Vitamin B12:A vitamin important for the normal formation of红细胞and the health of the nerve tissues. Undetected and untreatedvitamin B12deficiency can lead toanemiaand permanent nerve and brain damage.
Pernicious anemiais a blood disorder caused by inadequate vitamin B12 in the blood. Patients who have this disorder do not produce the protein substance in the stomach that allows the body toabsorbvitamin B12. This substance is calledintrinsicfactor (IF).
Patients withCrohn's diseaseinvolving thesmall intestine(Crohn's ileitis) or who have undergone small intestineresectionmay not be able to absorb vitamin B12.
严格的素食者不吃任何animal products can develop B12 deficiency since there is a lack of B12 in vegetables.
Also calledcobalamin.
