2008 - Communication Across the Curriculum (CAC)

B i o l o g y
86-9) and is sometimes referred to as the senility vitamin
because it is essential for proper brain function and a deficiency
usually always presents itself in a form of senility (Talbott 273). It
is naturally synthesized by micro organic bacteria in plant eating
animals and then stored in the animal’s tissues (McDougall 2).
Therefore, the primary dietary source of B12 is from animal
proteins, which a strict vegan diet does not contain (Koda-
Kimble 86-9).
Generally, an average human stores 4000µg of B12 in their
body and uses 2µg per day (Koda-Kimble 86-9). At this rate, it
is possible to live numerous years without depleting B12 stores
or suffering the side effects of deficiency.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is surprisingly very prevalent. In
developing areas such as Africa, India, South and Central
America it is very wide spread. This is mainly due to a lack of
animal products being consumed among the poor. Obviously
it is very common among vegetarians, also due to their lack of
animal product consumption. The condition is also very wide
spread among the elderly. However, generally among the elderly
it is directly related to pernicious anemia as their bodies are no
longer producing the needed amounts of intrinsic factor for B12
absorption (Sethi).
Treatment of the New Diagnosis:
Pop was immediately administered an injection of 1000µg
of vitamin B12. Within twenty-four hours he was sitting up
unassisted and within forty-eight hours he had regained bladder
and bowel control. By the end of the week he was able to play
card games, read and talk on the phone (Bernstein).
Simple ongoing supplementation of vitamin B12 is sufficient
treatment for the deficiency. The most effective forms of
B12 supplements for treating neurological deficiencies are
methylcobalamin and hydroxycobalamin (McDougall 5).
Dosages will vary according to the needs of individual patients.
Initially, large quantity doses of 30-1000µg are administered
intramuscularly for the purpose of replenishing tissue stores.
Following this, a treatment regimen would generally entail daily
doses for one week, then reducing the quantity and frequency
gradually until the patient’s B12 tissue stores are replenished
and he is receiving a monthly maintenance dose (Koda-Kimble
86-10).
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W r i t i n g A c r o s s t h e C u r r i c u l u m