Vitamin B 12
Did you know its connection with Nerves
Numbness and tingling in the toes, finger tips is very common, especially after long seating position. Usually it just goes off as soon as you shift position. But if tingling persists, it can be an annoying symptom. We have seen patients reporting it as a severe version of nerve pain in the form of constant “pins and needles sensation”, “tingling” , “numbness” and sometimes as radiating pain. However, it is a symptom with many possible causes. Diabetes, tight shoes and a vitamin deficiency can all be culprits.
You may likely be having a Vitamin B12 deficiency, if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms.
- Strange tingling, numb sensations in the hands and feet
- Occasional staggering or balance issues
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Anaemia
- Swollen tongue
You don’t need to have all of the symptoms to have a B12 deficiency, and it is usually easily diagnosed with a blood test.
What does Vitamin B12 do?
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin necessary to maintain nerve health, make red cells and carry out other functions. . It occurs naturally in dairy and proteins, but is not stored in the body the way fat-soluble vitamins are.
Lack of it may lead to one or more of the above-mentioned symptoms. So please check on your nutrients and get your B12 checked so that your nerves don’t pinch you for the lack of it.
National Institutes of Health remarks, “Poor B12 (deficient B12 status and low serum B12) is associated with worse sensory and motor peripheral nerve function. Nerve function impairments may lead to physical function declines and disability in older adults, suggesting that prevention and treatment of low B12 levels may be important to evaluate.”
