What Vitamin Deficiency Causes You To Feel Cold?

Lack of vitamin B12 and iron deficiency can cause anemia and lead you to feel cold. Good sources of B12 are chicken, eggs and fish, and people with iron deficiency may want to seek out poultry, pork, fish, peas, soybeans, chickpeas and dark green leafy vegetables.

Can lack of B12 make you feel cold?

Signs You’re Low on Vitamin B12 Medically Reviewed by on April 13, 2022 Do your hands, feet, or legs feel like they’re on “pins and needles”? Shortage of B12 can damage the protective sheath that covers your nerves. Diseases like celiac, Crohn’s, or other gut illnesses may make it harder for your body to absorb the vitamin. A lack of B12 may lead to depression, confusion, memory problems, and dementia. It also can affect your balance. B12 supplements are usually safe. For adults, doctors recommend 2.4 micrograms a day. If you take more than what you need, your body passes the rest out through your pee. Still, high doses could have some side effects, like dizziness, headache, anxiety, nausea, and vomiting. Your muscles may lack strength. You also might feel tired or lightheaded. Your doctor can check how much B12 is in your body, but not all of it may be useable. So it’s important to pay attention to any symptoms – which can grow slowly or pop up more quickly – and to alert your doctor. Your doctor might call it atrophic glossitis. Tiny bumps on your tongue called papillae start to waste away. That makes it look and feel kind of smooth and glossy. Infections, medication, and other conditions can cause it, too. But if not enough B12 or other nutrients is to blame, your tongue also may be sore. B12 deficiency is rare because your body can store several years’ supply of the stuff. But plants don’t have any B12. So vegans and vegetarians who don’t eat any animal products should add some processed grains like fortified breads, crackers, and cereals. This is when your heart suddenly races or skips a beat. You might feel it in your throat or neck. You can get more vitamin B12 from chicken, eggs, and fish. But one of best sources by far is something that may not be a regular on your menu: beef liver. As you get older, your body may not absorb B12 as easily. If you don’t treat it, low levels of B12 could lead to anemia, nerve damage, moodiness, and other serious problems. So watch for any symptoms, and get a blood test if your doctor recommends it. One of the more common weight loss operations is called “gastric bypass.” After the surgery, food bypasses parts of your stomach and small intestine. That’s usually where B12 breaks down into usable form. Your doctor likely will monitor your B12 levels and suggest supplements or shots if you need them. You may get these ulcers on your gums or tongue. They could be a sign of low B12, anemia, or another condition. The sores usually clear up on their own, but it helps to avoid ingredients that might be irritating or painful, like vinegar, citrus, and hot spices like chili powder. Some over-the-counter medicines could soothe your pain. Some drugs drop your B12 levels or make it harder for your body to use the vitamin. They include:

Chloramphenicol, an antibiotic used to treat infectionProton pump inhibitors like lansoprazole (Prevacid) and omeprazole (Prilosec)Peptic ulcer meds like cimetidine (Tagamet) and famotidine (Pepcid)Metformin for diabetes.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all drugs and supplements you take. You might lose your appetite, drop too much weight, or have trouble pooping (constipation). If your B12 levels are low, your doctor will often inject it into a muscle to be sure your body absorbs it.

Sometimes, high doses of pills work just as well. But remember that symptoms of B12 deficiency can be similar to signs of many other illnesses. Talk to your doctor about B12 supplements, both during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Infants who don’t get enough could have serious and permanent damage to their nerves or brain cells.

Your baby might need supplements, too. : Signs You’re Low on Vitamin B12

What vitamins am I lacking if I keep getting a cold?

Abstract – Maintaining a normal healthy immune defense system lowers the incidence and/or the severity of symptoms and/or the duration of common cold (CC). Physical barriers and innate and adaptive immunity have been involved during a CC episode. Vitamins C and D, zinc, and Echinacea have evidence-based efficacy on these immune system barriers.

This review includes 82 eligible studies to consider the preventive role of these nutrients in immune clusters and in CC to provide advice on dosage and assumption of these nutrients. Regarding vitamin C, regular supplementation (1 to 2 g/day) has shown that vitamin C reduces the duration (in adults by 8%, in children by 14%) and the severity of CC.

