B12 deficiency signs: Tingling in the hands and feet can be an early warning sign of vitamin B12 deficiency
Why is vitamin B12 important?
Our bodies need several vitamins and nutrients to carry out all the bodily functions properly. So if your body is deficient in certain vitamins, it can lead to minor or major health complications, depending from person to person.
Such is the case with vitamin B12 deficiency, an essential vitamin used by the body to create healthy red blood cells.
Risks of long term deficiency
Long-term vitamin B12 deficiency can be dangerous for your health. It can lead to potential lasting side effects such as nerve damage, heart failure and even stomach cancer. It is important to be aware of any warning symptoms to help detect the deficiency timely, and be treated immediately. Here are some common signs to note:
Tingling in the hands or feet
An early sign of vitamin B12-related nerve damage is tingling in the hands or feet. It may feel like having 'pins and needles'. This can happen due to nerve damage or nerve conduction problems due to absence of required amounts of vitamin B12 in the body.
Vitamin B12 and dementia risk
Since vitamin B12 supports nerve function, deficiency can even lead to permanent nerve damage that can result in cognitive decline (dementia).
Other symptoms
Vitamin B12 is vital for red blood cells to divide and become active. These red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. A lack of vitamin B12 can lead to fatigue due to the lack of oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood. This is called megaloblastic anemia. Apart from fatigue, other symptoms of B12 deficiency can include rapid breathing or shortness of breath, headaches, indigestion, loss of appetite, palpitations, problems with your vision, feeling weak, diarrhea, a sore or red tongue, problems with memory, understanding and judgment (cognitive changes). 06/6How to prevent B12 deficiency?
Vitamin B12 is found in animal product foods such as meat, fish, cheese, eggs and butter. For vegetarians, it can be found in fortified plant milks, fortified cereals, nutritional yeast such as Marmite and other processed foods such as some meat alternatives. However, according to health experts, these sources have not been shown to provide a reliable, adequate amount of vitamin B12. So, if you are vegetarian or vegan, it is recommended to take supplements after consultation with your doctor or certified nutritionist.
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