Feeling Tired & Constantly Fatigued? Get Your Vitamin B12 Checked
ET Online|
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Feeling Robbed Of Energy? You May Lack Vitamin B12
Feeling tired and listless all the time? It may not be your mind or the PMS talking. A persistent feeling of fatigue may indicate a nutrient deficiency. For example, if you have a vitamin B12 deficiency, this can lead to a lack of energy and a general feeling of malaise.
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What Is Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
This is a phenomenon where your body fails to absorb vitamin B12.
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What Is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that preserves the nerve cells of your body and keeps the blood cells healthy. It also helps your body create DNA, the genetic material which keeps us going! Vitamin B12 is found in animal products such as meat, dairy and egg, bread, etc.
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How Much Vitamin B12 Do You Need?
As per Cleveland Clinic, adults need about 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 per day. Pregnant and breastfeeding women need more.
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Why Is Vitamin B12 So Essential?
Simply put, vitamin B12 is essential for the formation of red blood cells and preventing anaemia. It also helps in maintaining bone density and boosting eye health.
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What Causes Low Vitamin B12 Levels?
Numerous factors such as foregoing foods rich in vitamin B12, gastritis or inflammation of the stomach lining, or gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn’s or Celiac disease. Other health conditions such as pernicious anaemia, alcohol abuse, etc.
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What Are The Long-Term Effects Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to several health conditions such as dementia, persistent sense of fatigue, weight loss, irritability or depression, and memory loss. In extreme cases, it can also lead to cardiovascular diseases as low levels of vitamin B12 have a direct correlation to high levels of homocysteine which is again linked to coronary heart diseases.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
According to Cleveland Clinic, vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to physical, psychological as well as neurological problems.
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Persistent Fatigue
It’s not unusual to feel extremely tired, weak, or drained out if you have low b12 levels.
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Lack Of Appetite
If B12 levels become drastically low, you may experience little to no appetite. This may cause weight loss.
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Develop Yellow Skin
Those experiencing low levels of this nutrient may develop a yellow tinge on the skin.
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Nausea
Experiencing a perpetual feeling of nausea or vomiting is common.
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Neurological Issues
In extreme cases, the patient may develope numbness in hands or feet, poor vision, cognitive problems etc.
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How To Add More Vitamin B12 To Your Diet?
Vitamin B12 is primarily found in animal proteins such as eggs, fish, dairy, etc. Stock your fridge with sardine, salmon and tuna fish, yogurt/curd, cheese, eggs, etc. If you are vegan then opt for supplements,
