jointsguruVitamin B 12 is most important part of B complex vitamins. It is very useful vitamin for nervous system. Due to our life style and increased use of pesticides and antibiotics most of us have deficiency of B12 in our body. In my out patient department I have seen Vitamin B 12 deficiency very commonly.
Vitamin B 12 function as most important vitamin for neural health. If it is deficient then chances of tingling and numbness in your body is very common. You feel weakness and tired ness all the time. When you sit in same position for long time then you can feel needle like sensation in your hand and feet. You may feel depressed and low of energy too. As this vitamin also play an important role in blood cells functions and deficiency of this can cause Anemia too.
Why it is getting very common to have B 12 deficiency. It is formed by intestinal bacteria but if we take antibiotics there is chances of killing all these helpful bacteria. In that case our body is not able to produce vitamin B12. Vegetable food is also has very low B 12 and so communities with predominantly vegan diet has low B12.
It is very difficult to diagnose B12 deficiency as symptoms are non specific and You may just confuse them with depression and disinterest. Diabetic and Thyroid patients are more prone to have B 12 deficiency in their body. Every one should get their B 12 level check at least 6 monthly.
One of the very common symptom of B 12 deficiency is muscle pain and Rest less leg syndrome. In this patient feel severe pain in night time in both legs and feel like some one should press or massage their legs.
What diet you should take to get optimum level of B12. Egg and dairy products are rich source of B12. Avoid taking unnecessary antibiotics. You may have noticed their your dr always give B complex with Antibiotics just to make sure you do not develop diarrhoea.
12 food items with rich source of B 12 for vegetarians .
- Nutritional Yeast.
- Marmite + Yeast Spreads.
- Fortified Soy + Almond Milk.
- Plant-Based Meats and mushrooms
- Fortified Cereals.
- Tempeh.
- Chlorella.
- Nori Seaweed
- Paneer and cheese
When should you take B 12 supplements
B 12 is given by your dr when you have B 12 deficiency symptoms because food is not enough source in such cases. B 12 is water soluble vitamin so excess B 12 is not a problem. It can be excreted in urine. Every one can take B 12 tablets if they are having B 12 deficiency symptoms. Your doctor may advise you to take B 12 injections as well. It is more needful if you are having Anemia or low Thyroid or Diabetes.
