signs of vitamin B12 deficiency you should never ignore as we age our bodies become less able to absorb vitamin B12 the production of DNA in red blood cells is aided by vitamin B12 the human body can't produce vitamin B12 so we need to receive it from outside sources like supplements or animal products however not everyone values the importance of this vitamin as a result they develop a deficiency in this key vitamin about 40 percent of North Americans are vitamin B12 deficient according to studies vitamin B12 deficiency is common among people who experience chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia before we begin please hit the Subscribe button and enable notifications to ensure you never miss any of our future uploads now if you suspect you have a vitamin B12 shortage here are some symptoms to look out for in some solutions to the problem number one fatigue is one of the most obvious symptoms however this is not the same as typical exhaustion if you get eight hours of sleep every night but still feel tired during the day you may not be getting enough vitamin B12 the production of red blood cells in the human body is reliant on this vitamin as the body's production of red blood cells increases so does the amount of oxygen it can transport keep in mind that exhaustion is just one symptom so you shouldn't automatically assume that you're lacking vitamin B12 number two you have weak muscles because the muscles can't get enough oxygen vitamin B12 is essential for healthy red blood cells which carry oxygen to working muscles consequently lacking in B12 can cause muscle weakness number three problems with the eyes such as permanent damage to the optic nerve in extreme situations retinal blood vessels can also be blocked by this in extreme cases this can lead to total blindness do not attempt to diagnose your declining Vision on your own instead see a doctor number four yellowing of the skin a lack of vitamin B12 can cause skin to seem pale the release of bilirubin results from the destruction of red blood cells as a result the affected individual's complexion will take on a yellowish hue if this persists it's time to see a doctor because you may have jaundice five your tongue is red and smooth people who don't get enough B12 lose the bumps on their tongue called papillae people often report discomfort in the back of their tongue as well according to studies taste buds are found in the majority of the tongues papillae the flavor of your food will suffer if you lose too much of it what can lead day be 12 deficiency the healthy bacteria in our digestive systems help us digest food and absorb nutrients however if the gut bacteria are out of whack vital nutrients may not be absorbed properly vitamin B12 is one example of such a substance chemotherapy is a contributing factor as well it is possible for the chemotherapy drugs to irritate and inflame the digestive tract the first step in treating vitamin B12 shortage is making adjustments to your diet include Meats like fish poultry and lamb that are rich in vitamin B12 in addition to beef liver chicken liver can also be used in the event that you are unable to increase your B12 intake through diet alone you may want to consider supplementing with vitamin B12 methylcobalamin and cyanocobalamin are two B12 supplement choices that work well wait to consult your physician before beginning to take these supplements those who choose a vegetarian or vegan diet may also benefit from these vitamins taking high quality probiotics is another beneficial step they'll improve your body's ability to absorb vitamin B12 kefir dark chocolate and kombucha are all excellent options for getting their probiotics methods for treating vitamin B12 deficiency eating less inflammatory foods will help you maintain a healthy digestive tract these are things like processed foods fast foods fried foods and cheap meats and food additives vitamin B12 deficiency is uncommon in those who maintain a healthy diet and use B12 supplements knowing the most prominent symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can make it easier for you to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns enjoyed this video hit the like button and subscribe to our channel for more videos like this thanks for watching