Khaberni - Fatigue, mental confusion, and perhaps some mild numbness in the hands and feet are signs that many think indicate aging or even stress. But in fact, all these symptoms may be warning indicators of a deficiency in essential vitamins and minerals in the body..
If you are experiencing unusual fatigue, have difficulty concentrating, and frequently suffer from shortness of breath, for example, it could be due to a deficiency in vitamin B12..
According to the "Daily Mail", about 15% of those aged between 15 and 29 years, and 20% of people over the age of 60, have low levels of this vitamin, which may not reach the level of deficiency, but are low enough to cause symptoms to appear..
Vitamin's impact on the brain
This essential vitamin helps the brain produce chemicals that transmit signals: a deficiency in vitamin B12 may lead to memory problems, which may be mistakenly diagnosed as early stages of dementia..
This nutrient is also essential for maintaining the protective sheath of nerves, as chronic deficiency in vitamin B12 can reduce the effectiveness of this sheath, causing nerve damage and sensations of tingling in the hands and feet..
The importance of checking vitamin levels
In the elderly, it may affect their balance and increase the likelihood of falls. If left untreated for years, the nerve may not fully recover, and the damage could be permanent. Therefore, detecting a vitamin B12 deficiency in a timely manner is extremely important..
It is also more common in certain groups, and this is partly due to the fact that one of the main sources of this vitamin - milk - contains about 50% less vitamin B12 compared to the year 1996, according to a study conducted by the Quadram Institute for Research in Norwich in 2023, believed to result from changes in livestock feed..
Sources of vitamin B12
Animal foods such as beef, salmon, and eggs are the best sources of the vitamin, and fortified plant-based foods like plant milk as well, although some people are more prone to a deficiency of vitamin B12.
A study found that more than 20% of those older than 85 years have a deficiency in vitamin B12. This is partly due to a decrease in stomach acid production with age, which is necessary for absorbing vitamin B12 from food..
