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What causes vitamin B12 deficiency?
Vitamin B12 deficiency happens when you don’t get enough vitamin B12 or when your body can’t properly consume the vitamin you do eat. Here are some of the most popular reasons of vitamin B12 deficiency:
- Diet low in vitamin B12: If your diet does not include foods high in vitamin B12 or products enhanced with this vitamin, you may be deficient.
- Stomach Inflammation (Gastritis): When the stomach lining is inflamed, it s the production of hydrochloric acid, which is required for the absorption of vitamin B12.
- Pernicious anemia: This is a rare condition where the body does not produce a protein called intrinsic factor, which is required for the absorption of vitamin B12.
- Digestive system diseases: Conditions such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease inhibit with the body’s ability to consume vitamin B12.
- Gastrointestinal surgery: After some surgeries, such as gastric bypass, the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12 is affected.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol use harms the digestive system, impacting the absorption of vitamin B12.
- Genetic problem with vitamin B12 transport: A rare condition called transcobalamin II deficiency prevents the proper transport of vitamin B12 in the body.
