THESE are the ALARM SYMPTOMS of LACK of VITAMIN B12 in your body. How to increase vitamin b12? Hello!
B12 vitamin! A very important vitamin for the proper functioning of our neurons and our nerves. It is also a fundamental vitamin for our blood cells, specifically red blood cells, to work correctly and fulfill their functions in our body.
But what is alarming is that between 2 and 20% of people suffer from a lack of this essential vitamin, often without knowing it. That's why it's important to recognize the signs and symptoms of a person with Vitamin B12 deficiency. You know?
In this video you will understand everything about Vitamin B12 and why it is essential for our well-being. What foods are richest in vitamin B12 that you should consume on a daily basis? And how can we ensure maximum absorption of this vitamin to increase its levels in our blood.
So stay until the end and find out! But first, enjoy the video, subscribe to the channel so you don't miss our health tips, and activate the bell so you don't miss out on watching our next videos. And it is also very important for you to share this knowledge with your friends and family.
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Let's go! What are the main symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency? 1st Neurological symptoms Let's start with the main thing, with the brain, where Vitamin B12 plays one of the most important roles.
Imagine the brain as a network of neurons, true factories of chemical products and electrical energy, which transmit nerve signals to other organs and systems. Neurons do this through axons, which are long “cables” that carry signals from the neuron's body to other parts of the body, such as our muscles for you to move or for your heart to beat slower or faster . These axons are surrounded by a protective layer of lipids and proteins, produced by special cells called Schwann cells.
This is the fascinating world where Vitamin B12 works, a key element in the health of our nervous system. The crucial point here is that myelin, a substance made up of lipids, acts as an insulator, conductor and protector for the long "cables" of neurons, which can stretch for meters. Myelin not only protects but also facilitates the rapid transmission of nerve signals.
This is where Vitamin B12 comes in, which is essential for the proper formation of myelin. Without Vitamin B12, myelin is not produced correctly, which triggers a warning signal in our body: the neurological symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency. These symptoms include numbness or pain in the fingers and toes, which can be described as burning, stinging, tingling or strange sensations.
Additionally, there may be perceptions of "pins and needles" at these fingertips. These are all signs that myelin is not being synthesized efficiently due to a lack of Vitamin B12. So a lack of B12 can create a deterioration in the myelin sheath of your nerves and neurons, which can sometimes be even irreversible!
Look how important it is for you to prevent. In more serious cases, Vitamin B12 deficiency can even lead to dizziness, balance problems, resulting in uneven walking or falls. Be very careful with the elderly, who are the ones who suffer most from a lack of b12.
But not only that, it can cause behavioral changes such as irritability, depression and intense fatigue. The person feels tired, without energy for anything. And I have to remember that b12 is very important for memory!
I made a video about vitamins for memory and there I said that a multivitamin could reduce memory loss in the elderly. A new study has just come out at the end of 2023 that confirmed the findings and it is speculated that this improvement in memory is linked to the increase in b12- levels. If you have a weak memory, you need to investigate whether your vitamin B12 is low.
. . A peculiar neurological symptom of Vitamin B12 deficiency is the electric sensation when bending the neck forward - Lhermitte's sign.
Although it seems unusual, it is a very specific symptom. This sensation indicates that there is some form of dysfunction in the transmission of nerve impulses. Additionally, there may be a loss of sensation of vibration in the skin.
Let's move on to the next symptoms Hematological symptoms - which have to do with your blood In addition to neurons and nerves, another place that vitamin B12 is crucial is in the manufacture of blood cells, specifically the production of red blood cells, red blood cells. These cells are produced in the bone marrow, inside our bones, from stem cells. The importance of Vitamin B12 extends to the adequate production of DNA, directly impacting cell division and the formation of red blood cells.
Think of a mature red blood cell, ready to leave the bone marrow and circulate in the blood. It needs to have specific characteristics: be small enough to travel throughout our circulation, including the tiny blood vessels and capillaries. Additionally, these cells must be extremely flexible to shape themselves as needed to transport oxygen.
Red blood cells have a life cycle of approximately 120 days, which is crucial for preventing anemia. In the absence of Vitamin B12, these red blood cells have a reduced useful life and are destroyed more quickly, because they leave with a factory defect. Red blood cells tend to be larger than normal and immature.
Therefore, Vitamin B12 is essential not only for the production of red blood cells, but also for their effectiveness and longevity, that is, red blood cells will not live their 120 days, they will live much less. A lack of B12 leads to a specific type of anemia known as megaloblastic anemia. Megaloblastic means that the red blood cells become larger than normal and immature cells (megaloblasts).
Take a good look. Anemia. What are the symptoms of anemia?
Tiredness, extreme fatigue, wanting to sleep, shortness of breath when you climb a hill. And you can easily recognize the signs of anemia. Then the person will have paler, whiter skin , pallor of the mucous membrane of the eyes, lips, white palms.
And another sign is that because of the faster destruction of red blood cells, the person may have jaundice, in other words. Your skin may turn yellow, as may your eyes. Another interesting thing is that the lack of b12 doesn't just affect red blood cells.
It can lead to leukopenia, which is a decrease in the number of white blood cells, increasing the risk of infections and also a reduction in the number of platelets, increasing your risk of bleeding. Next symptoms- oral and gastrointestinal There are intriguing symptoms associated with Vitamin B12 deficiency, such as changes in the tongue, glossitis and in the mouth, stomatitis. Look at your tongue in the mirror.
Can look! Normally, the tongue is not smooth; She has papillae that are small elevations. However, in people with Vitamin B12 deficiency, the tongue can become smooth, red, intensely inflamed and painful, known as glossitis.
