Some people can develop a vitamin B12 deficiency as a result of not getting enough vitamin B12 from their diet. A diet that includes meat, fish and dairy products usually provides enough vitamin B12, but people who do not regularly eat these foods can become deficient.

Who is at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency anemia?

• A family history of the disease.
• Having part or all of your stomach or intestine removed.
• Autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes.
• Crohn’s disease.
• HIV.
• Some medicines.
• Strict vegetarian diets.
• Being an older adult.

What is the relationship between vitamin B12 and stress? The fact is, high levels of stress can deplete your body of B vitamins, which are essential for the nervous and circulatory systems. It can also reduce the absorption of nutrients in your system from the foods you eat and the supplements you take.

Not having enough B12 can lead to anemia, which means your body does not have enough red blood cells to do the job. This can make you feel weak and tired. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause damage to your nerves and can affect memory and thinking.

In healthy people, the body tends to have a store of vitamin B12 that can last two to five years without being replenished. As a result, a deficiency may take several years to develop.

The need for vitamin B12 is that high If a healthy diet is followed, an insufficient supply of vitamin B12 is rare in healthy adults, but an insufficient supply can occur with persistent stress due to the fact that the usual diet no longer supplies enough.

As well as being painful, glossitis can change the way you eat and speak. Studies have shown that a swollen and inflamed tongue that has long straight lesions on it could be an early sign of vitamin B12 deficiency (15, 16).

If you have vitamin B12 deficiency, you could become anemic. A mild deficiency may cause no symptoms. But if untreated, it may lead to symptoms such as: Weakness, tiredness, or lightheadedness. Heart palpitations and shortness of breath. Pale skin. A smooth tongue.

Vitamin B12 is essential for good health, but some people may not be getting enough. WebMD tells you about symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency and how it can be treated. © 2017 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information. Do you get enough vitamin B12?

But, any nerve damage that happened due to the deficiency could be permanent. Most people can prevent vitamin B12 deficiency by eating enough meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, and eggs.