Causes
Did you know that eating a vegan diet can raise the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency in older adults? Even if a person gets enough of this vitamin in their diet, some underlying health conditions can impact the absorption of vitamin B12 in the stomach.
These conditions include:
- Celiac disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Pernicious anemia
- Atrophic gastritis
The following factors can also play a role in a vitamin B12 deficiency in older adults:
- Weight loss or any other stomach surgeries can affect how the digestive system soaks up vitamin B12.
- Eating a vegetarian or vegan diet.
- Agingbecause a person becomes less able to absorb B12 as they age.
- Taking anti-acid medication for an extended period.