So, how is your tongue, smooth (depapillated), or normal, with papillae? Interestingly, there may be a progressive loss of taste, which often goes unnoticed by the patient due to the slow and gradual loss. Other symptoms include heart palpitations, possibly due to anemia, resulting in a fast or irregular heartbeat, and even infertility - the person is unable to get pregnant.
The person may have a loss of appetite, not feel hungry and also feel nauseous. You may have diarrhea or constipation and abdominal pain and malabsorption. All of this can lead to weight loss.
4th large group of symptoms- Eye symptoms (ophthalmological) Vitamin b12 can change your vision. It can cause changes in your visual field, mainly loss of peripheral vision, changes in colors or difficulty differentiating certain colors, blurred vision, double vision, eye fatigue, difficulty adjusting vision in the dark, damage to the retina and even optic neuritis, which can lead to sudden and progressive vision loss. Knowing these terrible symptoms, several of which can be irreversible, I ask you?
How can we prevent Vitamin B12 deficiency? Well, the recommended daily amount of Vitamin B12 is around 2. 4 micrograms, which is relatively easy to achieve.
Especially for those who follow a diet rich in animal products, such as meat, chicken, fish and dairy products. The intake of this vitamin tends to be sufficient. However, the presence of the vitamin in the diet does not automatically ensure its effective absorption, as I will explain shortly.
On the other hand, vegetarians and, in particular, vegans may face a greater risk of Vitamin B12 deficiency due to the absence of animal products in their diets. And in this group, it is especially important to consider other ways to ensure adequate intake of this essential vitamin. The reason is that Vitamin B12 is rare in plant-based foods.
However, an alternative is to turn to foods fortified with this vitamin. An important issue is that many of these fortified foods are ultra-processed, which is not ideal for your health. But don't worry if you follow a vegan diet – there are healthy options available, such as sourdough fortified with Vitamin B12.
For those who are strictly vegan, it is crucial to seek professional guidance. I strongly recommend consulting a nutritionist or specialized doctor to ensure that your diet includes the necessary amount of Vitamin B12. If you don't have a well-planned diet, it's likely that your Vitamin B12 reserves in your liver will become depleted after 3, 4 or even 5 years.
Vegans and vegetarians can maintain their lifestyle, but it is important to consider appropriate supplementation to avoid the signs and symptoms of b12 deficiency that I mentioned. But it's not just vegans or vegetarians who are at risk. Imagine someone who has had stomach or intestinal surgery.
This person may face difficulties absorbing Vitamin B12 due to intrinsic factor deficiency. So, this group includes people who have had bariatric surgery. But not only them, people over 60 years of age, produce less hydrochloric acid which can lead to Vitamin B12 deficiency.
Because the b12 naturally present in foods of animal origin is linked to proteins, and needs to be released to be absorbed. Stomach acids help with this. And here you may have thought of those people who take antacids regularly.
Yes, they can also affect the absorption of Vitamin B12. If you frequently use antacids, it is advisable to consult a doctor to check for Vitamin B12 deficiency. And a very frequently used medicine that can interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12 is metformin - glyphage, which is the most prescribed medicine for diabetics and pre-diabetics.
Anyone who uses metformin is always important to check their b12 levels, because diabetes itself already damages the nerves. Imagine damaging your nerves doubly - diabetes and the lack of b12. .
. It can't be done! For pregnant women, the need for Vitamin B12 is slightly higher than for non-pregnant women.
Instead of the usual 2. 4 micrograms, it is recommended to take 2. 6 to 2.
8 micrograms, mainly to support the healthy development of the baby. The healthy development of the baby's neurological system, the neural tube, depends on an adequate amount of Vitamin B12 and folic acid. Even if these mothers do not have a Vitamin B12 deficit, their reserves may be reduced, which may result in insufficient transfer of the vitamin to their children.
Patients with celiac disease, intestinal inflammation such as Crohn's disease, or those who have had intestinal surgery should also carefully monitor their Vitamin B12 levels. The question then arises: how do I know if I have a Vitamin B12 deficiency? Basically, there are two points to consider.
First, assess whether you fall into any risk group for Vitamin deficiency B12 that I mentioned. Second, see if you are having any symptoms. If so, see a doctor for a specific blood test to check your b12 levels.
And, of course, if it is low, it needs treatment. What is the treatment for b12 deficiency? We have 2 main types of b12 supplements- cyanocobalamin and methylcobalamin.
Both are effective, but have some differences. Cyanocobalamin when you supplement, your body transforms into methylcobalamin. It is cheaper and more stable.
Methylcobalamin is one of the active forms of vitamin B12. And there are some studies that suggest that methylcobalamin is more effective for neurological changes. There are people who have genetic mutations such as the MTHFR gene, which makes it very difficult to convert cyanocobalamin into methycobalamin, so the ideal option for these people is methylcobalamin.
If symptoms are severe, especially neurological, your doctor may choose to administer Vitamin B12 injections, as absorption through this route is more effective. Most of us can absorb Vitamin B12, but why do some struggle? This is due to a lack of intrinsic factor, a protein crucial for the absorption of the vitamin.
This is why for people with absorption problems (such as those with pernicious anemia or elderly people with reduced stomach acid), injectable or sublingual vitamin B12 (placed under the tongue) may be more effective, as these forms are absorbed directly. Remember if! Whatever your diet choice – meat-based, vegetarian or vegan – the key is to plan it responsibly to avoid deficiencies and associated symptoms.
A lack of b12 is serious and frequent, but it can be quickly overcome, especially if you identify it early on, where there will be no permanent damage to your body . Did you like the video? Remember to share so that more people have this knowledge.
And what will be the next video you will watch ? I will leave 3 recommendations here: Symptoms of a heart attack that few people know about Vitamins for memory How to gain muscle mass after 50 My name is André Wambier, cardiologist and this is the Cardiodf. com.
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