Considering zinc, the supplementation may shorten the duration of colds by approximately 33%. CC patients may be instructed to try zinc within 24 hours of onset of symptoms. As for vitamin D, the supplementation protected against CC overall, considering baseline levels and age.

What is feeling cold a symptom of?

Some people naturally tend to feel colder than others without any discernible cause. However, cold intolerance can also indicate an underlying medical condition, such as hypothyroidism, anemia, or peripheral artery disease. Dysfunction of the thyroid gland, arterial blood flow, and low body fat can all cause a person to feel cold.

What deficiency makes you tired and cold?

Understanding anemia – Feeling cold all the time is a common symptom of anemia or low iron. Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia and is typically due to low absorption. In other cases, someone might experience vitamin-deficiency anemia caused by low vitamin B12 and folic acid levels.

How do I know if my body is lacking B12?

Neurological changes – A lack of vitamin B12 can cause neurological problems (issues affecting your nervous system), such as:

vision problems memory loss pins and needles (paraesthesia) loss of physical coordination (ataxia), which can affect your whole body and cause difficulty speaking or walking damage to parts of the nervous system ( peripheral neuropathy ), particularly in the legs

If neurological problems do develop, they may be irreversible.

What is the fastest way to fix B12 deficiency?

How to raise your B12 levels fast. The most common way to treat B12 deficiencies is by adjusting your diet. If this is unsuccessful, vitamin supplements may be recommended. If you’re looking to boost the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, you should eat more animal products, like meat, seafood, dairy and eggs.

Can low vitamin D make you cold?

A Vitamin D deficiency can have many negative consequences on your health. – Good health comes with a well-balanced diet that provides the right amount of nutrition: vitamins, essential fats, energy, protein, and minerals. A lack of any of these nutrients can have a negative impact on the quality of life.

1. These nutrients regulate how our body grows and functions.
2. When it comes to nutrients that build your body, vitamin D is one of the most important ones.
3. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium to promote bone growth.
4. Lack of v D can impact your overall health.
5. A level lesser than 20 ng/ml of v D indicates a deficiency.

v D deficiency is not as prominent. However, there are a few signs and symptoms exhibited by v D deficient people. Your immune system protects you from bacteria and viruses that can cause illness. V D interacts with the cells that build the immune system. Fatigue can pretty much affect every aspect of your life. Some studies show a connection between vitamin D deficiency and fatigue in women. Vitamin D boosts energy levels and keeps you active for a long time. Therefore, if you find yourself experiencing exhaustion in the middle of the day, you might be suffering from v D deficiency. Another sign that indicates low blood levels of vitamin D is poor bone health. The right amount of vitamin D in your diet helps the body build and maintain bone health. Calcium and vitamin deficiency can increase bone damage and cause back pain. Weak bone health increases the risk of fractures and other injuries. Hair breakage and loss are commonly attributed to stress. However, other factors can also damage your hair. A deficiency in v D can cause severe hair fall. Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by severe hair loss. There is not much data to support this, but there may be a connection between alopecia and v D deficiency.

Can low vitamin D cause chills?

Can low vitamin D cause you to feel cold? – Vitamin D is an important vitamin that your body absorbs from the sun, food, and supplements. While some people may suspect that low vitamin D levels may cause them to feel cold, research indicates that vitamin D may play only an indirect role in thermoregulation.

1. Instead, vitamin D deficiencies typically result in rickets and other bone deficiencies.
2. While these conditions can lead to feelings of coldness, they don’t seem to play as direct a role in thermoregulation as the B vitamins.
3. That said, consuming the right amount of vitamin D is still important for bone, muscle, and immune health.

To ensure you’re receiving enough or supplementing a vitamin D deficiency, consider taking a vitamin D supplement.

Does low estrogen make you cold?

Blame hormones, evolution – Estrogen can lower women’s body temperature, cause heat to dissipate and slow blood flow to the hands and feet, making them more sensitive to cold. And depending on the phase of your menstrual cycle and varying hormone levels, research, like this Polish study, shows the female body can change how it regulates heat.

