Contents:
- Medical Video: 5 Signs of Lacking Vitamin B12
- Overview of vitamin B12
- Diseases arising from lack of vitamin B12
- 1. Anemia
- 2. Depression
- 3. Peripheral neuropathy
- 4. Glossitis
- 5. Constipation
Medical Video: 5 Signs of Lacking Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 serves to maintain the health of nerve cells, blood cells, and help compile DNA. Unfortunately, some people still lack this vitamin. Especially people who are vegetarian or vegan. Be careful, if you have vitamin B12 deficiency, you can experience certain diseases. What diseases can occur due to lack of vitamin B12?
Overview of vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin that cannot be produced by the body itself. These sources of vitamin B12 are mostly from animal food sources. Fortunately, the body can temporarily store vitamin B12.
However, if you don't get a supply of food containing vitamin B12, these reserves will eventually run out and your body will lack vitamin B12.
This vitamin deficiency interferes with many bodily functions, especially in the production of red blood cells and is related to nerve conditions.
Diseases arising from lack of vitamin B12
1. Anemia
Lack of vitamin B12 can cause anemia, especially megaloblastic anemia. Megaloblastic anemia is a blood disorder that occurs when the number of good quality red blood cells is less than normal. When the body does not have enough red blood cells to function properly, tissues and organs may not get enough oxygen.
The most common causes of this condition are megaloblastic anemia due to a lack of vitamin B12 and a lack of folate in the body.
Both of these nutrients are needed to produce healthy red blood cells. When both are lacking, the body's ability to produce red blood cells with good quality decreases. The resulting red blood cells become too large and brittle.
These too large and fragile red blood cells cannot get out of the bone marrow to enter the bloodstream, and then cannot deliver oxygen to all body tissues. As a result, body tissues lack oxygen.
If this is the case, various symptoms of anemia appear, ranging from weakness, fatigue, headaches, to the gums becoming pale.
2. Depression
Reported on the Mayo Clinic page, the lack of vitamin B12 is related to the occurrence of depression. Vitamin B12 and other B vitamins work together to produce body chemicals that affect brain mood and function. Therefore, when the amount of vitamin B12 decreases, this will disrupt the balance of brain chemical production.
3. Peripheral neuropathy
The condition of lack of vitamin B12 in the body can also trigger nerve problems. Lack of vitamin B12 damages the myelin sheath which functions around and protects the nerves. Without this protector, the nerve stops functioning properly. This disorder is called peripheral neuropathy.
Just a little vitamin B12 deficiency can even affect the overall nervous system work and brain function.
Nerve damage that occurs due to lack of vitamin B12 can occur permanently if not treated immediately. The most common symptoms are numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.
4. Glossitis
Lack of vitamin B12 in the body can also trigger disorders of the oral cavity, one of which is on the tongue called glossitis. Glossitis is a term used to describe the condition of an inflamed tongue. If you experience glossitis, the tongue will change color and shape, feel painful, redder, and swollen.
Inflammation due to glossitis can make the tongue feel smooth because of the small bumps that should be on your tongue disappear.
In addition to the tongue, vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause burning mouth syndrome. Symptoms of dry mouth, increased thirst, sore mouth, tingling or numbness in the tongue and lips, and the presence of burning sensations in the lips, tongue, gums, palate, and throat.
5. Constipation
The more severe anemia in people who lack vitamin B12 has the potential to cause digestive problems such as constipation (constipation) and cause abdominal pain. If vitamin B12 continues to be insufficient, constipation will get worse.
Intake of foods rich in vitamin B12 must be increased to overcome this impact. For example beef liver, salmon, and tuna. For those of you who are vegan or vegetarian, you may need a vitamin B12 supplement according to your doctor's advice.
