The body needs vitamin B12 for two main reasons: to make red blood cells and to release energy from food. When someone lacks B12, they develop a deficiency. As with other medical conditions, this can cause various symptoms to arise. These symptoms can appear in a variety of places in the body and cause a number of sensations.
According to a report by the BMJ (British Medical Journal) the symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency can appear in the nails.
In one report they write: “Vitamin B12 deficiency nail changes present as hyperpigmentation of the nails as bluish discoloration, blue-black pigmentation with longitudinal dark streaks, and longitudinal and reticulated dark streaks.”
They add: “Nail pigmentation associated with B12 deficiency is more common in dark-skinned patients.
“Complications of a vitamin B12 deficiency can be prevented if the condition is recognized early and treatment is initiated.”
READ MORE: Gloria Hunniford’s health: The ‘horror’ food that caused prediabetes
As with most medical problems, the sooner a vitamin B12 deficiency is treated, the lower the potential for complications.
Complications that may occur are:
• Heart failure
• Eye sight problems
• Memory loss
• Tingling
• Loss of physical coordination
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Infertility
• Stomach cancer
• Neural tube defects.
If any of the neurological problems do develop, the NHS says some of them could be “irreversible”.
DO NOT MISS IT
However, if treated quickly and effectively, the damage can be limited.
As a result, knowing the symptoms is essential.
General symptoms include jaundice, red and sore tongue, tingling, impaired vision, irritability, depression.
It is important to note that these feelings and sensations can also be symptoms of other conditions; so it is important to consult with a GP before reaching any conclusions.
The solution to a vitamin B12 deficiency is twofold: inject it directly into the body and increase levels through the diet.
These injections are traditionally regular at first, before becoming less regular as treatment continues.
Meanwhile, good food sources of vitamin B12 include meat, salmon, cod, milk, and eggs.
Vegan or vegetarian patients are advised to look for other foods that contain vitamin B12 such as marmite and some breakfast cereals.
if(typeof utag_data.ads.fb_pixel!==”undefined”&&utag_data.ads.fb_pixel==!0){!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version=’2.0′;n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,’script’,’https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js’);fbq(‘init’,’568781449942811′);fbq(‘track’,’PageView’)}
