Our body needs a range of vitamins and minerals to keep it in good working condition - and you can end up feeling very unwell if it doesn't get what it needs.
One of the biggest groups of important substances our body needs is B vitamins, of which there are many different types that help us to stay healthy including vitamin B12. According to the NHS, vitamin B12 performs several important functions in the body including keeping the nervous system healthy by making red blood cells and releasing energy from food.
Vitamin B12 is found in the likes of meat, fish, eggs and dairy products, and in some cases having a restrictive or poor diet can lead to someone developing a deficiency if they are not taking in enough of the vitamin in their food. Certain medicines, including anticonvulsants and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can also affect how much vitamins your body is able to absorb.
A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to a type of anaemia, in which a lack of the vitamin causes the body to produce abnormally large red blood cells that can't function properly. Whether or not the deficiency causes the person to develop anaemia, it can cause a number of both physical and psychological problems, according to the NHS.
Symptoms of a deficiency in vitamin B12 include:
- Extreme tiredness
- Lack of energy
- Pins and needles
- Sore and red tongue
- Mouth ulcers
- Muscle weakness
- Problems with your vision
- Psychological problems, which can range from mild depression or anxiety to confusion and dementia
- Problems with memory, understanding and judgement
Vitamin B12 deficiency, along with folate or B9 deficiency, is more common in older people - around one in 10 people aged 75 or over are affected, and one in 20 in those aged 65 to 74. Most cases of deficiency can be easily treated with injections or tablets to boost the vitamins.
Anyone who thinks they may have a vitamin B12 or folate deficiency should see their GP, as it's important for the condition to be treated and diagnosed as soon as possible because it can lead to serious complications if left untreated for a long time. It can often be diagnosed based on symptoms and the results of a blood test.
The Department of Health and Social Care advises: "You should be able to get all the vitamin B12 you need by eating a varied and balanced diet. If you take vitamin B12 supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful. Taking 2mg or less a day of vitamin B12 in supplements is unlikely to cause any harm."
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