There are many health problems that can leave you feeling tired all the time. But if it’s something that goes together with skin paleness, then there is a possibility that you are suffering from anemia. However, it’s only by consulting a doctor and undergoing certain tests that the real problem can be identified.
When a person is feeling tired constantly and at the same time has pale skin, one of the things that a doctor will do is to have his or her blood checked in the laboratory. Chances are the individual’s red blood cell or RBC count will be less than optimum, which means that he or she is suffering from anemia.
According to medical professionals, there are many different types of anemia. One of them is brought about by vitamin B12 deficiency. If such is the case, then the health problem is referred to as vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
So why does being deficient in vitamin B12 can cause anemia?
Well, everybody knows that iron is important for the production of RBCs. However, not too many people are aware of the fact that there is another nutrient that is necessitated by the body for the production of RBCs, and that’s vitamin B12.
It is very much possible for an individual to suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency that can lead to anemia when his or her diet does not include a lot of foods that contain vitamin B12. As a result, the body ends up producing less and less RBCs. Time will come when the person will have insufficient RBC count in the blood, resulting in anemia.
One way to keep at bay vitamin b12 deficiency anemia or even have it reversed is by including more foods in the diet that are rich in vitamin B12. Some wonderful examples include:
Beef liver
Grass-fed beef
Lamb
Feta cheese
Cottage cheese
Wild-caught salmon
Mackerel
Sardines
Eggs
Do take note that many of the food sources of vitamin B12 are high in saturated fat and cholesterol. So what does one do if he or she needs to include vitamin B12-containing foods in the diet but is told to carefully watch his or her intake of saturated fat and cholesterol? This is when supplementing with vitamin B12 comes into the picture.
However, just like when taking any dietary supplement available out there, it’s a good idea for anyone to first consult a doctor beforehand, especially if he or she has a medical condition.
Unfortunately, it’s not always that preventing or treating vitamin B12 deficiency anemia can be as simple as including more vitamin B12-rich foods in the diet on a regular basis. That’s because there are certain cases of the said anemia type that can be due to an underlying medical condition, and not simply a diet that’s lacking in vitamin B12.
One problem that may give rise to vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is something that entails the destruction of the cells in the intestines that assist in the absorption of vitamin B12, and such can cause what’s known as pernicious anemia. Various other issues with food absorption as well as certain forms of surgery for weight reduction can also be the culprit behind vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.
Needless to say, seeing a doctor to have the underlying problem dealt with is the only way to manage anemia that is brought about by your body’s failure to absorb vitamin B12.
