One common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in men is a lack of dietary intake of foods rich in vitamin B12, such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
Certain gastrointestinal disorders, such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and gastric bypass surgery, can affect the absorption of vitamin B12 in the body, leading to deficiency.
Pernicious anaemia, an autoimmune condition, can interfere with the production of intrinsic factor, a protein necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the intestines.
As men age, the production of stomach acid and intrinsic factors can decline, impairing the absorption of vitamin B12 from food sources and increasing the risk of deficiency.
Chronic alcohol consumption can damage the lining of the stomach and impair the production of intrinsic factors, resulting in decreased absorption of vitamin B12.
Certain medications, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and metformin (used to treat diabetes), can interfere with vitamin B12 absorption or increase its excretion, leading to deficiency.
Men with malabsorption syndromes, such as inflammatory bowel disease or pancreatic insufficiency, may have impaired absorption of vitamin B12.
Infections caused by parasites, such as fish tapeworm or giardia lamblia, can interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12 and contribute to deficiency in men.
Some rare genetic disorders, like transcobalamin deficiency or homocystinuria, can affect the metabolism or transport of vitamin B12, leading to deficiency in affected men.
Men who follow strict vegetarian or vegan diets are at a higher risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency, as plant-based foods do not provide sufficient amounts of this vitamin.
More Stories