To read more about women’s basal metabolic rates and menstruation, check out this Skeptical Inquirer story by Ada McVean. Evolution may also play a role in how we handle heat. We evolved in much warmer climates, like the savannah, where it was important to stay cool. A more temperate climate may have meant there was less of a need to warm up.

Men were far more active as they went off hunting and gathering, while women led more sedentary lives, tending to the children and the home. Being bigger, more active and having more muscle all meant men had more need to evolve ways of not overheating – the most common one being sweating.

How do I stop feeling cold?

Ways to Warm Up if You’re Always Cold Medically Reviewed by on November 30, 2022 Few things may take the chill off more quickly than putting on clothes straight from a toasty tumble. Run them through a short spin just before you get dressed. Your body is usually warmest in the morning, so it’s a good idea to try and hang on to the heat. It won’t last forever, but it will give you a cozy start to the day. Your body needs fuel to burn to keep your core body temperature up, especially when it’s cold outside. Shoot for at least one hot meal a day, and try to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other unprocessed foods. It may look funny, but it’s better than blue toes! Not only will it help heat your whole body, but warm feet also seem to signal your brain that it’s time to go to sleep. If you just can’t get with this bedtime fashion, walk around in cozy slippers for about an hour before you hit the sack. Sleep in soft, flexible fabrics. Flannel will keep you cozy, but it still breathes so that you won’t get too hot, or damp from sweat. Silk could be warm, too, but it might not breathe as well. If you’re really cold, long underwear and even a hat, or “nightcap,” can help. Without enough of both, you can get anemia, which means you have too few red blood cells to take oxygen around your body. That could make you feel chilly. Some people don’t get enough B12 from food or don’t absorb it easily. Pregnant women sometimes have lower levels of iron, because their bodies use more than usual. A few lighter layers warm you better than a single heavy one. Start with something thin, like thermal underwear that wicks away moisture. Add insulation like a down jacket or wool sweater in the middle. Use a windbreaker as an outer shell. Three layers seem to be a sweet spot, but you can adjust. Just add another layer if you’re still cold and take one off when you’re hot. An electric blanket wastes half its heat to the ceiling. It also can bunch up. But a heated mattress pad fits snugly like a sheet. Because it doesn’t move as much, it likely won’t wear out as quickly or easily as a blanket. Do you notice a little sweat on your brow when you eat those extra jalapenos at your favorite taco joint? That’s because spicy food literally warms up your body. Nothing wrong with that, unless you have stomach problems like ulcers. In fact, a spicy diet can be good for you. Just don’t overdo it, especially if you notice that you don’t feel well afterward. They can help warm smaller areas. Pick a UL-approved unit that fits your space and purpose. A “convection” type with a fan might be best to heat a whole room. A “radiant” model is better to heat a specific spot. Put it on a level surface away from moving people. Go for a walk or a jog. If it’s too cold outside, hit the gym, or just do some jumping jacks, pushups, or other exercises indoors. Not only will it warm you up, it helps build and keep your muscles, which also burn calories and make body heat. If you’re healthy enough for it, vigorous exercise might even raise your core body temperature, at least for a while.

Give yourself about 2 weeks to adjust to a new place that’s much colder than you’re used to. This may be harder as you get older or if you have very little body fat. Some medications, like those for allergies or asthma, can also get in the way. People who spend lots of time outside often find it easier to get used to sudden changes in temperature.

Just because your footwear is insulated doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll keep you warm. Boots that aren’t well sealed from moisture can turn into ice blocks. Look for a high IPX rating. IPX-8 is the highest. It means you could dunk the whole boot in water and your foot would stay dry.

And be sure to buy them big enough to fit in some thick wool socks. Tell your doctor if you’re more sensitive to the cold than in the past. It could be a symptom of a problem with your nutrition, red blood cells (anemia), blood vessels, thyroid gland, or the brain’s thermostat. Try to note how often it happens, how long it lasts, and if it’s getting worse.

