What happens if vitamin B is too low?

People with vitamin B12 deficiency can have neurological symptoms and/or damage without anemia (lack of red blood cells). General physical symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can include: Feeling very tired or weak. Experiencing nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

What happens if your body is low on vitamin B?

Untreated, vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to neurological problems, such as persistent tingling in the hands and feet or problems with balance. It can lead to mental confusion and forgetfulness because vitamin B-12 is necessary for healthy brain function.

How do you know if your B vitamins are low?

Signs of B12 deficiency include: A feeling of numbness or tingling in your hands and feet (or “paresthesias”) A smooth-appearing tongue. Fatigue.

What causes a low vitamin B level?

Diet. Some people can develop a vitamin B12 deficiency as a result of not getting enough vitamin B12 from their diet. A diet that includes meat, fish and dairy products usually provides enough vitamin B12, but people who do not regularly eat these foods can become deficient.

How can I raise my vitamin B levels fast?

How to raise your B12 levels fast. The most common way to treat B12 deficiencies is by adjusting your diet. If this is unsuccessful, vitamin supplements may be recommended. If you're looking to boost the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, you should eat more animal products, like meat, seafood, dairy and eggs.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms | B12 Deficiency | Vitamin B12 - All You Need to Know

What should we eat when vitamin B is low?

Best food sources of vitamin B

Meat (red meat, poultry, fish) Eggs and dairy products (milk, cheese) Legumes (beans, lentils) ​Seeds and nuts (sunflower seeds, almonds)

Which disease is caused by lack of vitamin B?

Vitamin B12 deficiencies can lead to megaloblastic anemia, a condition where the bone marrow produces large abnormally shaped red blood cells that do not function properly. Dementia, paranoia, depression, and behavioral changes can result from a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Does low vitamin B cause weight gain?

Vitamin B12 deficiency can indeed lead to weight gain. But the weight gain is not a direct result of the deficiency. Instead, vitamin B12 deficiency causes lethargy or lack of energy, and in turn, inactivity causes weight gain.

What foods should be avoided if you have B12 deficiency?

There are certain foods that also need a cut-down in case of vitamin B12 deficiency. “Some foods and drinks can interfere with vitamin B complex intake like alcohol, caffeine and processed foods, etc should be avoided completely,” Shah added.

Does low vitamin B make you tired?

If you're low or deficient in B12, you'll likely feel fatigued. Your 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 ( 8 ). Specifically, a deficiency in B12 or folate can cause megaloblastic anemia.

What does low B12 feel like?

extreme tiredness (fatigue) lack of energy (lethargy) breathlessness. feeling faint.

What depletes B12 in your body?

There are a lot of other drugs that can impair vitamin B12 status; metformin (to treat diabetes), antibiotics, methotrexate (used in chemotherapy), colchicine (used to treat gout), anti-seizure medications (i.e. phenytoin, pirimidone), and a group of cholesterol-lowering drugs (i.e. cholestyramine).

What stops the body absorbing B12?

[1] People who regularly take medications that suppress stomach acid for conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or peptic ulcer disease—such as proton-pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, or other antacids—may have difficulty absorbing vitamin B12 from food.

Does stress deplete vitamin B?

Stress is known to deplete our levels of B vitamins, especially vitamin B12. Vegetarians, vegans and those on restricted diets can struggle to get enough vitamin B12 to meet their body's needs.

Does anxiety cause low B12?

Some studies have found people experiencing anxiety have lower levels of vitamin B12, and that people with anxiety and depression at more likely to have a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Does vitamin B affect appetite?

Studies show that a B12 deficiency can sometimes result in a loss of appetite. If you take a B12 supplement to treat this deficiency, you may experience an increase in appetite, but that's really a restoration of a normal level. In general, for healthy people, taking B12 neither increases nor decreases appetite.

Which fruit is rich in vitamin B12?

Fruits like apples, bananas, blueberries and oranges are some fruits that are high in vitamin B12.

Is B12 deficiency serious?

A lack of vitamin B12 can cause neurological problems, which affect your nervous system, such as: vision problems. memory loss. pins and needles (paraesthesia)

How do I know if I can't absorb B12?

One sign that you lack enough B12 may be glossitis, or a swollen, inflamed tongue. Immune system disorders, such as Graves' disease or lupus. Been taking certain medications that interfere with the absorption of B12.

How long does it take to recover from B12 deficiency?

How Long Does It Take to Recover From Vitamin B12 Deficiency? Recovery from vitamin B12 deficiency takes time. You may not have any improvement during the first few months of treatment. Improvement may be gradual and may continue for up to six to 12 months.

What causes dangerously low B12?

The only foods that deliver it are meat, eggs, poultry, dairy products, and other foods from animals. Strict vegetarians and vegans are at high risk for developing a B₁₂ deficiency if they don't eat grains that have been fortified with the vitamin or take a vitamin supplement.

Can low B12 make you feel weird?

A lack of B12 may lead to depression, confusion, memory problems, and dementia. It also can affect your balance. B12 supplements are usually safe.

What food is highest in B12?

Vitamin B12 is a key nutrient that your body needs for many essential functions. It's found in large amounts in animal products, fortified foods, and dietary supplements. Some of the richest sources are liver, beef, sardines, clams, and dairy products.

Does vitamin B give you energy immediately?

People who are concerned about their low level of energy should be advised that unless they already suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency, there is no strong evidence to support the notion that taking large doses of vitamin B12 will increase their energy levels.

Does vitamin B deficiency affect sleep?

In particular, vitamins B6, B12, C, D, and E can improve or lower your sleep quality and duration. Vitamin C deficiency and both lack and an excess of vitamin B6 in the body might affect your sleep or cause insomnia.