[Medical Q&A] Can vitamin deficiency also cause anemia?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Gong Weiyan, Associate Researcher, Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention

There are many causes of anemia. Among the factors related to diet, the one that people hear more about is anemia caused by iron deficiency. In fact, lack of certain vitamins can also cause anemia.

Vitamin B12 (also known as "cobalamin") is an important factor in erythropoiesis and is involved in DNA synthesis and cell division. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to megaloblastic anemia, which is anemia caused by abnormal erythropoiesis. Many animal foods are rich in vitamin B12, such as meat, animal offal, fish, poultry, shellfish and eggs. The content in milk and dairy products is relatively low, and plant foods basically do not contain vitamin B12. Vitamin B9 (also known as "folic acid") is also an important factor in erythropoiesis. Folic acid deficiency can also lead to megaloblastic anemia. Folic acid mainly comes from green leafy vegetables, beans, nuts, liver, eggs, etc. Vitamin C (also known as "ascorbic acid") can promote the absorption of iron, and iron is an important component of hemoglobin synthesis. Therefore, vitamin C deficiency will affect iron absorption and lead to iron deficiency anemia. Vitamin C mainly comes from fresh fruits and vegetables, such as citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwis, tomatoes, green leafy vegetables, etc. In addition, a lack of vitamin E (an antioxidant that protects red blood cell membranes from oxidative damage and maintains the integrity of red blood cells) may lead to hemolytic anemia, and a lack of vitamin B6 (involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin) may affect the production of hemoglobin, leading to anemia.