Vitamin B12, additionally known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system. Vitamin B12 is involved in the formation of blood cells, DNA synthesis and energy production. It increases your concentration and boosts your memory system. It delays ageing and protects the immune system. Vitamin B12 is additionally used to treat many diseases like depression, anemia, heart disorders, diabetes, AIDS, swollen tendons and bowel diseases.
Natural foods rich in vitamin B12 are food items like meat, dairy products and fish. Lack of vitamin B12 in the body will result in its deficiency. There are many contributing factors of vitamin B12 deficiency. Some of vitamin B12 deficiency causes are:
Pernicious Anaemia– the foremost common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency is pernicious anaemia. It’s an immune condition that’s caused by the lack of a protein known as intrinsic factor that is required to absorb vitamin B12 from the food into the body. It’s more normally observed in older people.
Vegetarian Diet– those who follow a strict vegetarian are at a larger risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency. The rich natural sources of vitamin B12 are eggs, meat, fish and dairy merchandise.
- Gastritis
- Stomach ulcers
- Digestive ill nesss like coeliac disease, crohn’s illness and bacterial growth
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
When vitamin B12 is deficient, cell division slows down. Because of this slow cell division, red blood cells are enlarged and destroyed by the immune system. There are many symptoms caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. They are:-
1. Chronic Fatigue– With vitamin B12 deficiency, there’s a persistent feeling of exhaustion and fatigue.
2. Incontinence– due to vitamin B12 deficiency, the bladder is incapable of holding urine and leakage occurs.
3. Shortness of Breath– Shortness of breath or slow breathing is principally caused due to B12 not being properly absorbed by the body.
4. Forgetfulness– Forgetfulness may be a common symptom when the neurological system is deprived of vitamin B12.
5. Hallucinations and Psychosis– one of the intense symptoms that may occur because of vitamin B12 deficiency is hallucinations and weak mental conditions.
Does vitamin B12 cause weight gain or weight loss?
No! vitamin B12 deficiency undoubtedly doesn’t cause weight gain. One of the most important symptoms related to vitamin B12 deficiency is weight loss. Weight loss happens when the body doesn’t have adequate amounts of vitamin B12 in it.
Vitamin B12 typically affects the digestive system initially, resulting in loads of indigestion and nausea-related issues, causing a lack of appetency, vomiting and weight loss. If your abdomen has been hurting too again and again lately, this could be a symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency. Unexplained weight loss may make you happy and will appear to be a blessing, however if weight loss occurs without any diet or exercise then it’s something to stress about. It might be due to vitamin B12 deficiency. The primary impact vitamin B12 deficiency has on the body is the immediate weight loss that’s visible.
How to get more vitamin B12?
The best and natural sources of vitamin B12 back in your body is to eat foods that contain it. Foods rich in vitamin B12 are meat, eggs, fish and dairy products. Aside from these natural sources, you can get vitamin B12 capsules, syrups and also health drinks that assure to bring back your vitamin B12 levels back to normal. Vitamin B12, being the foremost essential nutrition in your body, protects your immune system and keeps your body healthy normally.
