Vitamin B12 is a vital nutrient that the body needs to form red blood cells and DNA.
It also plays a key role in the function and development of brain and nerve cells.
While the vitamin is found in many foods, such as meat, shellfish, and dairy products - B12 insufficiency and deficiency are relatively common.
The can be due to limited intake, malabsorption, certain medical conditions or certain medications.
As we age, our ability to absorb B12 from food also declines, hence why a vitamin B12 deficiency is common among the elderly.
Research has also found vegans who follow the strictest vegetarian diet and shun all animal products, including milk and eggs, have a 92% chance of a vitamin B12 deficiency, the Mirror reports.
Everyone feels tired from time to time.
Being low or deficiency in B12 will cause a person to feel tired no matter how much sleep they get.
This occurs because the body’s cells need B12 to function properly.
As such, having inadequate B12 levels can decrease normal red blood cell production, which can impair oxygen delivery.
Megaloblastic anaemia is commonplace among B12 deficiency sufferers ,which is a condition that can lead to the formation of large, abnormal and immature red blood cells and impaired DNA synthesis.
The result? Sleepy heads all around.
“Constant exhaustion can be a sign that something is wrong,” says Renue Pharmacy.
The health site added: “Some types of anaemia also lead to fatigue and weakness.
“In this way, B12 and anaemia go hand-in-hand.
“Proper B12 supplementation can prevent anaemia and certain types of anaemia can lead to B12 deficiency.”
This is why it's important to request blood work from a healthcare provider to get to the root cause of your fatigue.
Other signs of a B12 deficiency
- A pale-yellow tinge to the skin
- A sore and red tongue
- Mouth ulcers
- Pins and needles
- Changes in the way that you walk and move around
- Disturbed vision
- Irritability
- Depression
When to see a GP
According to the NHS, you should see a GP if you think you may have a vitamin B12 deficiency.
These conditions can often be diagnosed based on your symptoms and the results of a blood test.
It's important for vitamin B12 deficiency to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
This is because although many of the symptoms improve with treatment, some problems caused by the condition can be irreversible.
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