Your doctor might do some tests to narrow down the cause.

• IMAGES PROVIDED BY:
• 1) monkeybusinessimages / Thinkstock
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• 5) (Clockwise from top left) Magone / Thinkstock, denizya / Thinkstock, NSphotostudio / Thinkstock, LUNAMARINA / Thinkstock, photosoup / Thinkstock
• 6) wikiHow
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• 11) KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Thinkstock
• 12) Yarygin / Thinkstock
• 13) Jose Luis Pelaez Inc. / Getty Images
• AARP: “8 Ways to Stay Warm This Winter,” “5 Reasons You’re Always Cold.”
• Aging : “Long-term calorie restriction, but not endurance exercise, lowers core body temperature in humans.”
• American Society of Hematology: “Anemia.”
• BMJ : “Consumption of spicy foods and total and cause specific mortality: population based cohort study.”

U.S. Department of Energy: “Portable Heaters.” HeyHashi.org: “Cold Intolerance, Hashimoto’s & What to Do About It.” International Journal of Sports Medicine : “Temperature regulation during exercise.” LifeRaftGroup.org: “Cold Intolerance Coping Strategies.” MarieCurie.org: “16 things you should be doing to keep warm and well in cold weather.”

1. National Sleep Foundation: “Pick the right pajamas to get your best night’s sleep,” “Warm feet may help you sleep.”
2. Physiology and Behavior : “The effects of hedonically acceptable red pepper doses on thermogenesis and appetite.”
3. University of Iowa Health Care: “Acclimatization- adjusting to the temperature.”
4. World Journal of Gastroenterology : “Consumption of spicy foods and the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome.”

: Ways to Warm Up if You’re Always Cold

Why do I feel cold but not sick?

1. Exposure to cold – You may experience chills because you are in a very cold place, such as the ocean or a pool, or outside on a chilly day. You can also get chills if your clothing becomes damp or wet. You can get chills indoors, too, if the air-conditioning is set too cold or the heat isn’t hot enough.

As the human body ages, it has a more difficult time regulating body temperatureTrusted Source, even in healthy older adults. Medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease can make the problem worse. These types of chills should dissipate as soon as your body warms up. However, if you experience continual shaking when you have been exposed to intense cold, you may have developed complications such as hypothermia or frostbite, which are both potentially serious.

Other symptoms of these conditions can include:

numbnesschanges in skin colorslurred speechextreme drowsinessstinging or burning sensation, particularly in the fingers, toes, ears, or noseblisters

Seek immediate medical help if you suspect hypothermia or frostbite.

What happens if your vitamin B12 is low?

Key points about vitamin B12 deficiency anemia –

With this condition, your body does not have enough healthy red blood cells, due to a lack (deficiency) of vitamin B It is one of several types of megaloblastic anemia. Without enough red blood cells, your tissues and organs don’t get enough oxygen. Without enough oxygen, your body can’t work as well. Symptoms include weak muscles, numbness, trouble walking, nausea, weight loss, irritability, fatigue, and increased heart rate. Treatment may include vitamin B 12 supplements. It is also important to eat a well-balanced diet.

What food is highest in B12?

Sources of Vitamin B12 – Food Vitamin B12 is naturally present in foods of animal origin, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products, In addition, fortified breakfast cereals and fortified nutritional yeasts are readily available sources of vitamin B12 that have high bioavailability,

1. The average vitamin B12 level in the breast milk of women with vitamin B12 intakes above the RDA is 0.44 mcg/L, The U.S.
2. Food and Drug Administration specifies that infant formulas sold in the United States must provide at least 0.15 mcg vitamin B12 per 100 kcal,
3. The estimated bioavailability of vitamin B12 from food varies by vitamin B12 dose because absorption decreases drastically when the capacity of intrinsic factor is exceeded (at 1–2 mcg of vitamin B12),

Bioavailability also varies by type of food source. For example, the bioavailability of vitamin B12 appears to be about three times higher in dairy products than in meat, fish, and poultry, and the bioavailability of vitamin B12 from dietary supplements is about 50% higher than that from food sources,

