6 GROUPS MOST AT RISK OF VITAMIN DEFICIENCY THAT CAN CAUSE MEMORY LOSS AND DEPRESSION

Vitamin B12 is a vital ingredient in our body’s delicate ecosystem. It’s essential to form healthy red blood cells and a deficiency can cause these to become malformed and start malfunctioning.

Because of this, leaving a B12 deficiency untreated can have devastating consequences ranging from temporary infertility to nerve damage, pregnancy complications and heart conditions according to the NHS. However, its earliest warning signs can be quite subtle and vague making it difficult to detect but some people are far more at risk than others.

Fatigue

A general feeling of tiredness can be a symptom of B12 deficiency as your cells struggle to form and deliver oxygen around your body. Frequent breathlessness can also be a warning sign.

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Strange feelings

B12 forms the protective layer around nerve cells, which allows the body to effectively communicate with your nerves. Having this system disrupted means you may feel odd sensations, such as pins and needles, and if it lasts long enough it could lead to permanent nerve damage

Coordination difficulties

Struggling to find your balance, developing issues with motor skills or feeling generally unsteady can be a major indicator. This can be due to damaged nerves in the spinal cord potentially due to a B12 deficiency.

Memory loss and brain fog

In some ways, B12 deficiency can mimic dementia symptoms as it affects the neurotransmitters in the brain. This can result in issues with memory, understanding and judgement that some people describe as being unable to focus or concentrate on tasks according to The Telegraph.

Mood

B12 also helps to form serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine which all play a key role in your mood. This malformation can cause conditions like depression anxiety, mood swings or even affect sleep and appetite patterns.

Oral health

Mouth ulcers, particularly in the corners of the mouth, can be common in cases of B12 deficiency. Your tongue may also become sore and red with an almost glossy like texture, usually caused by a lack of oxygen and nutrients reaching the tongue.

B12 deficiencies can be caused by a range of lifestyle and genetic factors. This can include conditions like coeliac disease, pernicious anaemia and low stomach acid, all of which affect the body’s ability to take in and use B12 even if you are consuming enough of it in your diet.

People who consume a lot of alcohol may also struggle to absorb and use B12. The deficiency also becomes more common with age, as one in 10 people over the age of 75 are believed to be B12 deficient compared to one in 20 people aged between 65 and 75.

Diet is one of the most common causes for this deficiency but also offers a simple treatment for it. B12 is mainly found in animal products so people that don’t eat meat may be particularly at risk.

However, even if you’re eating plenty of foods rich in B12, you might not be reaping the rewards if you’re not getting enough folate too. This is found in most fruits, vegetables and wholegrains.

B12 injections, nasal spray and supplement tablets are also viable treatment choices, depending on your circumstances. A vitamin deficiency can be diagnosed through your GP or pharmacy as well as a range of at-home tests.

2025-04-04T14:02:40Z