Telltale Signs That You Need More Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a member of the extensive group of B-vitamins. Also referred to at times as cobalamin, this nutrient is very important to keeping your energy levels up, as wall as maintaining healthy muscles, blood, nerve and brain. Continue reading to know some of the signs and symptoms you are likely to encounter if you’re not getting enough vitamin B12.

Mild Anemia

One very common outcome of vitamin B12 deficiency is mild anemia, a condition characterized by insufficient red blood cells (hemoglobin) in the blood which carry oxygen. Anemia happens because vitamin B12 is important for proper cell multiplication. If you’re not getting enough of the said nutrient in your diet, the multiplication of red blood cells drops.

Palpitation and Shortness of Breath

Due to mild anemia caused by insufficient intake of vitamin B12 daily, it’s not unlikely for you to experience palpitation which is characterized by rapid and strong beating of the heart. Shortness of breath is also another common symptom of anemia. Dealing with anemia helps manage both heart palpitations and shortness of breath.




Impaired Metal Processes

Do you feel like you’re inexplicably irritated, confused and forgetful most of the time? Maybe it’s high time that you include more vitamin B12-rich foods in your diet. Studies have also shown that deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to brain fog and confusion most especially among the elderly or those above 60 years of age.

Depression

Experts say that insufficient amounts of vitamin B12 may lead to depression. It’s for the fact that the said nutrient and the rest of the B-vitamins are important for the production of certain brain chemicals. An imbalance in these brain chemicals can cause depression. Dementia and paranoia may also be brought about by vitamin B12 deficiency.

Numbness and Tingling Sensation

You might want to consume more foods with vitamin B12 if you are often bugged by a tingling sensation in your feet and/or hands. Some people also experience numbness or a burning sensation. Vitamin B12 is important for proper nerve functioning. Lacking in this vitamin may cause peripheral neuropathy, a condition characterized by the said symptoms.

Muscle Weakness

Deficiency in vitamin B12 can make your muscles weak. That’s because the proper absorption of folic acid, also a member of the B-vitamins, by the muscles is impeded if you are not getting enough vitamin B12 daily. You may also notice that you easily get bruised if your everyday diet is lacking in the said nutrient.

Fatigue

Last but not least, vitamin B12 can leave you feeling exhausted all the time. It has something to do with the fact that you may have a low count of red blood cells which transport oxygen to the muscles, and your muscles are not utilizing folic acid properly. To feel energized, consider including more vitamin B12-rich foods in your diet.

The above are just some of the problems you may encounter if you’re not getting enough vitamin B12. Supplementing is not always necessary especially if you are suffering from mild forms of the above symptoms because there are so many excellent food sources of vitamin B12. Some of them include shellfish, crustaceans, fish, beef and chicken liver, as well as vitamin B12-fortified products such as breakfast cereals and tofu.



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