Table 2: Vitamin B12 Content of Selected Foods

Food	Micrograms per serving	Percent DV*
Beef liver, cooked, pan-fried, 3 ounces	70.7	2,944
Clams (without shells), cooked, 3 ounces	17	708
Nutritional yeast, fortified, from several brands (check label), about ¼ cup	8.3 to 24	346 to 1,000
Salmon, Atlantic, cooked, 3 ounces	2.6	108
Tuna, light, canned in water, 3 ounces	2.5	104
Beef, ground, 85% lean meat/15% fat, pan-browned, 3 ounces	2.4	100
Milk, 2% milkfat, 1 cup	1.3	54
Yogurt, plain, fat free, 6-ounce container	1.0	43
Breakfast cereals, fortified with 25% of the DV for vitamin B12, 1 serving	0.6	25
Cheese, cheddar, 1½ ounces	0.5	19
Egg, whole, cooked, 1 large	0.5	19
Turkey, breast meat, roasted, 3 ounces	0.3	14
Tempeh, 1/2 cup	0.1	3
Banana, 1 medium	0.0
Bread, whole-wheat, 1 slice	0.0
Strawberries, raw, halved, 1/2 cup	0.0
Beans, kidney, boiled, 1/2 cup	0.0
Spinach, boiled, drained, 1/2 cup	0.0

DV = Daily Value. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) developed DVs to help consumers compare the nutrient contents of foods and dietary supplements within the context of a total diet. The DV for vitamin B12 is 2.4 mcg for adults and children aged 4 years and older, lists the nutrient content of many foods and provides a comprehensive list of foods containing vitamin B12 arranged by nutrient content and by food name. Dietary supplements Vitamin B12 is available in multivitamin/mineral supplements, in supplements containing other B-complex vitamins, and in supplements containing only vitamin B12.

Multivitamin/mineral supplements typically contain vitamin B12 at doses ranging from 5 to 25 mcg, Vitamin B12 levels are higher, generally 50–500 mcg, in supplements containing vitamin B12 with other B-complex vitamins and even higher, typically 500–1,000 mcg, in supplements containing only vitamin B12.

The most common form of vitamin B12 in dietary supplements is cyanocobalamin, Other forms of vitamin B12 in supplements are adenosylcobalamin, methylcobalamin, and hydroxycobalamin, No evidence indicates that absorption rates of vitamin B12 in supplements vary by form of the vitamin.

These rates are about 50% at doses (less than 1–2 mcg) that do not exceed the cobalamin-binding capacity of intrinsic factor and are substantially lower at doses well above 1–2 mcg, For example, absorption is only about 2% at doses of 500 mcg and 1.3% at doses of 1,000 mcg, In addition to oral dietary supplements, vitamin B12 is available in sublingual preparations as tablets or lozenges,

Evidence suggests no difference in efficacy between oral and sublingual forms, Prescription medications Vitamin B12, in the forms of cyanocobalamin and hydroxycobalamin, can be administered parenterally as a prescription medication, usually by intramuscular injection,

1. Parenteral administration is typically used to treat vitamin B12 deficiency caused by pernicious anemia as well as other conditions (e.g., tropical sprue, pancreatic insufficiency) that result in vitamin B12 malabsorption and severe vitamin B12 deficiency,
2. Vitamin B12 is also available as a prescription nasal gel spray.

This formulation appears to be effective in raising vitamin B12 blood levels in adults and children, A small clinical study with 10 participants (mean age 81 years) found that the bioavailability of a 1,000 mcg cobalamin dose was 2% with intranasal administration, which is similar to the bioavailability of an oral dose,

What are the 4 stages of B12 deficiency?

– Clinical manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency can be broken down into neuropsychiatric, hematologic, gastrointestinal (GI), and cutaneous categories. It is a slow process, which takes years to develop and occurs in 4 stages. Stage 1 is decreased levels of vitamin B12 in the blood.

