Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that the body needs to processes DNA and energy production.
Even though the vitamin is found in many foods, B12 insufficiency and deficiency are relatively common.
The reason for this comes down 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.
Everyone feels tired from time to time.
For most people, however, eating a healthy diet, combatting stress and exercising regularly will help boost energy.
Constant exhaustion and weakness, even after resting, could be a sign of an underlying health condition or imbalance.
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
