What stops the body absorbing vitamin B12?

[1] People who regularly take medications that suppress stomach acid for conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or peptic ulcer disease—such as proton-pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, or other antacids—may have difficulty absorbing vitamin B12 from food.


What causes B12 to not be absorbed?

Your body also might not absorb enough vitamin B12 if: You have a disease that affects how nutrients are absorbed in your intestines, such as Crohn's disease, HIV, or some infections. You have certain bad bacteria in your intestines. You take some medicines, such as antibiotics and anti-seizure drugs.

How do you know if your body is not absorbing B12?

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Weakness, tiredness, or lightheadedness. Heart palpitations and shortness of breath. Pale skin. A smooth tongue.


What happens if you cant metabolize B12?

Some people have inherited conditions that leave them unable to process vitamin B12, which is essential to human health. As a result they are prone to serious health problems, including developmental delay, psychosis, stroke, and dementia.

What is the fastest way to fix B12 deficiency?

How to raise your B12 levels fast. The most common way to treat B12 deficiencies is by adjusting your diet. If this is unsuccessful, vitamin supplements may be recommended. If you're looking to boost the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, you should eat more animal products, like meat, seafood, dairy and eggs.


Vitamin B12 Absorption & Metabolism | 2 Enzymes That Require Vitamin B12



Does caffeine inhibit B12 absorption?

Furthermore, caffeine interferes with the metabolism of certain B vitamins, including thiamine. However, because caffeine increases stomach acid secretion, it actually boosts the absorption of vitamin B12.

Can I drink coffee if I take vitamin B12?

No interactions were found between caffeine and Vitamin B12.

What depletes your B vitamins?

Here's a roundup of 4 of the top causes of vitamin B deficiency: a non-balanced diet, excessive alcohol consumption, various medications (such as proton-pump inhibitors, or PPIs), and gut malabsorption conditions.


What foods inhibit vitamin B absorption?

What Are the Vitamin B Robbers?
  • Refined Sugars and Starches. A diet rich in refined sugars and starches tends to deplete your body of vitamins in general but hits the B-complex vitamins especially hard. ...
  • Alcohol. ...
  • Caffeine. ...
  • Stress. ...
  • Medications.


What causes malabsorption of B vitamins?

The main causes of B12 malabsorption include inherited disorders (Intrinsic factor deficiency, Imerslund-Gräsbeck disease, Addison's pernicious anemia, obesity, bariatric surgery and gastrectomies.

Can stress deplete B12?

Stress is known to deplete our levels of B vitamins, especially vitamin B12. Vegetarians, vegans and those on restricted diets can struggle to get enough vitamin B12 to meet their body's needs.


What can you not mix B12 with?

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) can decrease the amount of vitamin B12 you absorb. Avoid taking large doses of vitamin C within one hour before or after taking this product.

What causes B12 deficiency in older adults?

Mild vitamin B12 deficiency in otherwise healthy individuals can result from dietary patterns that result in insufficient dietary intake of animal source foods including strict vegetarian and vegan diets, or can be caused by changes in stomach function resulting from aging and/or pharmaceutical use [12].

What vitamins are depleted by caffeine?

Caffeine has a mild diuretic effect, which leads to an increase in urination. As a result, water-soluble vitamins, such as B-vitamins and vitamin C can be depleted due to fluid loss. Research also demonstrated that the higher the level of caffeine, the more it interfered with vitamin D absorption.


How quickly can B12 levels drop?

Unlike most other vitamins, B12 is stored in substantial amounts, mainly in the liver, until it is needed by the body. If a person stops consuming the vitamin, the body's stores of this vitamin usually take about 3 to 5 years to exhaust.

How quickly does vitamin B12 deplete?

If the body properly uses B12, studies show it can stay in the body for up to five years. Of course, the vitamin B12 shots themselves do not stay in the body for five years. The vitamin is more quickly absorbed when administered in injection format, but this is also what makes it so effective for weight loss.

What foods should be avoided if you have B12 deficiency?

There are certain foods that also need a cut-down in case of vitamin B12 deficiency. “Some foods and drinks can interfere with vitamin B complex intake like alcohol, caffeine and processed foods, etc should be avoided completely,” Shah added.


Does caffeine affect vitamin B absorption?

Conclusions: Coffee consumption was associated with reduced circulating B-vitamin concentrations. The observed effect profiles indicated that coffee consumption preferentially affected the upper, but not the lower, part of the B-vitamin concentration distributions.

How long after taking B12 can I drink coffee?

Some beverages, including coffee, contain substances that could interfere with the absorption of some of the nutrients in your vitamin. It's better to drink your coffee about 15 minutes before or a few hours after you take your vitamin.

What vitamins are depleted by caffeine?

Caffeine has a mild diuretic effect, which leads to an increase in urination. As a result, water-soluble vitamins, such as B-vitamins and vitamin C can be depleted due to fluid loss. Research also demonstrated that the higher the level of caffeine, the more it interfered with vitamin D absorption.


What causes B12 deficiency in older adults?

Mild vitamin B12 deficiency in otherwise healthy individuals can result from dietary patterns that result in insufficient dietary intake of animal source foods including strict vegetarian and vegan diets, or can be caused by changes in stomach function resulting from aging and/or pharmaceutical use [12].

When is the best time to take vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12

As a general rule of thumb, take your B vitamins in the morning or with a meal. Vitamin B12, for example, should definitely be taken in the morning. This is because it is important for energy metabolism, which may interrupt your sleep if taken at night.

Does coffee stop absorption of vitamins?

The tannins and caffeine can interfere with the absorption of many vitamins and minerals, especially iron. Caffeine also increases urination, which can decrease the concentration of water-soluble vitamins (B-complex and C). So, wait an hour after your morning brew to take supplements.


Which vitamins should not be taken together?

What vitamins should not be taken together?
  • Magnesium and calcium. ...
  • Iron and green tea. ...
  • Vitamin C and B12. ...
  • Fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. ...
  • Vitamin D, vitamin K2, and other fat-soluble vitamins. ...
  • Magnesium and vitamin D3. ...
  • Copper and zinc. ...
  • Omega-3s and vitamin E.


How long does it take B12 to be absorbed?

B12 injections work quickly; they are the most effective way for your body to absorb Vitamin B12. Within 48 to 72 hours, your body will begin to make new red blood cells. For mild deficiencies, you may need two to three injections over several weeks to notice peak impact.