Vitamin b12 deficiency happens when the body lacks the water-soluble vitamin b12. One reason for the deficiency is it may be caused by the malfunctioning of the intestines making them unable to absorb the vitamin. Another more common reason is it could be caused by the lack of vitamin b12 in the diet. The deficiency is most known for causing pernicious anemia. Vitamin b12 is very important for the healthy production of blood. So a deficiency can significantly disrupt the development of red blood cells. Correspondingly, the best food sources for vitamin b12 deficiency are read meats and dairy products. Interestingly, the deficiency has been increasingly seen in vegans because they don’t eat meat.
Vitamin b12 deficiency it is not very easy to diagnose. Often, it can be confused as a different disease or condition because its symptoms are not unique to the disease alone. The most common vitamin b12 deficiency symptoms are headaches, nausea and general weakness. There can also be shortness of breath. The skin could become very pale. Chest pains and heart palpitations may also occur. Appetite could diminish or be lost. In some cases, there may be diarrhea. Some may experience soreness in the tongue and mouth. Yet others could experience a tingling sensation in their extremities.
If left untreated, the symptoms of vitamin b12 deficiency could progress gravely. In terms of mental faculties, it could lead to dementia, depression, and memory loss. It could lead to permanent nerve damage. The tingling sensation could become numbness. Internally it could lead to an enlarged liver, heartburn, and abdominal bleeding.
The best cure for b12 deficiency is still prevention. But if that can not be done, then it is early detection and treatment. Some treatment options that doctors recommend include altering the diet to include more b12 rich foods and b12 injections.