Does b12 cause diarrhea
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Vitamin B12 and Diarrhea: Understanding the Connection
Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Diarrhea
Chronic Diarrhea in Children and Adults
Vitamin B12 deficiency is often associated with chronic diarrhea, particularly in children. This deficiency can result from various factors such as vegetarianism, minimal intake of animal products, poverty, and malnutrition. In children, it often presents with nonspecific symptoms like neuropsychiatric issues, anemia, glossitis, and chronic diarrhea2. Similarly, in adults, vitamin B12 deficiency can manifest as generalized weakness, fatigue, indigestion, and diarrhea, among other symptoms6.
HIV-Infected Patients
In HIV-infected patients, chronic diarrhea is a common issue, and vitamin B12 deficiency is frequently observed. Studies have shown that a significant percentage of HIV-infected patients with chronic diarrhea have low levels of vitamin B12, indicating a strong correlation between malabsorption of the vitamin and the enteropathic processes affecting the small bowel3.
Alcohol-Induced Malabsorption
Impact of Alcohol on Vitamin B12 Absorption
Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to malabsorption of vitamin B12, which may contribute to diarrhea. The disturbances in intestinal function seen in chronic alcoholics can be attributed to both the direct toxic effects of ethanol on the small intestine and nutritional deficiencies common in this population1.
Vitamin B12 and Gut Microbiota
Role of Gut Bacteria
The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the modulation of vitamin B12 levels and its impact on gastrointestinal health. For instance, the gut commensal bacteria Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron can influence the production of Shiga toxin by Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), which is responsible for bloody diarrhea. This interaction highlights the complex relationship between vitamin B12, gut bacteria, and diarrhea4.
Breast Milk Vitamin B12 and Infant Health
Breast Milk and Infant Diarrhea
In infants, the concentration of vitamin B12 in breast milk has been studied to determine its impact on the incidence of diarrhea and respiratory infections. However, no significant association was found between milk vitamin B12 concentration and the incidence of diarrhea in infants, suggesting that other factors may play a more critical role in these infections5.
Conclusion
Vitamin B12 deficiency is closely linked to chronic diarrhea in various populations, including children, adults, and HIV-infected patients. Factors such as malnutrition, alcohol consumption, and gut microbiota interactions can influence this relationship. While vitamin B12 supplementation is crucial for addressing deficiency-related diarrhea, further research is needed to fully understand the complex mechanisms at play.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Alcohol-induced Malabsorption of Vitamin B12 in Man
Alcohol-induced malabsorption of vitamin B12 in man is primarily due to a direct toxic effect on the small intestine, rather than a nutritional deficiency.
Non-RCT
Highly CitedChronic Diarrhoea: A Rare Presentation Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia In Children
Vitamin B12 deficiency in children can present as chronic diarrhoea, highlighting the need for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Case ReportMalabsorption and deficiency of vitamin B12 in HIV-infected patients with chronic diarrhea
HIV-infected patients with chronic diarrhea often have below-normal vitamin B12 levels, suggesting that screening for vitamin B12 deficiency is strongly recommended.
Observational StudyVitamin B12 Uptake by the Gut Commensal Bacteria Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron Limits the Production of Shiga Toxin by Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli
Vitamin B12, produced by gut microbiota, limits the production of Shiga toxin by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, potentially affecting the outcome of an infection.
In Vitro StudyBreast milk vitamin B12 concentration and incidence of diarrhea and respiratory infections among infants in urban Tanzania: a prospective cohort study
Adequate vitamin B12 concentrations in breast milk do not show a clear association with the incidence of diarrhea and respiratory infections in infants in urban Tanzania.
Observational StudyThiocyanate Metabolism in Human Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency is a potential diagnosis for neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms, with early manifestations including generalized weakness, fatigue, indigestion, diarrhea, and depression.
Observational StudySerum Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) Concentrations in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) and Pigtailed Macaques (Macaca nemestrina) with Chronic Idiopathic Diarrhea.
Serum cobalamin levels are 2.5-fold lower in pigtailed macaques with chronic idiopathic diarrhea than in healthy controls, supporting their use as an adjunct diagnostic tool for chronic gastrointestinal disease.
Observational StudyVitamin B12 deficiency presenting as acute febrile encephalopathy and retinopathy
Vitamin B12 deficiency can present as acute febrile encephalopathy and retinopathy, with neuropsychiatric symptoms and a wide variety of neuropsychiatric symptoms in adults.
Case ReportPersistent diarrhea, hemolytic anemia, and splenohepatomegaly due to vitamin b12 deficiency in an infant
Vitamin B12 deficiency in infants can cause persistent diarrhea, growth retardation, irritability, anorexia, anemia, and hepatosplenomegaly, and should be considered in cases of multisystem manifestations.
Case ReportVitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency affects individuals of all ages, particularly the elderly, and is caused by inadequate intake, bioavailability, or malabsorption, with management relying on B12 supplementation.
Highly Cited