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Vitamin B12 Deficiency – Its Causes and Signs

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that contributes to the growth and development of our body in various ways, such as the production of RBC, DNA synthesis, and ensuring the smooth functioning of the central nervous system. It is important to get enough of this vitamin to stay healthy. Vitamin B12 deficiency, also known as folate deficiency anemia, is a common illness that can stop the red blood cells from performing as they should.

Here is some information about the deficiency of this vitamin in our body:

Causes of vitamin B12 deficiency

The most common causes of vitamin B12 deficiency include stomach and intestinal conditions, such as gastritis, surgical procedures in which a part of your stomach is removed, pernicious anemia, and health conditions that affect the transportation of vitamins to the cells.

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency

The deficiency of vitamin B12 can lead to a wide range of symptoms. The symptoms of low vitamin B12 vary from person to person . If left untreated, it can lead to numerous health problems in the future.

Here are some of the symptoms caused by vitamin B12 deficiency:

Tiredness, weakness, or fatigue
Inadequate vitamin B12 levels decrease the number of RBCs. As RBCs are essential in transporting oxygen, you may feel extremely tired or weak.

Behavioral changes and mental problems
Vitamin B12 is essential for the functioning of the nervous system, and its deficiency can lead to mental problems, such as depression, memory loss, and mood disorders.

Pale or yellow skin
The anemia that is related to vitamin B12 deficiency can make your skin look pale. The color change is due to the lack of fully matured RBCs.

Inflammation in the mouth and tongue
Low vitamin B12 symptoms include mouth ulcers and an inflamed, red, and painful tongue. In medical terms, these conditions are known as stomatitis and glossitis.

Pins and needles sensation in certain body parts
This condition is called paresthesia. It is a burning, prickling, or tingling sensation in different areas of the body, such as the hands and feet.

Gastrointestinal issues
This could be constipation, gas, diarrhea, and bloating.

Megaloblastic anemia
In this condition, the count of your red blood cells is lower than the normal level, or there is a deficiency of hemoglobin in the red blood cells.

The other symptoms of low vitamin B12 include:

Headaches or migraines

Fast heart rate and shortness of breath

Loss of vision or vision disturbances can be caused due to the damage that occurs to the optic nerve

Jaundice

Loss of weight

Decreased appetite

Irritability

Nausea

Muscle cramps and weakness caused due to the negative impact of sensory and motor nerves

Dementia

Difficulty concentrating

Nerve-related problems, such as tingling, impaired coordination, and difficulty in walking and balancing

The symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are most likely to occur in people who are vegetarians, people over 60 years, and women who are breastfeeding or pregnant. In addition to learning about symptoms, a doctor can provide certain tests that help to measure vitamin B12 levels. This way, the depleting levels can be replenished through food sources.

Food sources that help to avoid the symptoms

Vitamin B12 is mainly absorbed from the foods that we eat. People can become deficient in this vitamin if their meal plans don’t provide enough of this vitamin on a regular basis. The major sources of vitamin B12 are fish, chicken, eggs, poultry, and meat. Plant-based food sources do not have this vitamin. Hence, a diet mostly based on vegetables can lead to the signs of vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is also available in oral supplement forms and as fortified breakfast products.

The amount of vitamin B12 a person should have in their body to avoid low vitamin B12 symptoms depends on various factors, such as age, medical conditions, and eating habits. The most effective way to deal with low vitamin B12 symptoms is by consuming the right foods.

The average recommended daily intake of vitamin B12 for different age groups is:

Infants below 6 months – 0.4 micrograms

Babies between 7 months and 12 months – 0.5 micrograms

Children between 1 to 3 years – 0.9 micrograms

Children between 4 to 8 years – 1.2 micrograms

Children between 9 to 13 years – 1.8 micrograms

Teens and adults – 2.4 micrograms

The non-availability of essential vitamins in adequate amounts can lead to a number of health problems. Most people can prevent vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms by eating the right food. However, many symptoms are not specific to this vitamin deficiency alone; it can also be due to some other underlying health conditions. So, if you experience any such symptoms, it is important to consult a healthcare professional and get the right treatment.

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