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Hidden Danger of RO Water: Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Hidden Danger of RO Water: Vitamin B12 Deficiency

by Dr. Trupti Shirole on Apr 30 2023 11:49 PM
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Highlights:
  • RO water can remove critical component cobalt that causes Vitamin B12 deficiency
  • Increased consumption of RO water can be problematic for vegetarians
  • A study showed that individuals who drank RO water had a higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency
Tap water contains hazardous chemicals and inorganic compounds such as lead, which, if taken in excess, can induce high blood pressure and renal problems. As a result, RO water is widely used in the majority of households.

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Benefits and Risks of RO Water Purifiers

Doctors estimate that RO can eliminate 97% of bacteria, viruses, and other potentially harmful chemicals. Clean drinking water is essential for good health. RO purifiers remove impurities from water by using microparticles less than 10 microns in size. However, according to a new study, increased consumption of RO water is likely to cause vitamin B12 deficiency in vegetarians.

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Cobalt Deficiency in RO Water Can Lead to Vitamin B12 Deficiency

According to SSG Hospital's research, RO water is becoming increasingly problematic since one of the most critical components of B12, cobalt, is removed by the filters. Cobalt is required for the synthesis of vitamin B12, and a lack of it can cause atrophic gastritis (thinning of the stomach lining), acute weariness and tiredness, Crohn's disease, Celiac disease, and a range of other disorders.
The research included 160 Vitamin B12 patients. “It was a case-control study in which we included all patients who came to our hospital with symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency and serum B12 levels less than 200 pg/ml. At the same time, patients who came to our department and were found to have serum vitamin B12 levels above 200 pg/ml were included in the research,” said Dr. Sangeeta Patel, assistant professor at Baroda Medical College’s Department of Community Medicine.

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Who is at High Risk of Vitamin B12 Deficiency Due to RO Water Consumption?

“We discovered that RO water used for drinking is a major risk factor for Vitamin B12 deficiency. Those who eat a vegetarian diet and have an unnaturally dark complexion or change in skin colour are also at high risk of deficiency,” she added.

Individuals who drank RO water had a 3.61 higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency when compared to controls, according to the study. Similarly, dark-complexioned people had 2.53 times the risk of B12 deficiency as controls, whereas vegetarians had 2.007 times the risk.

Source-Medindia


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