Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is an important water-soluble vitamin.It plays an essential role in the production of your red blood cells and DNA, as well as the proper functioning of your nervous system. Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal foods, including meats, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy.
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is an important water-soluble vitamin.
Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal foods, including meats, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy. However, it can also be found in products fortified with B12, such as some varieties of bread and plant-based milk.
Unfortunately, B12 deficiency is common, especially in the elderly. You’re at risk of deficiency if you don’t get enough from your diet or aren’t able to absorb enough from the food you eat.Fiveu eat.Five Areas On Your Body alarm you for vitamin B12 deficiency that can show signs of weakness.
It is important to detect vitamin B12 deficiency on time otherwise its deficiency can lead to severe complications.
Vitamin B12 deficiency has become a common health issue in Pakistan and all the world. Reports suggest at least 47% of the Indian population suffers from low B12 levels in the body and only 26% of the population may be vitamin B12 sufficient.
The staggering data not only indicates the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in the population, but also urges people to be more aware about this deficiency that can cause 'irreversible' damage in the long run. Besides being responsible for creating red blood cells and DNA in the body, it also helps strengthen the brain and nerve cells.
Notable Issues of Vitamin B12 deficiency!
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause several health issues ranging from skin problems, poor eye health and neurological issues. Therefore, it is important to keep a tab of all the symptoms that can indicate the illness. The UK's National Health Services (NHS) lists down certain symptoms associated with vitamin B12 deficiency.
A pale yellow tinge to your skin.
A sore and red tongue (glossitis)
A mouth ulcers
Changes in the way that you walk and move around.
Disturbed vision
Irritability and depression
Vitamin B12 deficiency can develop at any age, people who are 60 years old or older are more likely to have vitamin B12 deficiency compared to other age groups, as per the Cleveland Clinic.
In addition, people who are vegan or strict vegetarian may also find it difficult to get enough of vitamin B12 since most of the food sources include animal products.
Body parts that can signal low levels of vitamin B12
The NHS has warned against symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency that may arise in four parts of the body, which are hands, arms, legs, or feet.
According to the health body, people deficient in this vitamin may experience a “strange” sensation in these four areas of the body.
The term used to define it is called 'paraesthesia' or pins and needles.
Pins and needles can be a telling sign
Paresthesia or pins and needles feels like a burning or prickling sensation that usually occurs in the hands, arms, legs, or feet, but can also occur in other parts of the body.
These are usually painless and arise suddenly, without a warning.
“It happens when the blood supply to the nerves is cut off,” the NHS explains. This is usually when you sit or sleep on part of your body," the health body adds.
This sensation usually lasts for a few minutes and stops when you lift the weight off of the affected body part. It is because it allows the blood flow to resume.
Apart from vitamin deficiencies, many other health conditions can cause pins and needles in the body.
Diabetes is one of the primary reasons behind it. It is commonly associated with peripheral neuropathy, which gives light to tingling and other symptoms that often develop in both feet and go up the legs and can spread to both hands and go up the arms.
Systemic diseases like kidney disorders, liver disease, vascular damage and blood diseases can also cause tingling in the body.
If you're an alcoholic, or follow a poort dietary habit, pins and needles is one of the common symptoms that indicate nerve damage.
Your tongue may also be affected
Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause oral problems, leading to mouth ulcers, sores, tongue swelling and redness.
Glossitis or red and sore tongue is one of the tell-tale signs of B12 deficiency. According to WebMD, a glossitis is characterised by tiny bumps on your tongue (papillae) that can start to wear away.
Why this happens? Because vitamin B12 deficiency can produce abnormally large amounts of red blood cells that don't function correctly, resulting in anaemia. Hence, these invite a host of symptoms, including mouth ulcers.
Get your tests!
In case you develop symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, you must visit your healthcare provider and get yourself tested for the same.
Mostly people who are older adults, children, vegans, strict vegetarians, those with diabetes are at a greater risk of developing B12 deficiency, which is why these groups of people should prioritize regular screening.
Your doctor will take a sample of your blood and check whether you have a lower level of Vitamin B12.
In case of any deficiency injection is very effective , because B12 injections work quickly they are the most effective way for your body to absorb Vitamin B12. Within 48 to 72 hours, your body will begin to make new red blood cells. For mild deficiencies, you may need two to three injections over several weeks to notice peak impact.
Most people deficient in B12 are vegetarians and people who consume little to no meat or protein.
You can find it in various foods - eggs, fish, meat and diary. It's pretty abundant.
Web MD all in one about vitamin B12
An important nutrient to consider taking with vitamin B12 is folic acid (Vitamin B9 - folate). Research suggest there is a high link between both and literature suggest the best form is folinic acid. Also studies suggest iron is another important trace mineral to keep track of when having B12 problems.
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin and one of 13 essential vitamins for the body.
The main physiological function of vitamin B12 is to participate in the production of red blood cells, so that the body's hematopoietic function is in a normal state, preventing pernicious anemia, and preventing damage to the brain nerves.
Lack of vitamin B12 can cause megaloblastic anemia, mainly manifested as symptoms of anemia such as fatigue, dizziness, paleness and so on.
Some people also experience neurological symptoms such as depression, memory loss, tingling in the hands and feet, loss of sensation, numbness and muscle weakness.
The body cannot synthesize vitamin B12 and needs to get it from food or supplements. Adults only need 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 per day.
If you consume too much vitamin B12, some of it will be stored in the body, mainly in the liver.
An adult can store 2 mg to 5 mg of vitamin B12, which can meet the body's needs for several years.
Eating foods rich in vitaminB12 is an easy, effective way to supplement vitaminB12.
Beef and mutton, animal offal (such as pig liver, chicken liver, fish liver, beef liver, pig brain, sheep brain, etc.), fish and poultry (such as chicken, trout, tuna, salmon, etc.), shellfish, eggs, etc.
0 Comments