Are You Suffering From A B12 Vitamin Deficiency?

Apr 25, 2018

Getting older can cause a myriad of issues in our bodies. One of these issues is the fact that our bodies aren’t able to absorb vitamin B12 as well as before. We need this vitamin to help develop our red blood cells and DNA but the human body is not capable of producing it on its own. That’s why we must get B12 from supplements or foods that are animal-based.

If you don’t pay any attention to the importance of this vitamin you can end up suffering from vitamin B12 deficiency.
 

At the present, around 40% of Americans suffer from a deficiency of the B12 vitamin. Individuals who are dealing with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome also suffer from this deficiency along with the disease.

You may experience the following symptoms if your body is vitamin B12 deficient:
 

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. However, this type of fatigue is not just your everyday tiredness. You might be feeling exhausted even though you’re getting 8 hours of sleep every night. If so, you could be suffering from a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Your body needs this vitamin to produce red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. If your body produces more red blood cells you will feel more awake.
 

Your muscles need oxygen to stay strong. Your red blood cells provide your muscles with this oxygen, and if you don’t get enough B12, your body won’t produce enough red blood cells. Thus, the weakness you feel in your muscles.
 

Many people assume memory loss is a sign of dementia, old age, or Alzheimer’s. But a lack of vitamin B12 can also cause your memory to fade.

When you don’t have a sufficient amount of red blood cells in your body, your brain doesn’t receive the amount of oxygen that is essential. This may cause loss of memory as it cannot function the way you have been used to.
 

Your skin may look yellowish if you have a vitamin B12 deficiency. When your red blood cells are broken, bilirubin is released, giving the skin a yellowish tint. However, this could also be a sign of jaundice, so make sure you talk to your doctor if you notice your skin is yellow in color.
 

The small bumps you can see and feel on your tongue are known as papillae. If you don’t have any, you may have a vitamin B1 deficiency. Many people also complain that the back of their tongue hurts when they have this deficiency.

Not only that, the papillae contain taste buds; so if you lose them, your food may not taste as good to you.
 

In very severe cases, a lack of vitamin B12 can actually damage your optic nerve. It does so by plugging up your blood vessels that lead to the retina, causing blurry or double vision.

Vision loss is rare but also a concern at this point. Talk to your doctor if your vision starts to decline.
 

Not all bacteria is bad for our bodies. The good bacteria is responsible for absorbing nutrients back into our bodies by breaking down what we eat. But if we have an imbalance of gut bacteria, the result may be the improper absorption of nutrients that are essential to us, including B12.

Chemotherapy also causes irritation and inflammation of the gut.
 

The first step is to change your diet if you want to get rid of your deficiency. You will need to add foods that are high in B12, such as chicken, lamb, fish, chicken liver and beef liver.
 

You may also want to start taking B12 supplements. Talk to your doctor before taking any to make sure you are taking the right kind and dosage. Methylcobalamin and Cyanocobalamin are two good choices to begin with.
 

Probiotic sources include kombucha, dark chocolate, and kefir. These help to absorb vitamin B12 more effectively.
 

Reduce how many inflammatory foods you eat to keep your gut healthy. These include fast foods, fried foods, packaged foods, food additives and low-quality meats.

By following the right diet and taking B12 supplements, you should not suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency. Talk to your doctor if you recognize any of the aforementioned signs.

What do you think about this article? Do you think you could be vitamin B12 deficient? If so, let us know in the comments and share this article to inform your friends and family!

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!