Vitamin B12 is not the first to come to mind when you think of the vitamins that your body requires daily. It contributes significantly to the maintenance of the health of your nerves, the ability of your body to produce red blood cells, and the process of DNA formation. In recent years, though, doctors have been finding something interesting. Other The post Can Vitamin B12 Deficiency Be a Sign of Cancer? appeared first on CKS Hospital.
Vitamin B12 is not the first to come to mind when you think of the vitamins that your body requires daily. It contributes significantly to the maintenance of the health of your nerves, the ability of your body to produce red blood cells, and the process of DNA formation. In recent years, though, doctors have been finding something interesting. Other health issues are also common among many individuals with very low levels of Vitamin B12. This has left many people with one simple yet critical question, which is: Can Vitamin B12 deficiency be an indicator of cancer? We need to learn how B12 functions in the body, why the deficiency occurs, as well as what is actually said by the research before we jump to conclusions. A possible connection between low levels of B12 and certain cancers has been studied recently. However, the evidence is not always conclusive. Nevertheless, it is something to be learned. Let us reduce it all to common sense.
Understanding Vitamin B12 and Its Role in the Body
There are numerous functions of vitamin B12 in the body. Here is what it does:
- Makes your body produce red blood cells
- Supports healthy nerves
- Helps in DNA formation
- Stimulates your mental processes
- Facilitates general cell development and repair
Vitamin B12 is mostly obtained through food. The main sources include:
- Meat
- Fish
- Eggs
- Dairy products
- Fortified cereals
- Some milk items of plant origin
The following are the populations that are at greatest risk of low vitamin B12:
- Vegans and vegetarians
- Older adults
- People who have issues with their stomachs or bowels
- Individuals who underwent digestive surgery recently
- Individuals who are on some medicines that reduce absorption
Due to the evolving food lifestyles, digestive complications, and lifestyles, the lack of Vitamin B12 has become an international issue.
Common Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
When you type the reasons why someone could be deficient in vitamin B12, you will find that there are a lot of options. Here are the most common ones:
- Bad diet, particularly among individuals who do not consume animal products
- Pernicious anaemia is a condition that is related to absorption
- GI diseases such as Celiac disease and Crohn’s disease
- Some medications like metformin and acid-reducing (PPIs) drugs
- Alcohol abuse
- Intestinal malhealth or insufficient stomach acid
These complications may decrease absorption and ultimately result in low levels of B12.
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
The symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency may be delayed and not severe initially. They may progress to be more severe in the course of time.
Mild symptoms include:
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Headaches
- Poor concentration
Moderate symptoms include:
- Pale skin
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations
- Loss of appetite
Severe symptoms include:
- Pins-and-needles in hands and feet
- Memory problems
- Mood changes
- Balance issues
- Vision problems
- Sore or swollen tongue
These symptoms may resemble most of the other health conditions, and that is why the testing is essential.
The Link Between Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Cancer
It has been debated much whether Vitamin B12 deficiency is linked to cancer or not. Here is what you need to know.
According to some studies, individuals with extremely low Vitamin B12 levels are at risk of developing some cancers. The reason may be as simple as the following: Vitamin B12 assists in the formation of DNA. In the case that DNA is not formed correctly, the cell can be damaged. The damaged cells may at times evolve into cancer cells.
This does not, however, imply that B12 deficiency necessarily causes cancer. This connection has two aspects:
- Certain cancers may decrease the absorption of B12, e.g. stomach or pancreatic cancers. This implies that the deficiency is cancer-induced, as opposed to a cause.
- Otherwise, chronic deficiency might contribute insignificantly to DNA alterations and can be a risk factor.
Let us look at this in detail.
Can Vitamin B12 Deficiency Be a Sign of Cancer?
In some cases, yes. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be a symptom of another problem of health problem, such as stomach or intestinal cancer. Such cancers influence the absorption of nutrients by the body and thus the body may have low B12 levels. However, one should keep in mind that the majority of the victims of B12 deficiency lack cancer. The shortage can be due to diet, age or other medical problems.
Types of Cancer Associated with Low B12 Levels
The following are some cancers that are associated with low B12 levels:
- Gastric cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Liver cancer
- Breast cancer
- Certain blood cancers
The correlation is not necessarily high, yet it is under investigation.
What Studies Say: Evidence and Limitations
This is what studies indicate thus far:
- Some of the studies have identified a trend in which low B12 levels are associated with increased susceptibility to some cancers.
- Other investigations did not have a strong relationship.
- Results can be lost in the absorption issue because of cancer.
- There is a need to do more, bigger and long-term studies.
Therefore, the connection can be determined, though not ascertained.
To get to know more about the foods that can assist in increasing the levels of B12, visit our associated post: Foods Rich in Vitamin B12.
When to Get Tested for Vitamin B12 Deficiency
A test might be required in case of such symptoms as fatigue, poor memory, or numbness. The following are the ones who should consider testing:
- Individuals having digestive issues
- People who are vegetarian or vegan
- Older adults
- Individuals taking metformin or acid-blocker medication
- Cause of unexplained weakness or nerve symptoms in anyone
The average Vitamin B12 ranges between 200 and 900 pg/ml. However, your doctor can prescribe other tests that include:
- Methylmalonic acid (MMA)
- Homocysteine
These tests help determine whether your cells are indeed B12-deficient.
A medical specialist should always be consulted to undergo a proper diagnosis.
How to Treat and Prevent Vitamin B12 Deficiency
The mode of treatment is dependent on the cause. Deficiency can be treated and prevented in the following ways:
- Consuming a healthy diet that contains B12
- Taking oral supplements
- Vitamin B12 injection in case of poor absorption
- Reconstruction of the digestive system
- Reducing alcohol intake
- Monitoring B12-influencing medicines
The dietetics and Internal Medicine staff of CKS Hospital – Best Multispeciality Hospital in Jaipur offer individualised nutrition and treatment programs to bring optimal levels of B12 safely.
When Vitamin B12 Deficiency Might Indicate Something More Serious
Low levels of B12 can sometimes indicate underlying health issues. These include:
- Pernicious anaemia
- Absorption problems in the gut that are severe
- Chronic digestive diseases
- Gastrointestinal cancers (stomach or intestines)
You should seek medical assistance in case of the following:
- Very fast weight loss
- Severe weakness
- Blood in stool
- Problems with eating or swallowing
- Ongoing stomach discomfort
Bear in mind that a deficit is not necessarily cancer. Never to be neglected, though.
Key Takeaways
- Vitamin B12 deficiency is widespread and is often dietary or malabsorption-induced
- Sometimes low levels of B12 can be an indication of more serious problems, such as some cancers
- Complications are prevented by early testing and appropriate medical treatment
- CKS Hospital has all-around care of diagnosis, care, and nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Does Vitamin B12 deficiency result in cancer?
Not directly. However, in the long run, deficiency can contribute insignificantly to the destruction of DNA.
Q2. What are the cancers associated with Vitamin B12 deficiency?
Primarily gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, and certain breast cancers.
Q3. Is Vitamin B12 deficiency a result of cancer?
Yes. Others impact on the stomach or intestines, and this lowers absorption.
Q4. What are the ways of increasing Vitamin B12 naturally?
Consume meat, fish, eggs and dairy or fortified foods. Supplements also help.
Q5. Do I need to be concerned about the low level of B12?
It is not always the case, but you need to be checked to diagnose the cause.
The post Can Vitamin B12 Deficiency Be a Sign of Cancer? appeared first on CKS Hospital.
