I have often written about NCDs in the Solomon Islands and the way an inappropriate diet containing too much fat and sugar continues to hasten the onset of NCD linked diseases, especially heart issues, high blood pressure and cancer.
NCDs illnesses are putting too much of a strain on local health services, the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in particular and a leading cause of premature deaths in the Solomon Islands.
Diet control is essential and so is physical exercise if NCDs are to be reduced.
When referring to diet, I have learned that early research has shown that vitamin B12 might have a beneficial effect in blood sugar control in people with diabetes.
I thought I would take a closer look at vitamin B12 for the information of our hard working doctors and the MHMS.
This is what I discovered today, and I will quote from a couple of sources.
Quote.
Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms are important to spot, particularly if you're unsure if you are getting enough of the essential vitamin in your diet. If B12 is in short supply, DNA production will be impacted, and this can cause a variety of health issues. Taking a close inspection of your face will provide some clues hinting to a deficiency.
According to WebMD, symptoms indicating you are low in B12 include:
- Weakness, tiredness, or light-headedness
- Heart palpitations and shortness of breath
- Pale skin
- A smooth tongue
- Constipation, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, or gas
- Nerve problems like numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, and problems walking
- Vision loss
- Mental problems like depression, memory loss, or behavioural changes.
Vitamin B12 is essential for the blood, brain and nervous system. Not having enough in the body can cause people to feel tired and sick. Eating more meat and animal products can boost levels of vitamin B12.
Why is vitamin B12 important for health?
The body uses vitamin B12 to make red blood cells and to repair body tissue. It's also important for the health of nerves.
If you don't have sufficient vitamin B12, this can lead to a type of anaemia, meaning you don't have enough red blood cells in your blood. You might also be at risk of neuropathy, meaning you have nerve damage that causes tingling and numbness in your hands and feet.
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency ( to repeat) include tiredness, light-headedness, a rapid heart rate, bruising easily and bleeding, weight loss, bowel upsets and a sore tongue. If you have B12 deficiency, you may need to change your diet, or you may need supplements, taken either as tablets or by injection.
What are the best sources of vitamin B12?
The best source of vitamin B12 is animal products, including meat and dairy.
Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend you eat 1 to 3 serves a day of lean meat, poultry, fish or eggs, depending on your age and gender. The guidelines also recommend 1 to 4 serves of dairy a day, depending on your age and gender.
You can get vitamin B12 from the following foods:
- crab
- beef
- chicken
- eggs (whole)
- milk
Most Australians get more than enough vitamin B12 in their normal diets. If you eat more than you need, it's stored in your liver and can be used later.
End of quotes.
Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics and the UK’s Daily Mail.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
