After chatting with a client about his issues with memory, word-finding and pains in his arms and legs which didn’t fit a clear clinical pattern, it struck me that we ought to talk about possible vitamin and mineral deficiencies given other possible causes that had been investigated and ruled out. We look at people with wide lenses at Plus Health Co.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are not always considered the main cause of physical/mental health symptoms but they deserve our attention. Ultimately, if they weren’t important, we wouldn’t have them!
Vitamin B12 helps to keep our brain, blood and the genetic material in all our cells (DNA) healthy.
Symptoms that may indicate B12 deficiency can also include extreme tiredness, lack of energy and visual disturbance too. Some studies have even linked low vitamin B12 to depression as well. The gentleman I saw in the clinic presented with all of these symptoms, but he also reported regularly interrupted sleep which may also be a contributing factor.
Whilst it’s more common in the older population, it is possible younger people may have a B12 deficiency too particularly if they follow a vegan/vegetarian diet without taking supplements. People who have gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohns Disease and those who have had gastrointestinal surgery may also be predisposed to being vitamin B12 deficient. Either way, the sooner it’s diagnosed and treated, the better but it's important to note that it can take several years for a deficiency to appear so have it on your radar. Knowledge is power people!
A simple blood test organised through your GP can confirm whether you are B12 deficient or not. Typically, an injection may be offered to boost your body’s level of vitamin B12 and then it’s likely this will continue for life. Your body may lack something called ‘intrinsic factor’ (related to pernicious anaemia) which prevents your body from being able to absorb vitamin B12 from your stomach, no matter how good your diet is so the injection puts that right by putting it directly into your muscle. Alternatively, supplements via tablet form may be offered. Unlike over-supplementation of vitamin D, evidence suggests that vitamin B12 has very low toxicity, even at very high doses, so it is considered safe.
If you’d like to know more, check out the links below:
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-Consumer/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b12-or-folate-deficiency-anaemia/
