We are all familiar with the common health scares – stroke, heart disease, diabetes, etc. However, there is one health condition that is just as dangerous, just as prevalent, yet severely underdiagnosed.
You are probably suffering from a vitamin deficiency and you don’t even know it.
Just as there are a vast number of essential nutrients, there is an equally abundant amount of deficiencies that plague the population. However, a vitamin B12 deficiency is the most prevalent shortcoming – and possibly the most dangerous.
What Are the Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
Those who are deficient in this nutrient can show a number of different symptoms. For instance you might notice that you have a lack of energy. You may feel tired, light-headed or even weak. This is because vitamin B12 helps your body to produce energy and regulate sleep patterns.
You can have issues with your skin as well. You may notice that you are looking particularly pale or that you bruise or bleed easily. Bleeding around the gums is often an indication of a lack of vitamin B12. In some cases, people even notice a sore tongue.
A vitamin B12 deficiency can also affect your digestive system. You could suffer from constipation or diarrhea, or perhaps you notice an upset stomach or fluctuating weight.
As the deficiency progresses, more serious symptoms start to occur. A lack of balance, forgetfulness, severe depression, dementia, and mania are just a few of the ways your brain starts to show the strain. Unfortunately, these side effects are often irreversible if left untreated.
If you notice any of these symptoms, go see a doctor.
What Causes Vitamin B12 Deficiency
There are several different causes for a lack of vitamin B12. In some cases, it can be as simple as your diet. For instance, vegans often have a hard time getting enough of this nutrient because it is most easily obtained from meat and dairy products.
In other cases, medication or alcohol could be at fault. Acid-reducing medications and alcohol both impair the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12 from the foods we eat.
A disease may also be the problem too. Atrophic gastritis thins the stomach lining, making it more difficult to obtain vitamin B12. Pernicious anemia also makes it difficult to get enough of this nutrient. Even diseases such as Grave’s disease and lupus are associated with vitamin B12 deficiencies. Sometimes, a corrective surgery that removes part of the stomach or small intestine is the culprit.
The Best Method of Supplementation
If you suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency, it’s undoubtedly had a major impact on your life. Luckily, you don’t have to live like this forever. There is a way to raise your vitamin B12 levels without altering your diet.
Vitamin supplementation is a concept we’re all familiar with. From The Flintstones vitamins many of us took as a child, to the more “adult” capsules some of us take with breakfast, vitamin supplements are all around us.
Unfortunately, these oral supplements aren’t very effective. Our bodies don’t absorb nutrients in this form very well, and we end up excreting most of the vitamins. It’s quite a waste.
The good news is that there is an alternative. For those who suffer from vitamin B12 deficiencies, you can use injections. In this form of supplementation, nearly 100% of the vitamin is absorbed by the body.
It May Be Time to Consider Injections
If you suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency, you may need supplementation to remedy the issue. Since oral supplementation is often not very effective, you should seriously consider vitamin B12 injections.
Talk to your doctor about the best supplementation method for your condition. Treating a vitamin B12 deficiency will have a significant impact on your overall health. Getting the treatment you need as soon as possible will help prevent irreversible damage and provide you with the healthy, happy life you deserve!