Vitamin B12 is a vitamin that takes part of various vital body functions. The deficiency of this vitamin can cause health issues and diseases which is why it is extremely important to pay attention to the signs your body is giving you when you are vitamin B12 deficient.
Before we explain the most common signs of vitamin B12 deficiency, we are going to tell you a bit more about the benefits of this vitamin for your health:
Protects your heart
Vitamin B12 has the ability to reduce the homocysteine levels in your blood, that are one of the greatest reasons for heart disease. These homocysteine levels in the blood are only neutralized by B complex vitamins. That’s why you should always have vitamin B12 by your side.
Prevents nerve damage
Vitamin B12 replenishes the myelin sheath of the nerves which serves as a protection from harm. This way the vitamin provides protection from nerve damage and breakdown.
Important for your bones
Studies showed that people suffering from osteoporosis had low vitamin B12 levels and high homocysteine levels in their blood. Osteoporosis is characterised by weak and brittle bones and loss of bone tissue. In case you suffer from osteoporosis, check your levels at your doctor.
Keeps your body supplied with energy
Vitamin B12 boosts your cells energy levels, which is why people who are deficient in this vitamin feel tired most of the time. It is also very important for the metabolism because it converts carbohydrates into energy.
Main symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency:
Plays a major role in the creation of erythrocytes, the cells which transport oxygen through the whole body. Lack of this vitamin results in an inadequate amount of erythrocytes, i.e. a condition which is called anaemia, that has fatigue as a sign.
Numbness in the head and feet
Causes low levels of oxygen in the body, leading to a weird numbness in the feet and head.
This is the most common sign of vitamin deficiency. It happens as a result of reduced oxygen levels in the cells making you sleepy and tired. Sleepiness doesn’t always mean you are vitamin deficient, however if it appears in combination with the above-mentioned symptoms, it can be a strong sign.
Inflamed and swollen tongue
One of the commonest symptoms of lack of vitamin is the disappearance of papillae. I.e. the small bumps on the surface on your tongue. They are responsible for the taste in our mouth, meaning that if you lose them, you are going to lose the feeling of taste in your mouth. Those people who suffer from this reported that the food they had consumed doesn’t have the taste it used to have before.
These foods are the best natural source of vitamin B12:
Eggs –They are a cheap source of vitamin and also can be eaten and prepared in different ways.
Clams – Clams are rich in vitamins, iron and potassium. Eating only 3 oz. of clams provides you with 23.8 mg of iron and 126 calories.
Also beef – It’s rich in vitamin B12 and A. However, when buying it, always chose lean beef meat.
Turkey – Turkey is also an excellent source of vitamin B12 and only 1 portion of this food provides you with 48 mg of vitamin B12.
If you’re vegan, yogurt, cheese, cereal, nutritional yeast, and plant-based milk have a high content of vitamin B12.