Are you getting enough Vitamin B12? Vitamin B12 is highly important for the nervous system and the formation of red blood cells. It is a vitamin that is not produced by human body and has to be taken from animal sources.

What are the various sources of Vitamin B12?

Dairy products like milk, cheese

Egg, fish, meat

Fortified cereals

How much Vitamin B 12 is required by everyone?

For adults: The recommended dose of vitamin b12 for adults is 2.4mcg.

Pregnant women: Need higher dosage of approximately 2.6mcg per day

Breastfeeding women: Approximately 2.8mch per day is the requirement.

Who are more prone to Vitamin b12 deficiencies?

• Vegetarians or vegans
• Adults over 50 years of age
• Alcoholics
• People who have pernicious anaemia
• People who have gastrointestinal disorders
• Anybody who has gotten a bowel surgery done.
• Crohn’s disease or Celiac disease that affects the small intestine.
• If you are on medications such as Metformin ( drug for diabetes), various antacids like pantaprazole,rabeprazole,H2 blockers like cimetidine . These medicines can interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12.

What are the signs and symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency?

Fatigue and weakness

Paleness of the skin

Constipation, loss of appetite, recurrent diarrhoea

Loss of stamina

Pains in legs and muscles

Muscle loss

Numbness or tingling in nerves

Loss of vision

Dementia

If you have been experiencing any on the above symptoms, maybe you should get your Vitamin B12 levels checked .