Signs and Symptoms Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Why Vitamin B12 is Essential for the Body and How Vitamin B12 Deficiency can Affect Your Health?
Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that the body needs to work properly. It is needed for many things, like making energy, keeping DNA working, keeping the central nervous system working, etc. Many food sources provide vitamin B12, but some people still experience its deficiency. This can happen for several reasons, such as poor absorption, health problems, or not getting enough vitamin B12 sources.
Normal Level of VitaminB12
Vitamin B12 levels in the blood should be greater than 300 pg per milliliter. If the level is between 200 and 300 grams per milliliter, then it is considered to be on the borderline. A B12 level of less than 200 is considered deficient in vitamin B12. Nisarga Diagnostics can Help you as its One of the Best Blood Test Lab in Bangalore to know your Vitamin B12, Calcium and other vitamin Levels in your Blood.
Food Sources of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 can be found in various foods. Some of the best sources of vitamin B12 are as follows –
- Eggs
- Dairy products
- Fortified cereals
- Salmon
- Prawn
- Trout fish
- Fortified yeast
- Tuna fish
- Beef
- Sardines fish
- Clams shellfish
- Animal kidney and liver
- Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
If a person has a vitamin B12 deficiency, then they show some common symptoms.
Yellow or pale skin tone – Anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency are related to each other. This condition lacks red blood cells. The skin turns yellow or pale due to a lack of red blood cells indicating vitamin B12 deficiency.
Fatigue – People are likely to feel fatigued if they have vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is essential for the body’s cells to work properly.
Severe headache – A deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause neurological problems which can cause severe headaches. This is the most common symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Gastrointestinal problems – People with a vitamin B12 deficiency are more likely to experience some gastrointestinal problems such as bloating, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, gas, nausea, etc.
Depression – A deficiency of vitamin B12 disturbs the proper functioning of the central nervous system. This condition can cause depression.
What Are the Main Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
The main reason people don’t get enough vitamin B12 is that they don’t eat enough foods that contain it. Although various other reasons can cause a vitamin B12 deficiency,
Not consuming vitamin B12-rich foods – People who mostly consume a diet that lacks vitamin B12 can develop vitamin B12 deficiency.
Gastritis – It is a condition in which the stomach lining gets inflamed. It can result in vitamin B12 deficiency.
Digestive Issues – Any digestive disease such as Celiac disease which troubles the absorption of vitamin B12 can result in its deficiency.
Pernicious anemia – People with pernicious anemia, a rare medical condition, may be deficient in vitamin B12.
Surgery – People who have ever had any gastrointestinal surgery may experience a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vegetarian diet – Animal products are the most common natural sources of vitamin B12. If you are strictly vegan then you can take some vitamin B12 supplements. Some plant-based sources of vitamin B12 are fortified cereals, fortified milk, energy drinks, etc
Treatment of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
The treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency can be done by providing enough vitamin B12. Natural sources of vitamin B12 are recommended. Although a man-made source of vitamin B12, cyanocobalamin is also provided. Vitamin B12 is provided in various ways for the treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency. The duration of the treatment depends on the stage of deficiency. Most of the time, vitamin B12 therapy is given until the patient is back to normal, but in some very serious cases, it is given for the rest of the patient’s life.
Various treatments for vitamin B12 are as follows –
- Oral mediaction to provide vitamin B12
- Nasal gel to provide vitamin B12
- Nasal sprays of vitamin B12
- Intramuscular injections provide vitamin B12 directly into the muscles by using a shotgun
- Preventing Vitamin B12 Deficiency
It is very simple to avoid a vitamin B12 deficiency. Consuming natural sources of vitamin B12 can prevent its deficiency.
- Consume animal sources of vitamin B12 such as fish, red meat, poultry, milk, eggs, and other natural animal sources of vitamin B12.
- Fortified foods are also a good source of vitamin B12. Some extra vitamins and nutrients are added to these foods that don’t come with them naturally. So, it’s a better option to prevent the vitamin B12 deficiency.
- You can also consume vitamin B12 deficiency. It is recommended to consult your healthcare provider before consuming vitamin B12 supplements.
- Avoid excess consumption of alcohol. Alcohol can damage the digestive system and hence it can make your body difficult to absorb vitamin B12.
Try to keep your digestive system healthy and avoid digestive diseases.
Vitamins are essential nutrients for the body to function well. One such vitamin is vitamin B12. Here we have discussed all the essential information about vitamin B12 deficiency. This is not a critical problem, but it can create some issues with the proper functioning of your body. So you must consume vitamin B12-rich foods and prevent the deficiency.
I hope you have found this information useful. Please share this with your loved ones to make them aware