Doctor Kumar Shital verified that in megaloblastic anaemia the bone marrow produces abnormally large and immature red blood cells. “Megaloblastic anaemia is caused by too little vitamin B12 (cobalamin) or vitamin B9 (folate),” Doctor Shital confirmed. “Your body needs these vitamins to make red blood cells.”
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
How would someone become deficient in vitamin B12, considering the nutrient is found in meat, eggs, and dairy?Firstly, if someone adheres to a vegan lifestyle by avoiding such foods, as well as not eating enough foods fortified in vitamin B12, a deficiency is likely. However, even people who do eat such foods can become deficient in vitamin B12. One of the most common culprits of a vitamin B12 deficiency in the UK, according to the NHS, is the development of pernicious anaemia.
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Treatment for both types of nutritional deficiencies are likely to include supplementation. The NHS pointed out good sources of folate, including:
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Asparagus
- Peas
- Chickpeas
Brown rice.Thankfully, most cases of a vitamin B12 or vitamin B9 deficiency can easily be treated. Therefore complications are considered rare, but if you do not seek treatment, risks can occur. People who develop severe anaemia are at risk of developing tachycardia, which is where the heart beats abnormally fast. More worryingly, this can lead to heart failure, which is when the heart is unable to pump enough blood around the body at the right pressure.