Stage 2 is low concentration of vitamin B12 in the cell and metabolic abnormalities. Stage 3 is increased levels of homocysteine and MMA and decreased DNA synthesis resulting in neuropsychiatric symptoms. Stage 4 is macrocytic anemia. Neuropsychiatric manifestations are mostly due to posterior and lateral column demyelination and include symmetric peripheral neuropathy (legs greater than arms), weakness, gait instability, irritability, depression, and generalized cognitive impairment.

Hematologic manifestations include macrocytic, megaloblastic anemia, which can cause pallor, tachycardia, weakness, fatigue, and palpitations. Bleeding diathesis (thrombocytopenia) and opportunistic infections (neutropenia) can be present in more severe cases.

How soon after taking B12 will I feel better?

8. Common questions about cyanocobalamin – How does cyanocobalamin work? Cyanocobalamin is a manufactured version of vitamin B12. It works by increasing levels of vitamin B12 in your blood. You need vitamin B12 to stay healthy. It’s used to make red blood cells and keep your nervous system healthy.

Having enough vitamin B12 allows your body to make red blood cells that work properly to carry oxygen around your body. If you have been diagnosed with low vitamin B12 levels, taking cyanocobalamin helps reduce symptoms such as tiredness and lack of energy or being short of breath. Vitamin B12 supplements will only improve symptoms such as tiredness and lack of energy if they are caused by low vitamin B12 levels.

How long does it take to work? It may take a few weeks before your vitamin B12 levels and symptoms (such as extreme tiredness or lack of energy) start to improve. If you have hydroxocobalamin injections to boost your vitamin B12 levels at the start of treatment, the cyanocobalamin tablets may start to work within a few days.

How long will I take it for? Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you how long you need to take cyanocobalamin tablets. You may be able to stop taking cyanocobalamin when your vitamin B12 blood levels are back to normal. However, you may need to take it for the rest of your life if your diet does not have enough vitamin B12 or you cannot absorb enough vitamin B12 from your food.

What’s the best vitamin B12 supplement for me? Vitamin B12 supplements containing cyanocobalamin can be bought as tablets (including chewable, slow-release, and tablets that dissolve under your tongue), capsules, mouth sprays, and drops. There is no noticeable difference in the amount of vitamin B12 that your body can absorb or use from the different types, so no supplement is more effective than the others.

If you have had stomach or bowel problems or surgery you will not absorb enough vitamin B12 from food or low-dose supplements (10 to 100 micrograms). You will need hydroxocobalamin injections – or high-dose cyanocobalamin tablets (1,000 micrograms) if you cannot have injections. What will happen if I stop taking cyanocobalamin? If you stop taking prescribed cyanocobalamin tablets, your vitamin B12 levels may start to go down.

If your levels get too low you may start to get symptoms such as tiredness again. This may take days, weeks or months to happen because it depends on:

what your vitamin B12 levels arehow long you have been taking cyanocobalaminhow much vitamin B12 you get from your diet

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you want to stop taking cyanocobalamin or are bothered by side effects. Can I drink alcohol with it? Yes, you can drink alcohol with cyanocobalamin. Alcohol does not affect how this medicine works. However, drinking too much alcohol on a regular basis can cause folate deficiency anaemia,

This is a lack of vitamin B9 (folic acid) and will lead to symptoms such as tiredness coming back. Is there any food or drink I need to avoid? You can eat and drink as normal while taking cyanocobalamin. However, it’s best to take cyanocobalamin on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before meals or 2 hours after eating.

Will it affect my contraception? Cyanocobalamin will not stop any contraception working, including the combined pill and emergency contraception, However, oral contraceptives can reduce the amount of vitamin B12 you absorb from your cyanocobalamin tablets.

1. Talk to your doctor if you are taking oral contraceptives.
2. Will it affect my fertility? There’s no clear evidence to suggest that cyanocobalamin affects fertility in men or women.
3. Can I drive or ride a bike? Cyanocobalamin does not usually affect your ability to drive or ride a bike.
4. What foods can I eat to increase the amount of vitamin B12 in my diet? You can usually help your vitamin B12 levels by increasing the amount of certain foods you eat.

