Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for human health. It plays an important role in cells**, brain function, red blood cell formation, and more.
However, as older people age, their need for vitamin B12 also increases, and they are more likely to develop vitamin B12 deficiency. Therefore, vitamin B12 is especially important for the elderly.
Vitamin B12 is mainly released in the human body by gastric acid and pepsin, and then binds to a protein called intrinsic factor on the gastric mucosa to form a complex that is absorbed. However, as older people age, their ability to secrete gastric acid gradually decreases, resulting in impaired absorption of vitamin B12.
In addition, the gastric mucosa of the elderly will gradually become thinner, and the secretion of intrinsic factor will also decrease, further affecting the absorption of vitamin B12. As a result, older people are more likely to develop vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to a range of health problems, especially for older people, with more serious effects. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to symptoms such as anemia, neurological problems, memory loss, depression, etc.
Anemia is the most common manifestation of vitamin B12 deficiency, and since vitamin B12 is necessary for the formation of red blood cells, deficiency can lead to a decrease in the number of red blood cells, resulting in anemia.
Neurological problems include paresthesias, neuralgia, muscle weakness, and in severe cases, degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Memory loss and depression can affect the quality of life of older people and even increase the risk of dementia.
Therefore, the importance of vitamin B12 for the elderly cannot be ignored. Doctors recommend that older people should check their vitamin B12 levels regularly and take vitamin B12 supplements in a timely manner.
In general, vitamin B12 is best consumed through the diet, and the main foods include animal liver, meat, fish, eggs, etc. In addition, the elderly can also supplement with vitamin B12 tablets by mouth or by injection.