We all need our vitamins.
But sometimes we may be deficient in certain crucial vitamins.
And that may lead to some serious medical issues.
Did you know that being diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes means you are at a greater
risk of a vitamin B12 deficiency?
Why does this water-soluble vitamin, also known as COBALAMIN, matter so much, especially
if you are currently managing diabetes?
What are the top 8 warning signs you are in the midst of a vitamin B12 deficiency?
Should you consider taking B12 supplements?
Or can you find this needed nutrient in your favorite foods?
Stay tuned, because if you are worried about your blood sugar, you won't want to miss the
surprising truths behind the power of this unique nutrient.
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Now, it s time to take your vitamins Vitamin B12, to be exact.
Let's investigate...
The Top 8 Warning Signs of Vitamin B12 Deficiency...
And In Which Foods It Can Be Found?
Vitamin B12 is vital to the health of your body and yet, your body can't make it on its
own.
That means you must get cobalamin from the foods you eat.
Cobalamin plays a role in the formation of red blood cells, nerve cell maintenance, and
it aids your body in breaking down certain fatty and amino acids.
Some evidence even suggests that this vitamin may help prevent heart disease and Alzheimer's
disease.
So, yeah, you NEED this vitamin, especially if you are worried about your weight or your
blood sugar control!
But why are you more at risk of a B12 deficiency if you are currently living with a diabetes
diagnosis?
According to a study published in Diabetes Care, researchers found that the commonly
prescribed type 2 diabetes medication METFORMIN may lead to a decrease in B12 absorption.
In fact, studies now suggest that as much as 30% of type 2 diabetics who regularly take
metformin are deficient in cobalamin.
And it's been reported that type 1 diabetes may also cause vitamin B12 to be absorbed
improperly.
This can often lead to a condition known as PERNICIOUS ANEMIA.
What's that?
Stay tuned to learn more.
But no matter your diabetes status, your risk of a B12 deficiency may be further elevated
if you don t eat meat.
That's because adequate amounts of cobalamin are difficult to acquire from plant-based
foods.
In fact, it's been reported that 90% of those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet are
B12 deficient.
But, if you are vegetarian or vegan don t worry just yet.
The fix can easy... and we'll tell you all about it shortly.
But how else can you tell if you are vulnerable to a B12 deficiency?
Studies show that those who are at risk include...
...Older adults with low levels of hydrochloric acid in the stomach's gastric juice, people
with digestive disorders, people who have had gastrointestinal surgery, and even those
who frequently partake of alcoholic beverages.
But right now you re probably wondering... how can you tell if you are B12 deficient?
Well, let's find out.
Here comes...
The Top 8 Warning Signs of Vitamin B12 Deficiency #8.
Tiredness, Weakness, and General Fatigue Do you feel weak all the time?
Do you love going to bed, but hate waking up?
And do you get plenty of sleep, yet still find yourself taking daytime naps?
If the answer is yes to any of these questions, it could be time for more vitamin B12.
Many of the symptoms caused by vitamin B12 deficiency are due to a drop in red blood
cells, also known as PERNICIOUS ANEMIA.
Your red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of your body.
But you need vitamin B12 to produce red blood cells.
So a B12 deficiency could lead to your body producing less red blood cells, which, in
turn, may mean that less oxygen goes where it's needed.
And this is why a B12 deficiency could end up making you feel tired or fatigued.
Did you know B12 helps metabolize dietary fats and protein?
As both of these macro-nutrients are essential for building, repairing, and maintaining your
muscle tissue, a B12 deficiency may also lead to muscle weakness.
Have you noticed a drop in your ability to carry heavier loads, or do you suffer muscle
aches when you try?
It may be time to visit your doctor to see if you are experiencing a deficiency in cobalamin.
#7.
Stomach Issues We're all different, but having healthy bowel
movements typically means visiting the porcelain throne at least three to seven times a week.
Research shows that chronic anemia from long periods of a B12 deficiency may lead to digestive
issues, including constipation.
On the flip side, a vitamin B12 deficiency can also be a cause of diarrhea.
Indeed, the proper functioning of specific regions of your digestive tract, including
your stomach, your small and large intestines, your colon, and your rectum, all rely on B
vitamins.
As vitamin B12 helps to generate digestive enzymes which break down food molecules into
nutrients, a lack of these enzymes may end up suppressing your appetite.
It could even lead to sudden fat loss.
So trouble in the bathroom, along with related digestive issues, like a loss of appetite,
weight loss, incontinence, inflammatory bowel disease, or frequently experiencing an upset
stomach, can all be due to a B12 deficiency.
And studies show that these symptoms may become more pronounced with age.
In fact, recent reports have found that the human body s ability to properly absorb and
utilize vitamin B12 decreases with age, and a U.K. study found that 1 in 10 adults over
the age of 75 are deficient in this needed vitamin.
Therefore, if you find yourself with chronic bathroom or stomach issues, especially in
your golden years, it could very well be a sign that you need to acquire more B vitamins,
and specifically, more cobalamin.
#6.
Pale or Jaundiced Skin and Eyes As a B12 deficiency can cause issues with
red blood cell production, it can also create a condition known as MEGALOBLASTIC ANEMIA.
This form of anemia causes red blood cells produced in bone marrow to become overly large
and fragile.
That may then mean that those red blood cells have trouble exiting the bone marrow, which,
in essence, can lead to a decreased amount of red blood cells circulating in your blood
stream.
And this can end up causing your skin to look pale.
Plus, megaloblastic anemia can also cause red blood cells to break down, which creates
a build-up of the substance BILIRUBIN in the liver.
