Who else may need a vitamin B12 supplement to prevent a deficiency?
Individuals with pernicious anemia or with gastrointestinal disorders may benefit from or require a vitamin B12 supplement. Older adults and vegetarians may benefit from a vitamin B12 supplement or an increased intake of foods fortified with vitamin B12. Some medications may decrease absorption of vitamin B12. Chronic use of those medications may result in a need for additional vitamin B12. Individuals with pernicious anemia Anemia is a condition that occurs when there is insufficient hemoglobin in red blood cells to carry oxygen to cells and tissues. Common signs and symptoms of anemia include fatigue and weakness. Anemia can result from a variety of medical problems, including deficiencies of vitamin B12, vitamin B6, folic acid and iron. Pernicious anemia is the name given more than a century ago to describe the then-fatal vitamin B12 deficiency anemia that results from severe gastric atrophy, a condition that prevents gastric cells from secreting intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor i
