Vitamin B12 is one of the most essential, yet overlooked vitamins in the world. It plays a major role in the metabolism of each of our body cells, and if we have insufficient amounts of it for a longer period, it can lead to long-term diseases and neurological conditions.
Therefore, it’s crucial that you know the first warning signs of vitamin B12 deficiency so that you can treat it on time and prevent numerous health problems.
Once you learn the first signs of vitamin B12 deficiency, you’ll also read why is it so important to your overall health and which foods contain it in highest amounts.
7 WARNING SIGNS OF VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY
1. DIZZINESS
One of the first warning signs of vitamin B12 deficiency is frequent bouts of vertigo and lightheadedness (dizziness). You might get dizzy when walking upstairs or downstairs, or wobble when standing up too fast from a chair. These situations can sometimes be dangerous. If you experience symptoms of chronic vertigo, it’s best to consult your doctor to receive the proper treatment for the vitamin deficiency.
2. FORGETFULNESS
Do you often have a hard time remembering ordinary things like where have you put your keys, or what’s the name of your friend? Well, this type of uncharacteristic forgetfulness doesn’t necessarily indicate early dementia, but it can mean lack of vitamin B12, especially if it’s chronic. Many older people think they have Alzheimer’s or dementia when they actually have vitamin B12 deficiency. You can check this by doing a simple blood test, and improve your memory with a supplemental regimen.
3. Muscle Weakness
If your muscles are weak so your grocery bags feel like thousand pounds, they are probably deprived of the proper amount of oxygen from erythrocytes. Improper oxygenation to muscle cells and vitamin B12 deficiency can cause uncharacteristic muscle weakness and sluggishness. This might be the reason why you’re no longer able to carry your gym bag or heavy purse.
4. Pale Skin
You used to have those rosy cheeks that revealed your perfect health, but now you’re pale with a yellow cast. This might be caused by lack of vitamin B12 which means lack of erythrocytes. As a result, your body produces more bilirubin which replaces that rosy complexion with a pale visage.
5. Pins and Needles
Insufficient amounts of this vitamin can cause paraesthesia – more known as pins and needles. You experience tingling, prickling, or numbing sensation throughout the body, especially in the hands and feet, and a feeling of electric shock waves because of the nerve damage caused by lack of vitamin B12. Being deficient in this vitamin means reduced production of erythrocytes which in turn results in low oxygen levels in the nerve tissues.
6. Unexplained Fatigue
You’re regularly getting a good night’s sleep, but you still have that constant fatigue. Well, this can be another sign of vitamin B12 deficiency. Once again, this unexplained fatigue can occur because of reduced production of erythrocytes in your body which results in insufficient amounts of oxygen been transported to your organs.
7. Eye Problems
Long-term vitamin B12 deficiency can damage your vision and cause vision changes. Although rarely, the lack of this vitamin can cause an optic neuropathy by damaging the optic nerve resulting in reduced central vision, blurred or doubled vision, light sensitivity, shadows or tracers. Still, supplements can help restore your vision.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF VITAMIN B12 (NEXT PAGE)
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