A healthy person has a minimum of three bowel movements per week, according to Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Fewer bowel movements may indicate you are constipated. Lack of the essential vitamin B-12 is a potential cause of constipation, but you should consult your doctor as there could be many possible reasons why you are constipated. Symptoms of vitamin B-12 begin so mildly that you might not even notice them at first. A lack of vitamin B-12 interferes with your body's ability to make red blood cells. Insufficient red blood cells causes anemia, or weak blood. As time passes and you get older, your symptoms can become more severe as the anemia worsens. This potentially causes constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, an upset stomach and feeling lightheaded. If you continue to not get enough vitamin B-12, constipation will be the least of your worries. Supplements can both prevent and treat a vitamin B-12 deficiency. A simple blood test performed by a doctor tells you if you have too little vitamin B-12 in your blood.
Supplements given in pill form orally, injections given intramuscularly, or through the muscles, or intranasally through the nose. Pills are typically easier than injections. You need a prescription for injections and for some oral B-12 supplements, depending on the strength. Follow your physician's advice on what form of supplement to take and how much to take, as dosages vary due to age and level of deficiency. Eating foods that are sources of vitamin B-12 can also raise your B-12 levels along with supplements. A varied diet consisting of milk products, meat and eggs is beneficial for vitamin B-12 deficiencies. Eating certain foods always reduces constipation, says Vic Shayne, M.D., in an article published in September 2007 by the Nutrition Research Center. These foods include raw fruits, particularly apples, healthy oils and fats, such as flaxseed oil, wheat germ oil and coconut butter, and water to counteract the lack of moisture typical of constipation. Certain foods can contribute to constipation.
Alcohol and processed foods are drying agents that soak up moisture, thereby contributing to constipation, says Shayne. Some foods like beef that may contain vitamin B-12 can also contribute to constipation, so you should eat other foods with B-12. Also avoid spicy foods, cake, rolls, bagels, doughnuts and breads as these contribute to constipation, as well. Diet for Chronic Constipation Herbs to Help Bowel Movements What Vitamins and Supplements Can Cause Constipation? Can Vitamin B Complex Cause Bloating? Castor Oil or Olive Oil for Constipation Vitamins That Relieve Constipation Is Constipation a Side Effect of Vitamin D? Folic Acid and Constipation Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Women The Relation Between IBS and a Vitamin B12 Deficiency When High Fiber Diet Doesn't Relieve Constipation Does Vitamin B-12 Cause Diarrhea? Herbal Teas That Treat Constipation What Are the Side Effects of Super B Complex? List of Constipating Foods
Foods That Cause Hard Stools Can Eating Carbohydrates Cause Constipation?Side effects are possible for any food, supplement, or medication, and everyone reacts differently to different products. Vitamin C, for example, may promote loosening of the bowels if taken in excess, and too much niacin (B3) may cause a disagreeable flushing. Experiencing unpleasant side effects of a supplement is by no means enjoyable, and it’s best for consumers to do their research before diving into any supplement approach. Generally, the worst side effects for vitamins–including B vitamins–are diarrhea, nausea, rashes, and vomiting. Does vitamin B12 have any side effects? Here’s what you need to know. Let’s quickly give a brief overview of how vitamin B12 is absorbed. High doses of vitamin B12 have a low absorption rate when taken orally. To survive the digestive process, B12 must connect with intrinsic factor before it can enter the system. The amount of B12 that does get absorbed is directly related to the amount of intrinsic factor available.
[2] Oral ingestion of large amounts of B12 is highly unlikely to cause an issue, as not all B12 survives this process. Even sublingual absorption (absorption through tissues of the mouth) doesn’t reach levels which would be of cause for concern. Deficiency can result for a couple of reasons. Inadequate dietary consumption of foods containing B12 such as red meat, fish, or dairy products–an issue for many vegetarians and vegans–can lead to deficiency. An inability to digest B12 as a result of low levels of intrinsic factor–for either genetic reasons or a result of physical damage to the stomach or small intestine–can also cause deficiency. Common symptoms include numbness in the hands and feet, moodiness, memory problems, dementia, poor red blood cell formation, impaired DNA function, and fatigue. B12 occurs naturally in three forms: methylcobalamin, adenosylcobalamin, and hydroxocobalamin. Cyanocobalamin was created years ago in a lab using cyanide as a means for stabilization, and many low-quality supplements include this form.
Injections are commonly used for individuals suffering from an inability to digest and absorb B12. Many individuals who have chosen a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle become B12 deficient as a result of eliminating natural dietary sources; still, many meat eaters today are also surprisingly deficient. Some side effects have been reported for patients receiving cyanocobalamin injection. These include itching, acne, nausea, diarrhea, vascular thrombosis, headache, nervousness, and dizziness. Based on studies involving individuals, it appears 1 mg of cyanocobalamin via injection does not create any notable side effects. No adverse or toxic reactions for vitamin B12 have occurred in individuals through dietary consumption or supplement use. The US Food and Nutrition Board have not established any upper safety limits for B12 in healthy people. Although you should always check with your doctor before starting a new supplement routine, supplementation with B12 is considered safe. Watch an In-Depth Video onEverything You Need to Know About Vitamin B-12Video Length: