Vitamin-B12 is essential for the production of DNA and red blood cells, as well as the neurological system’s function. As such, a vitamin B-12 deficiency affects the production and function of healthy blood cells and can cause various symptoms. For the organs to function properly, the body needs a lot of these cells. When a person is deficient in vitamin B-12, it can lead to symptoms that affect both their mental and physical health.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is more likely to occur in vegans or vegetarians. Even if a person consumes an adequate amount of vitamin B-12 through their diet, the absorption of this vitamin in the gut can be compromised by certain underlying health conditions like:
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Several studies show that between 5% and 15% of the population may be deficient in vitamin B-12. Numerous signs and symptoms, both mental and physical, can result from a lack of this vitamin. Vitamin B-12-rich meals should be consumed on a regular basis to prevent its deficiency. A daily intake of 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B-12 is recommended for healthy adults. You can get this water-soluble vitamin from animal-based foods such as red meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, and fish.
Vegetarian and vegan sources of vitamin B12 are necessary if a person does not consume animal products. Fortified cereals, plant milk, bread, and nutritional yeast are all examples of these products. Some people may not recognize that they have a vitamin B-12 deficiency since it has many symptoms as other nutritional deficiencies and health issues. People who are aware of all of the symptoms can recognize the problem and seek medical help. So here are 11 symptoms that you might think are normal health issues but, in reality, are caused by a deficiency in vitamin-B12.
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Patients with megaloblastic anemia caused by a lack of vitamin B-12 may experience weariness. A person can become highly fatigued if they don’t have enough red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout their body.
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Vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause a rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath. The heart’s rate may increase to compensate for the body’s decreased supply of red blood cells. Anemia puts a lot of strain on the heart since it has to pump more blood across the body and do it faster. This response is the body’s attempt to make sure that enough oxygen circulates through all of the body’s systems and reaches all of the organs.
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When a person is lacking in B-12, their mood can be affected. This can make them irritable and depressed. Homocysteine is a molecule in the brain that is broken down by vitamin B-12. But when there isn’t enough vitamin B-12 to break down these molecules, they start increasing. An excess of homocysteine might lead to mental health issues.
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Movement issues might develop over time as a result of peripheral nerve injury caused by a vitamin B-12 deficiency. It can be difficult to walk on one’s own if one’s feet and limbs are numb. Muscle weakness and slowed reflexes are other possible side effects.
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As a side effect of vitamin B-12 deficiency, anemia can make a person feel breathless. Anemia and a rapid heartbeat may be to blame for this condition. Anyone who is having trouble breathing should seek immediate medical aid.
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The feeling of “pins and needles” in the hands and feet can signify a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Since this vitamin has an important role in the nervous system, its absence might lead to nerve conduction issues or damage.
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The digestive system might be adversely affected by a lack of vitamin B-12. Due to a deficiency in red blood cells, insufficient oxygen is delivered to the gut. A lack of oxygen in this area may cause a person to feel nauseous and fall ill. Most of the time, nausea causes vomiting, but diarrhea may also be a side effect.
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People with vitamin B-12 deficiency may lose their appetite due to digestive issues like nausea. This makes a person even lose their appetite because whatever they ingest makes them feel uncomfortable. A gradual loss of appetite can result in weight loss, and even long-term weight loss is possible with a decreased appetite.
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A lack of vitamin B-12 can manifest as jaundice, a condition characterized by pale or yellow skin. When the body is unable to manufacture enough red blood cells, jaundice can develop. The typical hue of the skin comes from the red blood cells that circulate beneath it. Your skin may appear paler if you don’t have enough of these cells.
Red blood cell formation is dependent on vitamin B-12. Megaloblastic anemia, or a loss of red blood cells, is associated with jaundice in people deficient in vitamin B12. Red blood cells are weakened by this type of anemia and break down more quickly in the body as a result. This bilirubin is produced by the liver when red blood cells are degraded. The brownish pigment bilirubin gives jaundice its characteristic yellow hue.
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Oral health is also affected by vitamin B-12 deficiency. As a result, you may experience oral health issues like:
A lack of vitamin B-12 results in a drop in red blood cell synthesis, reducing oxygen delivery to the tongue, causing these symptoms.
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Cognitive impairment is the medical term for a vitamin B-12 deficiency that affects one’s ability to think clearly. Problems with thinking or reasoning, as well as memory loss, are among the symptoms. According to a single investigation, Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, and Parkinson’s disease are all connected to low vitamin B-12 levels. The lack of oxygen to the brain may be to blame for the inability to think or reason clearly.
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Dietary sources of vitamin B-12 are sufficient for the majority of people. A doctor may prescribe or recommend B-12 supplements to patients who are unable to obtain them naturally. B-12 supplements can also be purchased at pharmacies or online from various manufacturers.
Vitamin B-12 is found in most multivitamins. Oral tablets, sublingual tablets that dissolve under the tongue, and injections are all options for getting B-12 vitamins into your system. However, a doctor can only determine the correct dosage of this vitamin for you.
Vitamin B-12 injections may be necessary for those who have difficulty absorbing the vitamin. Depending on your diet and overall health, you can consult your doctor for advice on treating and preventing vitamin B-12 deficiency.
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