Most people do not understand just how serious having low levels of vitamin b12 is. Sure, people take B12 shots to help with things like b12 weight loss, and low energy levels. But there are many people out there who are experiencing b12 deficiency symptoms and don’t even know it! Sadly, a low level of vitamin b12 has been linked to many things. In addition to dealing with the vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms, people with low B12 are also much more prone to develop chronic disease like heart disease, fibromyalgia and cancer.
What Vitamin B12 Does in Your Body
To understand why a b12 deficiency is so serious and why many people deal with a b12 deficiency by taking a regular b12 shot, let’s take a look at what B12 does in your body. There are many vitamin b12 benefits. Essentially, vitamin B12 is a red crystalline substance that plays a roll in every cell in your body. It is required for blood to form and tissues to grow. In addition to playing a major role in DNA replication and the formation of hemoglobin for red blood cells, vitamin B12 is also important to your neural cells. It helps the fatty substance called myelin that is around your nerve cells for protection to form. Vitamin B12 is often called the energy vitamin, because it helps fat and protein to metabolize in your body.
A key function of Vitamin B12 is to work in the body to reduce homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is an amino acid that is the result of many of your body’s natural functions. It also happens to be toxic. Scientific research has linked elevated homocysteine levels to the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s.
B12 Deficiency Symptoms – Would You Recognize the Signs of B12 Deficiency?
Symptoms of B12 deficiency often go undiagnosed. This is largely because there are a variety of symptoms and very often they can be mistaken for something else. For example, many of the early b12 vitamin deficiency symptoms are often brushed off as the normal signs of aging. At the other end of the spectrum, some people experience very dramatic symptoms even when they are only experiencing moderately low (or low/normal) levels. In these cases, most of the time a B12 deficiency is not considered as a potential cause of the problem because the symptoms are so significant that it does not seem possible that moderately low or borderline b12 levels could be the culprit. Sadly, it is not at all uncommon for B 12 deficiency symptoms to be mis-diagnosed or the signs of b12 deficiency to be ignored all together!
Here are some of the common symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency:
Neurological B Vitamin Deficiency Symptoms
- Mental confusion
- Delusions
- Paranoia
- Headaches
- Depression
- Impulse Control
- Pins and needles in the extremities
- Balance issues
Gastrointestinal Symptoms of B Vitamin Deficiency
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Bloating
- Loss of Appetite
- Weight Loss
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Other Symptoms of B12 Vitamin Deficiency
- Fatigue
- Paleness
- Shortness of breath that results from only very light exertion
- White spots on the skin (typically the forearm) due to decreased melatonin
These varied B12 deficiency symptoms’ are the result of the body not creating sufficient red blood cells due to the decreased levels of B12. Red blood cells are required to carry oxygen to all of your cells so having insufficient red blood cells essentially starves your body of oxygen.
What Should You Do about B12 Deficiency Symptoms?
If you suspect that you have a b12 deficiency, the most important thing that you can do is see your health professional. It is important to understand that it takes at least two separate tests to confirm that a B12 deficiency exists. Additionally, in some instances you can test as having normal levels of vitamin B12 and still your body is not getting what it needs. As far as b12 vegan eaters most always need to supplement.
If you find (or even suspect) that you have low levels of b12, talk to your doctor about whether taking a b12 injection is the best option for you. B12 injections can be given to you by your doctor, but many physicians will also prescribe them to take at home. You can either give yourself b 12 shots, or have a family member give them to you. Because folic acid and symptoms of b12 deficiency often go hand in hand, it can also be wise to take a folic acid supplement. Vit B12 deficiency symptoms are definitely something that you don’t want to ignore!
{ 12 comments }