However, this will not help if you have a stomach (gastro-intestinal) problem that means you cannot absorb vitamin B12 from your gut. If you eat meat, fish, eggs, milk and dairy foods you should get enough vitamin B12 from your diet. Foods that are good sources of vitamin B12 include:

meat (liver, beef)fish (salmon, tuna, haddock)shellfish (muscles, scallops)dairy foods (milk, yoghurt, cheese)eggs

Some foods have vitamin B12 added (look for “fortified” on the label). These include:

breakfast cereals and breadsoya foods, non-dairy milks and spreadsyeast extract or nutritional yeast flakes

If you have a condition that means you cannot absorb enough vitamin B12 from the food you eat, it’s still a good idea to try to eat a healthy, balanced diet with enough vitamins and minerals, including B12.

What foods should be avoided if you have B12 deficiency?

Foods for vitamin B12 deficiency – Vitamin B12 is mostly found in animal products and it isn’t naturally found in plant-based foods, and so, vegans and vegetarians are mostly B12 deficient. So they need to be careful and incorporate the right foods in their diet. Eggs are pretty much the perfect food to treat Vitamin B12 deficiency! Image courtesy: Shutterstock For vegans and vegetarians, spinach, a powerhouse of nutrients, can be an ideal vitamin B12 contributor in their diets. Beetroot, too, is enriched with iron apart from being a storehouse of Vitamin B12. One can also have, a healthy substitute for those who don’t eat non-vegetarian foods.

There are certain foods that also need a cut-down in case of vitamin B12 deficiency.”Some foods and drinks can interfere with vitamin B complex intake like alcohol, caffeine and processed foods, etc should be avoided completely,” Shah added.Albeit, if you do not eat animal products, or you have a medical condition that limits how well your body absorbs nutrients, your doctor will advise you to take B12 in a multivitamin form or other supplement along with foods fortified with vitamin B12.Hence, a well-balanced diet with all the essential nutrients is vital to cope with B12 deficiency.

: Vitamin B12 deficiency: Here are the foods you should eat and avoid

How can I increase my B12 suddenly?

When should I see my healthcare provider? – If you are experiencing symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency or are at risk for developing vitamin B12 deficiency, contact your healthcare provider to see if you should take a blood test to measure your vitamin B12 level.

If you have already been diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency and are experiencing new or concerning symptoms, be sure to reach out to your healthcare provider. A note from Cleveland Clinic: Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin that your body needs to be healthy. Most people can prevent vitamin B12 deficiency by consuming enough of it in their diet.

If you have risk factors for developing vitamin B12 deficiency or are experiencing symptoms, be sure to contact your doctor to get a blood test to check your levels.

What happens when your B12 is extremely low?

– B12 deficiency can cause a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, headaches, depression, pale or yellow skin, mental impairment, and pain and inflammation in the mouth and tongue. Many of the symptoms caused by low B12 levels are not specific to B12 deficiency, which can cause the condition to go undetected.

What happens if you ignore B12 deficiency?

What Happens if Your B12 Deficiency Is Left Untreated? Your red blood cells, nerves, and brain all depend on vitamin B12. But some people don’t get enough of this nutrient. When left untreated, a B12 deficiency can cause a number of health problems. Some are mild while others are more serious. Certain groups are more likely than others to have really low levels.

You’re vegan or strict vegetarian.You have an inflammatory bowel disease, like Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis.You have celiac disease.You’re older than 50.You’ve had surgery on your stomach.You have a family history of pernicious anemia.

A simple blood test can show if your B12 levels aren’t where they should be. Treatment, including shots or supplements, can help you get healthy. But if you ignore your deficiency, here are some of the things that can happen. This is when your body can’t make enough healthy red blood cells.

• A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause megaloblastic anemia.
• Megaloblasts are immature red blood cells that are larger than normal.
• They usually have an odd shape, too.
• When you have anemia, your red blood cells have trouble getting oxygen to your tissues and organs.
• It may take you a few years to notice any problems.

