Are you sleeping well, but still feeling exhausted? Do you sometimes have a spinning head, a strange tongue or a less reliable memory? What if all these little signals – which are often blamed on stress or age – were hiding something else? One avenue to explore: your vitamin B12 levels.
Persistent fatigue: when the body sounds the alarm
It’s not a temporary fatigue that disappears with a coffee or a lie-in. No, it follows you everywhere, like a veil in the head. Vitamin B12 plays a key role in energy production. When it is lacking, the body struggles to produce enough red blood cells, and the entire body works in slow motion.
Dizziness, instability… and floating sensation
Do you get up a little too quickly and the room is turning? Are you climbing a flight of stairs and your balance is shaking? These temporary dizziness may be linked to a B12 deficiency. It’s not necessarily serious, but it’s a signal not to be neglected.
Soft muscles, for no apparent reason
Are you having trouble carrying your shopping bags or opening a jar? It doesn’t have to be about fitness: a B12 deficiency can cause muscle weakness because your muscles don’t get enough oxygen.
Tingling in the fingers or feet? This is not always trivial
These tingling or numbness sensations may be related to mild nerve damage. And guess who is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system? The B12, of course! A prolonged deficiency can slow down the transmission of nerve signals, which manifests itself in a tangible way.
Failing memory and foggy mind
Memory lapses, difficulty concentrating or making simple decisions… This mental fog is not always related to stress. Vitamin B12 contributes to the proper oxygenation of the brain. Lacking them can give the impression of having a less clear mind.
A smooth tongue and a pale complexion
Another sign that is a little surprising: an abnormally smooth, red and sensitive tongue. And in terms of complexion, you may notice a certain pallor, a sign that your body is not producing enough red blood cells. Once again, the B12 may be to blame.
But then, what is this famous vitamin B12 used for?
It doesn’t just feel good: it’s essential to our overall balance. During pregnancy, for example, it contributes to the proper development of the fetus. It also supports bone health, helps prevent some low mood by promoting serotonin production, and supports the immune system. In short, an important vitamin for our body.
Where to find it, concretely?
Vitamin B12 is mainly found in foods of animal origin: beef liver, oysters, herring, eggs, cheeses such as Emmental or Camembert… If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, it may be harder to get enough of it. In this case, food supplements are a solution recommended by health professionals.
At the slightest alert, it is best to consult a health professional to take stock and stay in good shape all year round.
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