Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin that is vital for one’s metabolism, the proper functioning of one’s brain and nervous system, as well as the formation of blood. Being water soluble, Vitamin B12 can dissolve in water, and once the body uses the right amount of vitamins, the excess will be flushed away through the urine. Vitamin B12 can be obtained from animal products such as eggs, milk, and shellfish.

There are many Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms. These can cause harsh and permanent damage particularly to the brain and nervous system. A deficiency would lead you to feel a shortness of breath, depressed, exhausted, and forgetful. You might also have extremely pale skin and lips, a sore mouth, brittle nails, jaundice and a swollen red tongue. You’ll have cold hands and feet, chest pains and heart palpitations. However, these symptoms are too general to be pinpointed as lacking adequate Vitamin B12. If you have a blood test, you will have a low red blood cell count, large red blood cells, and a low level of hemoglobin.

Other symptoms would be gastrointestinal symptoms which may lead to the enlargement of the liver, nausea, heartburn, abdominal bloating, loss of appetite, diarrhea or constipation, and vomiting. You might also experience neurological symptoms, and megaloblastic anemia. One of the main results of deficiency in Vitamin B12 would be pernicious anemia or Biermer’s disease.

The worsening of such symptoms would lead to mental disorders which make one feel irritable, unable to focus, depression and suicidal tendencies, and also paraphrenia complex. Other symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency would be signs of psychosis and mania.

The nervous system may also experience several Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms. Usually, you won’t be able to clearly feel pressures, vibration, and deep touch. You’ll also lose your sense of touch and feel numb. There would also be a weakness or even total lack of deep muscle-tendon reflexes.

Vitamin B12 is a key part of your body's overal optimum health.  It is extremely important to the body, so always be sure to take the right amount. There are specifications that are based on one’s age, gender, and condition. Consult a professional in order to find out the right dosage for you.