Why do we talk about Vitamin B12 and Crohn's Disease?

If you suffer from Crohn's Disease one thing that is always discussed is Vitamin B12. How come I hear you ask? Why is Vitamin B12 so import to a sufferer of crohn's disease.
Vitamin B12 has many functions but one of them is to maintain the body’s metabolism.  It creates red blood cells and plays a crucial role in how the central nervous system functions.  You may have even heard that a Vitamin B12 deficiency can be linked to anemia. 

If you want to eat foods with high levels of this vitamin you must eat meat, shellfish, milk and other dairy products, eggs and poultry. B12 is also the only B vitamin that is stored in the body. 

So would I recommend everyone who has a Vitamin B12 deficiency and has crohn's disease to take a Vitamin B12 supplement? Well unfortunately it is not that simple. 

I would definitely recommend everyone who has a deficiency to take a supplement but how we take that supplement would vary according to where in the gut the disease occurs and also how much small intestine the person who suffers from crohn's disease has left. 

Vitamin B12 gets absorbed by the terminal ileum, which is the end of the small intestine. This is actually a very common site of Crohn’s disease. What can happen is that the crohn's disease present in that portion of the bowel may prevent  a sufferer from absorbing enough Vitamin B12 from food or supplements to meet crucial needs.  

A Crohn's Disease sufferer therefore needs supplementation other than by oral means.  That typically means monthly B12 injections or a weekly nasal spray.  A patch is now on the market. 
So find out which method works for you. I have always used a monthly injection but it is a personal choice. I know many others who love the weekly nasal spray as they can do this in their own home. 

If you would like any other information about Vitamin B12 and Crohn's Disease please feel free to email me at [email protected] or ask me on my Facebook Page - My Crohn's Doctor. 

Yours in Health and Wellness
Dr Michael

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My Crohn's Doctor
www.mycrohnsdoctor.com

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