10 Signs of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the most common conditions in the body. The 2 main reasons for this problem are some frequently used measures to improve health: a strict vegetarian diet (which can be compensated by taking the vitamin in capsules) and weight loss surgeries. The lack of this vitamin in the blood provides a wide variety of symptoms due to the fact that it is a source of energy for numerous bodily functions. But many people still confuse these symptoms with stress or being busy.

O awesome.club made a list of 10 typical symptoms of deficiency of this important vitamin. Take a look to see if you need to see a doctor.

According to the head of the Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, USA, Michael Roize, weakness and tiredness are 2 of the most common symptoms caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. When your supply decreases, your body produces fewer red blood cells., which are necessary for the transport of oxygen. As a result, you feel sleepy, tired, and even dizzy.

Many people confuse these symptoms with a bad night’s sleep, long hours at work, and stress. However, if your general health condition worsens, consult your doctor and have a blood test to check the number of these blood cells.

One of the possible physiological signs of vitamin B12 insufficiency is difficulty breathing. This vitamin contributes to the production of hemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen in the bloodstream. Its deficiency can decrease the flow of oxygen to the tissues, causing anemia and weakness. See your doctor for tests if you experience unexplained fatigue, palpitations, tongue pain, or any other such symptoms.

A lack of vitamin B12 can damage nerve cells, resulting in a tingling sensation in your hands and feet. If you ignore this, the symptom will become permanent, turning into paresthesia. This component is very important in the nervous system and necessary for the formation of myelin, a white covering that surrounds nerve fibers and increases the speed with which impulses from neurons occur. Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause degeneration of the spinal cord, optic and peripheral nerves, and brain tissue.

Without its protection, the nerves in the spinal cord can disintegrate and you may feel like you are staggering. As a result, you will stumble and lose your balance more often, even when walking on flat surfaces.

Another physical indication of a low level of vitamin B12 is jaundice in the skin and whites of the eyes. The production of red blood cells depends on it, and its scarcity causes a condition called megaloblastic anemia: red blood cells are fragile and cannot divide. They are too big to pass from the bone marrow into the blood. Therefore, as there are not so many red blood cells circulating through your body, your skin may turn pale.

Bilirubin is a slightly red or brownish substance that is produced by the liver when old blood cells break down. Large amounts of it are what give your skin and eyes that yellow tinge.

If you are vegan, or if you suffer from certain diseases of the digestive system, or if you overindulge in alcohol, you are at risk of having a high vitamin B12 deficiency. The oral manifestation of it in the blood is called glossitis, characterized by a fleshy, red and smooth tongue. As your body does not have enough vitamin B12, DNA synthesis deteriorates. The result is that your mouth epithelial cells start dividing rapidly and also cause angular cheilitis, recurrent mouth ulcers and oral thrush. Symptoms may come and go intermittently and usually get worse as the day progresses.

If you notice any of these manifestations, try changing your eating habits, including in your diet more animal products such as meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, oysters, eggs or cereals fortified with vitamin B12.

There are many different reasons that can cause problems like constipation or gas, and one of them is a vitamin B12 deficiency. If ignored, it can still cause chronic stomach problems, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Low levels affect the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. To alleviate these ailments, you can take a vitamin supplement.

Most people who are deficient in vitamin B12 lack an intrinsic factor, a protein secreted by the stomach that is necessary for the absorption of the vitamin. It sticks to it and transports it to the intestines for processing. Due to its lack or deficiency, your digestive system will not be able to function properly. In that case, all you can do is resort to vitamin B12 injections.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to optic neuropathy and impaired vision as it plays a very important role in nerve and nervous system function. This can be diagnosed in people who suffer from malnutrition or who do not consume any animal products. Recent research has shown that the combination of vitamin E, DHA and B12 improved visual fields and retinal sensitivity among glaucoma patients. Taking supplements may be able to reduce a person’s long-term risk of suffering from blurred and diminished visual acuity.

It is natural that the deficiency of some vitamins vital to the body can cause depression and changes in behavior. A lack of vitamin B12 has a strong impact on the brain’s production of serotonin, a substance that helps regulate your mood. If you have low levels of this vitamin, you should talk to your doctor and try to find out what the best treatment is. In most cases, taking vitamin supplements can significantly improve your mood.

Like calcium and vitamin D, B12 plays a very important role in the formation of the cells that make up bones, the osteoblasts. Deficiency of this vitamin compromises the proper functioning of its function and can lead to osteoporosis, a disease characterized by fragile, weak and brittle bones as a result of tissue loss due to nutrient deficiency🇧🇷 The elderly are at greater risk of contracting this disease, so it is imperative that they undergo periodic blood tests.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is estimated to affect 10% to 15% of people over the age of 60, as they may have an underlying health problem, which reduces its level. Surprisingly, many seniors do not have the main symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency or they are very subtle.

Not taking long to do the treatment and reversing the damage before it becomes irreversible is the key to reversing this situation. In the worst case, a lack of vitamin B12 can cause mental confusion, dementia and diminished mental abilities (memory or judgment loss). A simple test and a blood test is all it takes to find out if you have this type of disability. It is recommended to get adequate amounts of vitamin B12 in both dietary supplements and fortified foods to increase nutrient absorption through the digestive tract.

Since most of the vitamin B12 intake in our diet comes from animal products, vegans are at risk for this deficiency. Among the many factors that can obstruct a person’s ability to absorb the nutrients they need are: inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, stomach surgery, and others for weight loss and chronic alcoholism. The elderly also have more problems, as we saw earlier.

If you have moderate symptoms, you should do a blood test and talking to your doctor🇧🇷 If necessary, take oral vitamin B12 supplements, use a vitamin B12 nasal spray or injections, but always under the guidance of a specialist.

Did you know the characteristic symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency?