Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B12 (mixed)
For the health condition: Pernicious Anemia

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 5

Vitamin B12 is scientifically validated as an essential treatment for pernicious anemia. Pernicious anemia is primarily caused by an autoimmune process that leads to the destruction of intrinsic factor, a protein required for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the small intestine. Without intrinsic factor, patients are unable to absorb sufficient vitamin B12 from food, leading to megaloblastic anemia and neurological complications.

The connection between vitamin B12 deficiency and pernicious anemia has been established since the early 20th century. Landmark studies demonstrated that administration of vitamin B12, initially through dietary sources like liver extract and later as purified vitamin B12, reversed the anemia and neurological symptoms associated with the condition. Parenteral (intramuscular or subcutaneous) vitamin B12 bypasses the need for intrinsic factor and is considered the standard of care for patients with pernicious anemia. Oral high-dose supplementation has also been shown to be effective in some cases, but parenteral administration remains the most reliable method, especially in severe deficiency or symptomatic patients.

Clinical guidelines (such as those from the British Society for Haematology and the American Society of Hematology) recommend lifelong vitamin B12 replacement for patients with pernicious anemia. The efficacy and safety of vitamin B12 supplementation in this context are well supported by decades of clinical research and practice. Thus, the use of vitamin B12 to support and treat pernicious anemia is strongly supported by scientific evidence.

More about Vitamin B12 (mixed)
More about Pernicious Anemia

Products containing Vitamin B12 (mixed)

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.