You try to eat right and get all of your vitamins and minerals from whole, fresh foods, but vitamin deficiencies can show up as physical symptoms.
We intake vitamins and nutrients from our food as part of our digestion process. Unlike vitamin D, which can be produced by our bodies, B-12 comes only from outside sources into the body. B-12 is an essential nutrient that your body uses to produce red blood cells, DNA and nerves.
WHY B-12 IS IMPORTANT
You don’t need much, in fact the daily requirement for B-12 is the lowest of all of the B vitamins. Most adults need only 2.4 micrograms per day. But it is important in many bodily functions. Deficiencies in B-12 can lead to severe health problems.
An extreme deficiency of B-12 can contribute to cardiovascular disease, anemia, stroke, memory loss, incontinence, paranoia, depression and other serious health problems. By knowing the signs of a B-12 deficiency, you can take action to reverse any negative health effects.
HERE ARE 7 SIGNS YOU MAY HAVE A B12 DEFICIENCY
1. Fatigue
Feeling tired? B-12 is important for aerobic energy in the body. Without enough of this vitamin, our bodies are not getting the oxygen and energy that we need. Lightheadedness is also a sign that you aren’t getting enough B-12.
2. Tingling and Numbness
Losing sensation in hands and feet along with the tingling sensation of pins and needles could be a sign of a B-12 deficiency. Check with your doctor for blood work to determine the cause.
3. Joint pain
Severe joint pain that isn’t due to injury or chronic inflammation, like arthritis, could be cause for alarm. Also, slower reflexes have been observed in B-12 deficient patients.
4. Rapid heartbeat or breathing
Shortness of breath, heart palpitations and a rapid heartbeat have all been associated with B-12 deficiency. If in doubt, get it checked out.
5. Weakness
In one case study of severe B-12 deficiency, a man had trouble walking due to the weakness that he experienced. In addition to muscle weakness, balance problems and staggering could indicate a problem.
6. Jaundice
Jaundice is a yellowing of skin or whites of the eyes and can indicate several serious medical problems.
7. Swollen tongue
Some patients with B-12 deficiency experience an inflammation of the tongue. Other signs related to the mouth also include a smooth tongue as well as a decreased sense of taste.
