INTRODUCTION Are you a person who frequently feels drained or tired even after a full night of complete sleep? There are millions of people who are experiencing this kind of tiredness or low energy without a clear cause, so you are not alone. Vitamin B12 is one of the frequent reasons why people might feel tired or exhausted, but the fact is that many individuals do not realize it or miss it at the time of diagnosis. Vitamin B12 is a major vitamin which helps to maintain your energy, to keep your nervous system healthy and to support your general well-being. In this wonderful post, we will clearly understand how a low level of vitamin B12 will result in fatigue, who all are at risk or in danger and what you can do to bring back your energy. What Is Vitamin B12 and Why Does It Have This Much Importance? Vitamin B12 is also called cobalamin, and this is actually a water soluble vitamin which is important for: Producing the red blood cells (RBCs) Keeping your nerve cells functioning accur...
INTRODUCTION
Are you a person who frequently feels drained or tired even after a full night of complete sleep? There are millions of people who are experiencing this kind of tiredness or low energy without a clear cause, so you are not alone. Vitamin B12 is one of the frequent reasons why people might feel tired or exhausted, but the fact is that many individuals do not realize it or miss it at the time of diagnosis.
Vitamin B12 is a major vitamin which helps to maintain your energy, to keep your nervous system healthy and to support your general well-being. In this wonderful post, we will clearly understand how a low level of vitamin B12 will result in fatigue, who all are at risk or in danger and what you can do to bring back your energy.
What Is Vitamin B12 and Why Does It Have This Much Importance?
Vitamin B12 is also called cobalamin, and this is actually a water soluble vitamin which is important for:
- Producing the red blood cells (RBCs)
- Keeping your nerve cells functioning accurately and efficiently
- Supporting the brain to work properly
- Assisting your body to repair and create DNA
Major Sources of Vitamin B12
Your body does not produce vitamin B12 on its own, so it is very mandatory for you to get it from food items or from B12 supplements. The food sources of vitamin B12 are:
- Meat (goat,beef, lamb, pork) and Poultry (chicken, duck, turkey)
- The eggs and dairy products, such as your favorate milk, cheese and yogurt, are rich sources of vitamin B12.
- Fish like tuna and salmon
- The fortified cereals and various plant based milks, such as almond milk, soy milk, and oat milk, are absolutely rich sources of vitamin B12.
How Does Vitamin B12 Deficiency Result in Fatigue or Tiredness?
Vitamin B12 have a role in the production or formation of your RBCs, and these RBCs are the cells which transport oxygen in all parts of your body, so you can understand that if you do not have a sufficient level of vitamin B12, then
1) The RBC production or formation will decline.
2) Only a lesser amount of oxygen will be delivered or transported to your tissues and organs.
3) And now because of the above events, you will be feeling really tired, inactive and lazy.
Not only that, the vitamin B12 holds a major role in the energy metabolism. So, if you have a deficiency, it can result in delayed nerve signals and brain fog, and this can truly worsen your feeling of tiredness.
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Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms
Other than fatigue, the vitamin B12 deficiency will also result in:
1) Pale color or yellowish color skin.
2) Loss of feeling or sensation and a prickling sensation in your hands and feet.
3) Difficulty in thinking properly and clearly.
4) Frequent changes in your mood or feeling depressed.
5) Palpitation of the heart and feeling difficulty in breathing.
6) Inflammation of the tongue.
Who Is More Likely to Have a B12 Deficiency?
- Individuals who are vegan or who only eat vegetarian foods.
- The people after 60 years of age are more vulnerable to vitamin B12 deficiency.
- The individuals suffering from certain gastrointestinal diseases like gluten intolerance, inflammation of the stomach lining or Crohn's disease are vulnerable to B12 deficiency.
- The people who take medicines like metformin or PPIs are at risk of B12 deficiency.
- The individuals who are in the post recovery stage from a bariatric surgery or any other gastrointestinal surgeries are at risk for B12 deficiency.
How Can You Diagnose Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
In case you are always feeling tired and if you are not able to give an explanation for that tiredness from your side, then you should go for a blood test and you should be checked for
1) Serum vitamin B12 level
2) MMA or Methylmalonic acid
3) Homocysteine levels
After receiving the test result, consult a doctor, and based on the test result he/she will decide if you need supplementation or not or if any further testing is required.
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Treatment Options
1) You can go for oral supplements, and these are absolutely good for mild cases.
2) Vitamin B12 injections are available, and these are usually given in the severe or absorption associated cases.
3) You can also make your diet much healthier just by consuming foods that are loaded with vitamin B12.
Different individuals take different amounts of time to get recovered from fatigue. Some people feel better just in a few days of starting the treatment, and some others might take weeks to attain their full energy.
Is Fatigue/Tiredness the Only Symptom of Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
Of course, yes. In the starting stages or at the time when the vitamin B12 deficiency is not severe, the only symptom you can experience will be the ongoing tiredness which will not go away by taking rest. That's why it is always recommended to get tested if anyone is feeling tired all the time without a proper reason, even if that person does not experience other symptoms such as numbness or brain fog.
How To Prevent Vitamin B12 Deficiency
1) Start eating a balanced diet which includes animal products high in vitamin B12.
2) If you are not ready to take animal products, meaning if you are a vegan or vegetarian, then you must eat food items that have added vitamin B12 to avoid the deficiency.
3) You should go for vitamin B12 tablets, capsules or injections if you are at increased risk of deficiency or if you have been diagnosed with low B12 levels by the healthcare provider.
4) You must go to a doctor once every year for a complete health evaluation, mainly if you are 50 years or older.
Common Health Questions
Query: Do vegetarian people need to be worried about vitamin B12 deficiency?
Solution: Actually, the vegetarian foods or vegetarian diet plans do not contain enough amounts of vitamin B12 unless they consume dairy products or eggs. So, the vegans and the people who are strictly following vegetarian diets must take fortified foods or vitamin B12 supplements on a regular basis.
Query: How much time can it take to get a recovery from vitamin B12 associated fatigue/tiredness?
Solution: You will definitely start noticing the increase in energy level within a few days to a few weeks, and this clearly depends on the level of severity and the method of treatment provided.
Query: Is vitamin B12 deficiency a problem which can be treated completely?
Solution: Of course, yes. With the help of proper supplementation and dietary alterations, most of the individuals recover completely from the vitamin B12 deficiency issue. But, in case there is long-term or chronic nerve damage from prolonged lack of B12 may not be corrected completely.
CONCLUSION
Now we can say that the vitamin B12 deficiency is actually a hidden reason behind numerous cases of chronic fatigue or tiredness. This deficiency can badly affect your blood, nerves, and energy metabolism and make you feel extremely tired even with proper rest. So, if you are experiencing any unusual tiredness, mainly without any valid reason, it is important to check your vitamin B12 levels. If you diagnose this condition early and take proper treatment, then it can bring back your energy and well-being.
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