The most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in older adults is food-cobalamin malabsorption, often due to age-related stomach changes like reduced stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) and intrinsic factor, which are crucial for separating and absorbing B12 from food. This can be worsened by chronic inflammation (atrophic gastritis), H. pylori infection, autoimmune conditions like pernicious anemia, and medications such as metformin or acid reducers, all common in the elderly.
No significant interactions are reported between amlodipine and Vitamin B12 specifically, but multivitamins with minerals might decrease amlodipine's effectiveness, so always tell your doctor about all supplements, including B12, as they can affect your blood pressure and medication response. While B12 itself seems safe, other supplements like St. John's Wort can interact, and potential B vitamin effects on blood pressure meds aren't fully understood, making professional advice crucial.
Older people are at risk for cobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency because of a number of common disorders (e.g., autoimmune gastritis) and drugs (e.g., antacids) that may alter its absorption and utilization.
Vitamin B12 doesn't directly cure plantar fasciitis, but a deficiency can worsen symptoms or mimic it by causing nerve issues (neuropathy) and weakening tissues, while supplementing may help if you're deficient by improving nerve health and healing, though the primary treatment remains stretching, orthotics, and rest to address the mechanical stress.
If you've had neurological symptoms (symptoms that affect your nervous system, such as numbness or tingling in your hands and feet) caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency, you'll be referred to a haematologist, and you may need to have injections every two months.
Low magnesium levels may contribute to muscle cramps and tension in the feet. Including magnesium-rich foods or a daily supplement can be part of your natural remedies toolkit for plantar fasciitis.
B12 deficiency can trigger specific food cravings, most notably for meat, fish, or eggs, as the body seeks animal-based sources to replenish the vitamin, especially in those on vegetarian/vegan diets or older adults. While cravings for sugary or salty foods can also signal general B-vitamin issues, the distinct urge for protein-rich animal products is a key indicator, but professional testing is crucial for confirmation.
Best B12 products for seniors
The worst symptoms of B12 deficiency involve severe nerve damage and cognitive issues, including tingling/numbness in hands and feet, trouble walking, memory loss, confusion, depression, and even dementia in severe, untreated cases, alongside severe fatigue, pale skin, and heart palpitations from anemia. These neurological and mental problems can become irreversible if the deficiency isn't treated promptly.
Common side effects
That said, there are no known risks of taking Vitamin B in combination with blood pressure medication, as long as you are treating a vitamin deficit and not going above the recommended daily dose.
Cautions with other medicines
Some medicines can affect the way amlodipine works. Tell your doctor if you're taking any of these medicines before starting amlodipine: antibiotics such as clarithromycin, erythromycin or rifampicin. calcium channel blockers like diltiazem or verapamil.
Disturbed or blurred vision can also occur as a result of a Vitamin B12 deficiency. This happens when the deficiency causes damage to the optic nerve that leads to your eyes. The nervous signal that travels from the eye to the brain is disturbed due to this damage, leading to impaired vision.
People need vitamin B-12 for the brain to work well. If not treated, vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to issues with the nerves, brain or spinal cord. These might include lasting tingling in the hands and feet or trouble with balance.
Because up to 30% of adults over 51 years of age have atrophic gastritis with low stomach acid excretion, it is recommended that they meet the RDA for vitamin B12 with supplements and/or fortified foods.
In conclusion, our results show that lower vitamin B12 was associated with insomnia symptoms and sleepiness in specific groups of participants. However, further research with objective measurements of sleep is crucial to assess the relationship between sleep and vitamin B12.
Cutaneous manifestations associated with vitamin B12 deficiency are skin hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair changes. A diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency is often overlooked in its early stages because these signs are not specific to vitamin B12 deficiency alone.
Some people can develop a vitamin B12 deficiency as a result of not getting enough vitamin B12 from their diet. A diet that includes meat, fish and dairy products usually provides enough vitamin B12, but people who do not regularly eat these foods can become deficient.
Muscle Spasms and Cramps
Twitches, spasms, tremors, and muscle cramps are one of the most obvious signs of magnesium deficiency. In some severe cases, magnesium deficiency can cause seizures or convulsions.
A review of clinical research by Thorne Research showed that curcumin has significant anti-inflammatory properties that can improve injuries like muscle strain, sprains, and plantar fasciitis.
Improved Sleep: Magnesium is well-known for its ability to relax the body and mind by supporting the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. Spraying magnesium on your feet before bedtime can help create a calming bedtime ritual and promote deeper, more restful sleep.