Excess bilirubin can lead to a yellow tinge of your skin or your eyes.
If you've noticed a paleness or yellowing of your skin or eyes, you may want to ask
your doctor if you are deficient in B12.
#5 Glossitis and Mouth Ulcers Glossitis, also called geographic tongue,
is a condition in which the tongue becomes inflamed or discolored.
It can also lead to a change in surface texture of the tongue.
As a result, everyday tasks like chewing, swallowing, or talking may become uncomfortable
or even painful.
As previously mentioned, inadequate levels of cobalamin can lead to several forms of
anemia, which can then cause glossitis.
It may also lead painful lesions or mouth ulcers to appear on the gums and the tongue.
In fact, a U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health study found
a strong link between B12 deficiency and oral changes, in general.
So if you find yourself with any of these mouth issues, it could be a sign that you
need to acquire more cobalamin.
#4.
Dizziness Frequent dizzy spells, and even persistent
dizziness, are rarely life-threatening.
But they may be a sign of a B12 deficiency.
As we've already highlighted, being deficient in cobalamin can cause a shortage of red blood
cells.
This can make it more difficult for your body to supply oxygen to your cells.
This can lead to feelings of breathlessness and dizziness.
It's also a reason that you may feel tired or weak.
Vitamin B12 is utilized by the body in the production of MYELIN, a fatty substance which
sheathes nerve cells to insulate and protect them from damage.
Therefore, low levels of colabamin can contribute to PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY, a type of nerve
damage often associated with diabetes.
And this, too, can cause feelings of lightheadedness.
So if you often feel dizzy, especially if you currently suffer from diabetes, you ll
want to ask your doctor if a B12 deficiency may be a main cause.
#3.
Pins and Needles Speaking of peripheral neuropathy, here is
another symptom associated with this form of nerve damage.
As chronic high blood sugar levels can lead to nerve damage in the hands and legs, type
1 and type 2 diabetics are at a heightened risk of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
But, as already mentioned, a lack of cobalamin can also lead to neuropathic damage.
Do you ever feel an area of your skin becoming numb to the touch?
Or perhaps you experience the sensation of tingling, as if your skin is being lightly
touched by pins and needles.
The medical term for this condition is PARESTHESIA.
In most cases, paresthesia is only temporary, lasting a few minutes at most.
But not all pins and needles are temporary, and they can even be painful.
As we've mentioned, B12 is used by the body to help create the protective sheathing of
nerve cells.
Therefore, a lack of cobalamin can lead to neuropathic impairment and may result in uncomfortable
or painful pins and needles.
So if you often feel tingling in your arms, hands, legs, it could be due to peripheral
neuropathy, and it may be a sign that you need more B12.
What are the top 2 warning signs to watch for when it comes to a B12 deficiency?
Keep watching to find out!
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Now, back to the list...
#2.
Memory Loss Studies show that the risk of Alzheimer's
disease and vascular dementia is higher if you have diabetes.
But did you know a B12 deficiency can also cause memory loss?
Vascular dementia is memory loss caused by poor blood flow to your brain.
Therefore, as a lack of cobalamin can reduce red blood cell stores and impact the oxygen
delivery to your brain, a B12 deficiency might be the culprit of memory loss.
Also, as cobalamin is used in the sheathing of nerve cells, neuropathic damage from a
lack of B12 may also disrupt healthy brain function.
And some studies now suggest that a chronic lack of vitamin B12 may create heightened
levels of HOMOCYSTEINE, an amino acid which may damage brain tissue and interfere with
incoming and outgoing brain signals.
That's why related warning signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency include sudden changes in mood
or depression.
If you are experiencing any of these brain-centric conditions, you'll most likely want to ask
your doctor if they might be related to a lack of cobalamin.
But what is the #1 warning sign of a B12 deficiency?
Watch out for...
#1.
Vision Problems Now you know that a B12 deficiency can create
several types of nerve damage, including peripheral neuropathy.
It can also cause OPTIC NEUROPATHY.
While this type of neuropathy is often OVERLOOKED you still need to watch out, as it can effect
many older adults, especially older diabetics.
Optic neuropathy can damage the eye s optic nerves, and it may interfere with the blood
vessels of the retina.
This can then disrupt the nervous signal which travels from your eye to your brain, thus
impairing your vision.
Are you currently experiencing blurred or double vision?
Although generally painless, reduced vision can disrupt your daily life.
But there's some good news, too.
If low vitamin B12 intake is the cause behind your failing eyesight, then B12 can also be
its savior.
Studies show that taking B12 supplements or adding cobalamin-rich foods to your diet may
reverse optic neuropathy.
So, that leads to the big question...
WHAT FOODS SUPPLY VITAMIN B12?
According to The National Institutes of Health, the average adult should ingest 2.4 micrograms
of cobalamin per day.
Some of the best sources of this vital nutrient include
...eggs, beef, salmon, trout, and even certain cheeses.
One of the richest edible sources of vitamin B12 on the planet are clams.
In fact, just 3 ounces of clams can contain a whopping 84 micrograms of this B vitamin!
As we've mentioned, plant-based foods tend not to contain high levels of cobalamin.
However, some fortified soy products and certain types of chocolate may provide small amounts
of this very essential vitamin.
But if you are vegan or vegetarian, acquiring cobalamin simply through your diet may be
a difficult task.
Therefore, you may want to ask your doctor if vitamin B12 supplements are right for you.
Have you encountered any of these 8 warning signs of B12 deficiency?
We'd love to hear your experiences, so please share your story with our community by commenting
below.
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