Vitamin B12 Deficiency, Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors & Treatment: Vitamin B12 plays an important role in the production of red blood cells and DNA in our body. Along with this, it also helps in the proper functioning of the nervous system and keeps the stress away. It is a nutrient, which is very important for our body. Due to a deficiency of Vitamin B12, the body starts feeling weak. Feeling tired all the time. Our body usually needs 2.5 micrograms of vitamin B12 daily. A deficiency of any vitamin in the body causes itching and can become the cause of many problems and diseases.
Here we will tell the dangerous side effects of vitamin B12 deficiency. Along with Nerves Problems in the hands and feet, it can also become the cause of Blood Clotting. This is the reason that problems ranging from stroke to paralysis can occur due to a deficiency of this vitamin. You will also get to know about Vitamin B12 Deficiency- Symptoms & Causes on this page.
What is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that helps your body keep your nerve cells and blood cells healthy. It also helps your body make DNA, the genetic material in all of your cells. Today, in this hectic life, we need many nutrients to keep the body healthy. One of the most important vitamins is Vitamin B12. At present, deficiency of this vitamin has been seen in many people. Vitamin B12 plays a huge role in all the functions of our brain, heart, and nervous system. Its deficiency has a serious effect on health.
According to the reports, the human body itself does not make vitamin B12, so to meet its requirement in the body, we have to depend on external foods only. B12 is found in abundance in animal-based food. Vitamin B12 is stored in our liver for five years, but if its supply is not maintained then it can be deficient in the body.
What is vitamin B12 deficiency?
Vitamin B12 deficiency occurs when your body is either not getting enough or cannot absorb enough vitamin B12 from the food you eat that it needs to function properly. Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that helps your body make red blood cells and DNA, the genetic material in all of your cells
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
To stay healthy, we need adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals. In such a situation, when there is a deficiency of any vitamin or mineral in our body, then many types of symptoms start appearing. When the body is deficient in Vitamin B12, it can lead to a variety of health problems. A person may have to face below symptoms:
- Fatigue- When there is a deficiency of Vitamin B12 in the body, you may feel tired and weak. Actually, vitamin B12 is needed for the cells of the body to function properly. A deficiency of vitamin B12 in the body can reduce the production of normal red blood cells. When there are not enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the tissues in the body, a person may feel weak and tired.
- Tingling in hands and feet- Symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency can be seen in 4 parts of the body ie hands, arms, legs, and feet. A strange tingling sensation starts to be felt in these parts of the body. It is also called a pin or needle.
- Yellow Skin- Pale appearance of the skin can also be a sign of Vitamin B12 deficiency in the body. When there is a deficiency of vitamin B12 in the body, it leads to a decrease in red blood cells, which can cause a yellowing of the skin.
- Headache- If you have frequent headaches, it could also be a symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause headaches in children and adults.
- Depression- Depression can also be a symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is necessary for the proper functioning of the central nervous system. When there is a deficiency of this vitamin, it can affect mental health. Actually, a decrease in vitamin B12 in the body can increase oxidative stress. This can make people feel stressed, anxious, and depressed.
- Digestive issues- Due to a deficiency of Vitamin B12 in the body, you may also have to face problems related to digestion. When the level of Vitamin B12 is low, you may have to suffer from problems like diarrhea, nausea, constipation, vomiting, and gas.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency- Causes
A deficiency in this important vitamin can be caused by a diet that contains too little vitamin B12. People who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet are often deficient in this vitamin, as it is commonly found in animal products. Apart from this, you may have to do vitamin B12 deficiency in some of the following situations:
- Gastritis
- Pernicious anaemia
- Digestive diseases
- Gastrointestinal surgery
- Alcohol use disorder
- Transcobalamin II deficiency
Vitamin B12 Deficiency- Risk Factors
- Damage to nervous system
- Anaemia
- Trouble getting pregnant
- Skin Infection
Diagnosed of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
The tests used to diagnose vitamin B12 deficiency are the complete blood count (CBC) and the vitamin B12 blood test level. A person has been diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency when the amount of vitamin B12 in their blood is less than the mentioned normal values.
Treatment for Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency can be overcome with Vitamin B12. It is often treated with cyanocobalamin, a man-made form of vitamin B12. Depending on the cause of the deficiency, the person may only need to be treated until their vitamin B12 levels return to normal, or they may have to take vitamin B12 therapy for the rest of their lives. Vitamin B12 treatment options include:
- Vitamin B12 oral medication.
- Vitamin B12 intramuscular injection
- Vitamin B12 Nasal Gel.
- Vitamin B12 Nasal Spray.
Treat Vitamin B12 Deficiency Naturally
Vitamin B-12 is mostly found in non-vegetarian food. If you are a non-vegetarian, you can make up for the deficiency of this vitamin by eating fish, chicken, eggs and prawns. But vegetarian people should take supplements as directed by the doctor to meet the deficiency of Vitamin B-12. Apart from this, curd, oatmeal, soybean, broccoli, mushroom and tofu etc. can be consumed.
Conclusion: Like all vitamins, vitamin B12 is also very important for our health. If any vitamin is deficient, then only the body has to suffer. How can the body remain healthy without vitamins? Yes, sometimes a diet or supplement can make up for the deficiency of these vitamins. That’s why we have given almost all the information about B12 here. Now it is your responsibility to follow it.
| Homepage | Click Here |
FAQs- Vitamin B12 Deficiency
How much our body needs Vitamin B12 depends on many things. What is our age, what is our eating habit, what is our medical condition, what medicines are we taking, there are many things on which it depends
Vitamin B12 deficiency can occur at any stage of age, but its problem is mostly seen in people who have crossed the age of 60. Apart from this, people who eat vegetarian food are also more likely to get it.
Visit a lab and get your Vitamin B12 test done and know about it deficiency