What diseases are caused by vitamin B12 deficiency? Image credit source: Getty Images
Amid the growing variety of diseases in the country, vitamin B12 deficiency has also become a big problem in recent years. According to the National Institute of Health, 30 percent of the country’s population is deficient in this vitamin. The main reasons for its deficiency are bad eating habits, poor lifestyle and the growing trend of including junk food in the diet. Vitamin B12 deficiency has become so common that doctors now recommend almost everyone get tested at least once every 6 months. This is because its deficiency can cause many diseases in the body,
What diseases are caused by vitamin B12 deficiency and how can its deficiency be compensated? Please let us know this in detail.
According to the American Society of Hematology, vitamin B12 deficiency affects almost every organ in the body. Deficiency of this vitamin increases the risk of many diseases. When vitamin B12 is low, the body’s red blood cells also begin to decrease. Some people also have megaloblastic anemia. Large red blood cells are formed in it, which are not good for the body. Anemia is a major symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency. Due to anemia there is lack of blood in the body. Which can be dangerous.
Vitamin B12 and brain diseases
Dr Ajit Jain of the Department of Medicine at Delhi’s GTB Hospital says there is a risk of neurological diseases due to vitamin B12 deficiency. This can cause memory weakness. Some people who suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency also suffer from peripheral neuropathy. This affects the nervous system. There is also a risk of dementia due to vitamin deficiency.
According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2021, vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to dementia in old age. This causes amnesia. People’s memory begins to weaken. It affects the brain in different ways. In some cases, the risk of Parkinson’s disease also increases in older people.
Much research shows that vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause anxiety and depression. Many such cases are also reported every year.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is the cause of skin and hair problems.
Dr Bhavuk Dheer, former head of the dermatology department at Delhi’s RML Hospital, says he advises all patients who come to him with skin or hair problems to get a vitamin B12 test done. Most of these people are deficient in this vitamin.
Dr. Dhir explains that vitamin B12 deficiency affects both skin and hair. This causes problems such as dry skin and hair loss. Vitamin B12 deficiency also increases the risk of digestive system problems such as celiac disease and Crohn’s disease.
Vitamin B12 deficiency also increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Although these cases are rare, deficiency of this vitamin can cause these problems.
Why does vitamin B12 decrease in the body?
Dietician Dr Rakshita Mehra says there are many reasons for vitamin B12 deficiency in the body. Generally, people who follow a vegetarian diet are deficient in this vitamin. However, there are now more shortages than before. The reason for this includes lack of healthy foods like milk, curd butter, green vegetables and fruits in the diet. Now people eat more fast food and also processed food. This type of food reduces the absorption process of vitamin B12 in the body. Since vitamin B12 is not produced by the body itself and is obtained only from food, there is a deficiency of this vitamin.
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency
fatigue and weakness
headache and dizziness
weight loss
skin problems
hair loss
memory leak
Ways to prevent vitamin B12 deficiency
Include meat, fish, eggs and curd in your diet.
Take vitamin B12 supplements as directed by your doctor.
get enough sleep
daily exercise
Start taking vitamin B12 medications based on your doctor’s advice.
