Vitamin B12 deficiency is common among the elderly. Elderly people are particularly at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency because of the high prevalence of atrophic gastritis-associated food-cobalamin (vitamin B12) malabsorption, and the increasing prevalence of pernicious anaemia with advancing age.

Why do older people lack B12?

Why are seniors at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency? As people get older, their ability to absorb vitamin B12 tends to decrease. This is because seniors often develop problems with the acids and stomach enzymes needed to process the vitamin.

What is the most likely reason for the development of B12 deficiency in an older person?

Mild vitamin B12 deficiency in otherwise healthy individuals can result from dietary patterns that result in insufficient dietary intake of animal source foods including strict vegetarian and vegan diets, or can be caused by changes in stomach function resulting from aging and/or pharmaceutical use [12].

What is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in adults?

However, the most common cause of vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia is a lack of a substance called intrinsic factor, which can be caused when your immune system mistakenly attacks the stomach cells that produce this substance. This type of anemia is called pernicious anemia.

Why do the elderly need more vitamin B12?

Good nutrition is an essential part of aging well. One of the most important aspects of good nutrition for the elderly is a healthy level of vitamin B12. Our bodies need this vitamin, also called cobalamin, to make parts of our DNA, to make red blood cells and to keep our nerve cells working well, among other things.

Who is most likely to have a B12 deficiency?

Who is at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency anemia?

• A family history of the disease.
• Having part or all of your stomach or intestine removed.
• Autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes.
• Crohn’s disease.
• HIV.
• Some medicines.
• Strict vegetarian diets.
• Being an older adult.

How much B12 does a senior need?

Recommended Vitamin B12 Dosage for Seniors A recent study found that for seniors, a daily dose of 500 micrograms was efficient in reversing the signs of B12 deficiency. In general, experts recommend 2.5 micrograms of vitamin B12 per day for people over the age of 14.

What is the most common reason that vitamin B12 deficiency occurs in older adults quizlet?

Inadequate stomach acid or medications that cause decreased stomach acid. A much more common cause of B12 deficiency, especially in older people, is a lack of stomach acid, because stomach acid is needed to liberate vitamin B12 from food.

Which factors contribute to vitamin B12 deficiency in the older adult?( Select all that apply?

Risk factors for vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia include:

• A family history of the disease.
• Having part or all of your stomach or intestine removed.
• Autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes.
• Crohn’s disease.
• HIV.
• Some medicines.
• Strict vegetarian diets.
• Being an older adult.

Why does vitamin B12 absorption decrease with age quizlet?

synthesis of vitamin B12 by intestinal bacteria. Older adults may produce less intrinsic factor, which may decrease vitamin B12 absorption. Vitamin B12 absorption is not affected by intestinal motility or bile production.

What are the symptoms of B12 deficiency?

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency

• a pale yellow tinge to your skin.
• a sore and red tongue (glossitis)
• mouth ulcers.
• pins and needles (paraesthesia)
• changes in the way that you walk and move around.
• disturbed vision.
• irritability.
• depression.

Is low B12 common?

Unfortunately, B12 deficiency is common, especially in the elderly. You’re at risk of deficiency if you don’t get enough from your diet or aren’t able to absorb enough from the food you eat. People at risk of a B12 deficiency include ( 2 ):

What causes B12 levels to drop?

You can get vitamin B12 deficiency anemia if you don’t get enough vitamin B12 in your diet from foods like milk, eggs, and meat. You’re more likely to be low in this vitamin if you’re older, or you eat a vegetarian diet. It can also happen if your body can’t absorb enough of it from the foods you eat.

Does vitamin B12 decrease with age?

Absorption of crystalline vitamin B12 does not decline with advancing age. However, compared with the younger population, absorption of protein-bound vitamin B12 is decreased in the elderly, owing to a high prevalence of atrophic gastritis in this age group.

Why is vitamin B12 important?

What is vitamin B12 and what does it do? Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps keep your body’s blood and nerve cells healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material in all of your cells. Vitamin B12 also helps prevent megaloblastic anemia, a blood condition that makes people tired and weak.