How to tell if you are deficient in vitamin B12 – and why it's important

Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that the body needs to function properly, but it can not produce it itself.

It is found mainly in animal products, which means that vitamin deficiencies are particularly common among vegans and vegetarians.

If left untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to a number of physical and mental health problems.

For everything you need to know about vitamin B12, read on …

What is vitamin B12?

Also known as cobalamin, vitamin B12 is necessary to perform several important bodily functions, such as the support of the nervous system.

It is also necessary for the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen through the protein called hemoglobin.

why do you need it?

With folate and vitamin B6, vitamin B12 is necessary for the health of red blood cells, says Rhiannon Lambert, a nutritionist at Harley Street.

"We must above all prevent anemia and maintain a healthy nervous system, "she says L & # 39; s independent.

A deficiency can lead to the production of abnormally large red blood cells, which can not carry blood as efficiently as normally.

According to the NHS, this can lead to a series of health problems such as extreme fatigue, lack of energy, canker sores, muscle weakness, disturbed vision and a painful tongue.

Studies have shown that this can also affect your mental health, leading to memory and judgment problems and, in some cases, depression.

A recent study also showed that people with vitamin B12 deficiency had lower than normal bone mineral density, which could lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis.

In severe cases, vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to complications such as temporary infertility, pregnancy complications and heart problems.

It is especially important for pregnant women to ensure that they have sufficient levels of vitamin B12, as this can help reduce the risk of birth defects.

"It is important that vitamin B12 deficiency be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible," adds Lambert.

"Although many of the symptoms improve with treatment, some problems caused by the disease can be irreversible if left untreated.

"The more the condition is not treated, the more the risk of permanent damage is high."

What can you eat to prevent vitamin B12 deficiency?

Vitamin B12 is present in animal products such as meat, milk, cheese and eggs.

Obviously, this can be a problem for vegans and vegetarians, or those who do not consume many of the above foods, as they will not naturally consume the vitamin through their diet.

While most nutritionists recommend taking a supplement containing vitamin B12 to fight a deficiency, some fortified foods also contain it, such as nutritional yeast, cooking pot and some cereals for breakfast.

Lambert points out that a number of herbal foods, such as soy, rice milk, oatmeal, milks, are often fortified with vitamin B12, however, she advises to check the label to make sure that an enriched variety is chosen.

What supplements can you take?

In most cases, a vitamin B12 deficiency can be prevented or treated by additional injections administered by a doctor or you can take tablets that you can buy at most pharmacies.

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If you choose to use the tablet, prices may vary depending on where you make your purchase.

You can buy a vat of 100 tablets at Holland & Barrett for £ 7.49 here, or you can shop at an online retailer like Nature's Best, which will charge you £ 4.60 for a vat of 100 tablets.

What causes vitamin B12 deficiency?

In addition to consuming a private animal product diet, there are a number of other ways to cause vitamin B12 deficiency.

For example, certain medications such as proton pump inhibitors (used to reduce the production of stomach acid) and anticonvulsants (taken to treat seizures) can affect the amount of vitamin B12 absorbed by the body. organization.

So even if you consume enough of it from your diet or supplements, the body might still be deficient.

How is vitamin B12 deficiency different from anemia?

The general medical term for having fewer red blood cells than normal is anemia, although it is important to note that there are different types of anemia and not all of them are related to vitamin B12.

For example, a common form of anemia is caused by the lack of iron in the body.

This is especially common among women.