But over time, you may get symptoms such as:

Tiredness that comes on easilyWeaknessPale skinAchinessFast or irregular heartbeatDizzinessSore or red tongueEnlarged liverYellow skin

If your anemia goes untreated for a long time, it can lead to heart failure. That’s because your heart has to work harder. B12-related anemia may also raise the chances you’ll have a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular problem. Anemia from a B12 deficiency can also cause issues with your nerves.

1. This can happen with or without anemia.
2. B12 helps your body make myelin.
3. That’s a protective layer around the “wires” in your nervous system.
4. It breaks down when you don’t have enough B12, opening your nerve fibers up to damage.
5. At first, you may start to get a “pins and needles” feeling in your hands and feet.

Your muscles may be weak. Over time, you may have numbness. This loss of sensation tends to affect your legs first. Other symptoms include:

Loss of balanceSlow reflexesTrouble walkingTrouble with sexual arousalBowel or bladder problemsTrouble with your sense of smellVision loss that gets worse over time

Many of your symptoms can get better with treatment. But some may not. It depends on how serious the nerve damage is. If left untreated for a long time, B12 deficiency can lead to paralysis that doesn’t go away. Mood and memory troubles are common signs of a B12 deficiency. Like nerve problems, these may show up with or without anemia. You may get symptoms such as:

DepressionIrritabilityAnxietyRestlessnessInsomniaTrouble thinking clearly

More serious symptoms include:

Trouble telling what’s realFear someone wants to hurt youSeeing or hearing things that aren’t thereDementia-like symptoms

Rarely, some people get extrapyramidal symptoms. That’s when your body moves in ways you can’t control. For example, you might shake or get really stiff. If these symptoms are caused by a B12 deficiency, they’ll likely get better once your levels are back to normal.

While everyone’s brain shrinks with age, there’s evidence that a B12 deficiency may speed up this process. Some experts think it’s because your homocysteine levels go up when your B12 levels are too low. High levels of this amino acid are linked to brain issues and conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Experts are still trying to figure out if B12 deficiency alone causes problems with thinking and memory. Stomach cancer. If you have pernicious anemia, you don’t make enough intrinsic factor. That’s a substance that helps your stomach absorb B12 from food.

• Studies show people with pernicious anemia have a higher chance for developing stomach cancer.
• Infertility.
• There’s some evidence that a lack of B12 can make it harder to get or stay pregnant.
• It may also raise the chances your baby will have a serious birth defect.
• A deficiency may also negatively affect sperm.

More research is needed. Osteoporosis. A B12 deficiency can weaken your bones. If you also have problems walking, that raises the chances you’ll break a bone if you fall. COPD symptoms. Studies show that high homocysteine levels, which go up with a B12 deficiency, are linked with worsening chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

SOURCES:Office of Dietary Supplements (NIH): “Vitamin B12.”National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD): “Anemia, Megaloblastic.”National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: “Pernicious Anemia.”Merck Manual: “Vitamin B12 Deficiency.” Nutrients : “Cobalamin Deficiency: Clinical Picture and Radiological Findings,” “Neuroenhancement with Vitamin B12 — Underestimated Neurological Significance.” Clinical Medicine (Royal College of Physicians): Vitamin B12 deficiency — A 21 st century perspective.” American Family Physician : “Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Recognition and Management.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine : “Is vitamin B12 deficiency a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in vegetarians?” Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health : “Mood disorder with mixed, psychotic features due to vitamin b12 deficiency in an adolescent: case report.” Journal of Tropical Pediatrics : “Psychotic Disorder and Extrapyramidal Symptoms Associated with Vitamin B12 and Folate Deficiency.” Neurology : “Vitamin B12, cognition, and brain MRI measures.” Neurobiology of Aging : “Critical levels of brain atrophy associated with homocysteine and cognitive decline.”American Cancer Risk Factors: “Stomach Cancer Risk Factors.” Journal of Reproductive Medicine : “Vitamin B23 deficiency, infertility and recurrent fetal loss.”NHS (UK): “Complications: Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia.” BMC Pulmonary Medicine : “The diagnostic value of homocysteine for the occurrence and acute progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.”

: What Happens if Your B12 Deficiency Is Left Untreated?