Vitamin B12 is one of the nutrients that are really essential in one's body. Also known as cobalamin as it contains cobalt, Vitamin B12 is important because it helps maintain the nervous system plus it helps in the formation of RBCs or red blood cells. Although Vitamin B12 is stored inside human bodies for numerous years, still there are people who suffer from B12 deficiency symptoms.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is actually a medical condition that people who have insufficient B12 nutrients inside their bodies suffer. What are the underlying causes of this condition? Here are some of them:

• Being a vegan or a person who is a strict vegetarian and who doesn't eat animal or dairy products at all. Studies show that about 92% of vegans are suffering from Vitamin B12 deficiency because the nutrition content of the food they eat lacks Vitamin B12
• Reduction of the stomach. It should be noted that the stomach is a source of a substance known as intrinsic factor. This substance binds Vitamin B12 plus it allows absorption of the said Vitamin at the last portion of the small intestine or the so-called Ileum. If a portion of the stomach is removed or destroyed, there is a great tendency for a person to suffer B12 deficiency symptoms
• Malabsorption or the condition where there is abnormal absorption of the nutrients from food across the gastrointestinal tract.
• Auto-immune disease where one's own immune system works against the other parts of the body. The system acts like bacteria or viruses.

In order to avoid Vitamin B12 deficiency, aside from carefully looking at the nutrition data of the food you eat, it is important for you to know the symptoms of this condition so that you can get yourself treated at the earliest possible time. Here is a list of B12 deficiency symptoms:

• First is nervousness or moodiness. Since B-complex vitamins work for the nervous system, lack of this kind of vitamin can cause nervousness or moodiness
• Second symptom is numb and tingling fingers and toes. This is also for the reason that B12 is very important in the nervous system
• Third is high level of Homocysteine in the blood. B12 with other B-complex vitamins are also known for reducing Homocysteine in the blood
• Fourth is constipation and loss of appetite
• Fifth is anemia. B12 helps develop red blood cells and this is what is lacking in an anemic person
• Other common symptoms are weakness and fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations and rapid heartbeat, nausea, weight loss, light headedness and dizziness.

Be cautious of what you eat and make it a practice to look at the nutrition data of the food you consume. In case you experience any of the Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms, don't ever hesitate to call your doctor. Remember, prevention is indeed better than cure.