One of the most important vitamins that you need to stay healthy and feel great is vitamin B12. This essential vitamin is responsible for making DNA. It also plays a big role in keeping your nerve and blood cells healthy and functioning normally. When you have adequate levels of vitamin B12, you will experience optimal brain function, energy, and a steady metabolism.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Diagnoses
Most people get enough of this nutrient naturally. You need to consume vitamin-rich foods since your body can’t produce this vitamin. Great sources of B12 are meats, poultry, eggs, fish, and dairy.
If your diet doesn’t provide you with enough of this necessary vitamin, you may need some extra help. You can get your levels checked with a blood test to determine if you are deficient. Treatment for a B12 deficiency involves diet changes and supplements. You can even buy b12 injections online for your convenience.
Symptoms of Low Levels
You may not notice any signs or symptoms of a problem with your B12 levels if the deficiency is mild. However, if left untreated, the condition will worsen and some common symptoms will begin to show up.
One of the most noticeable is a lack of energy. It’s normal to have an off day once in a while where you just don’t feel like doing much, but if you experience fatigue consistently for a lengthy period of time, you need to visit your doctor.
Tiredness is often accompanied by other symptoms such as weakness or balance issues, numbness, or tingling. You may experience shortness of breath that is unusual for you. You could have some gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea. Even memory loss and depression can be caused by a lack of vitamin B12.
Contributing Factors
Usually, a vitamin B12 deficiency is simply a matter of an incorrect diet. Since one of the main sources of dietary B12 comes from animal products, vegans need to be careful to include other vitamin-rich foods like certain grains and cereals.
Diet is not always the culprit. There are certain conditions that can make you more prone to experiencing a low vitamin level. If you have any of these, it’s especially important to have regular checks with your doctor to monitor your health.
A common condition that will contribute to inadequate B12 is anemia. This is where your body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells due to the lack of the right vitamins. Other illnesses that can affect your B12 levels are intestinal diseases like Crohn’s and Celiac, and immune problems like Lupus.
Sometimes surgeries on your stomach or intestines will lead to a vitamin B12 problem. Additional causes are excessive alcohol consumption and even some medications that are taken to treat heartburn.
If you are vigilant about your health, you will be more likely to notice any signs that something is wrong. As soon as you notice any changes, talk to your doctor. The sooner you address the problem, the easier it will be to correct it.