Vitamin B12 deficiency: Five areas on your body that can show signs

01 /12 Why it's important to detect vitamin B12 deficiency on time Vitamin B12 deficiency has become a common health issue in India and ...

01/12Why it's important to detect vitamin B12 deficiency on time

Vitamin B12 deficiency has become a common health issue in India and around the globe. Reports suggest at least 47% of the Indian population suffers from low B12 levels in the body and only 26% of the population may be vitamin B12 sufficient.

The staggering data not only indicates the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in the Indian population, but also urges people to be more aware about this deficiency that can cause 'irreversible' damage in the long run. Besides being responsible for creating red blood cells and DNA in the body, it also helps strengthen the brain and nerve cells.

What is vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 helps your body keep your nerve cells and blood cells healthy. It also helps your body make DNA. Your body does not make vitamin B12 on its own, so you have to consume it through food and drinks. Vitamin B12 is found in animal products such as meat, dairy and eggs. It can also be found in fortified foods such as certain cereals, bread and nutritional yeast.

03/12Warning signs to note

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause several health issues ranging from skin problems, poor eye health and neurological issues. Therefore, it is important to keep a tab of all the symptoms that can indicate the illness. The UK's National Health Services (NHS) lists down certain symptoms associated with this nutrient deficiency.

- A pale yellow tinge to your skin.

- A sore and red tongue (glossitis)

- A mouth ulcers

- Changes in the way that you walk and move around.

Body parts that can signal low levels of vitamin B12

The NHS has warned against symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency that may arise in four parts of the body, which are hands, arms, legs, or feet.

According to the health body, people deficient in this vitamin may experience a “strange” sensation in these four areas of the body.

The term used to define it is called 'paraesthesia' or pins and needles.

05/12Pins and needles can be a telling sign

Paresthesia or pins and needles feels like a burning or prickling sensation that usually occurs in the hands, arms, legs, or feet, but can also occur in other parts of the body.

These are usually painless and arise suddenly, without a warning.

“It happens when the blood supply to the nerves is cut off,” the NHS explains. This is usually when you sit or sleep on part of your body," the health body adds.

This sensation usually lasts for a few minutes and stops when you lift the weight off of the affected body part. It is because it allows the blood flow to resume.