due to Vitamin B12 Deficiency
• Pernicious Anemia and the Lack of B12
• Are You Anemic Because of a B12 Deficiency?
• B12 may be taken in pill form
• A doctor will determine the maximum B12 dosage
• Can the Body Become Depleted of Vitamin B12 When on a Vegan Diet?
• B12 inections typically last for one month

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