For maintaining a healthy body we should ensure that our diet is varied, balanced and resourceful of all the vitamins and minerals we need. All food groups should be represented because no single food ingredient or group can provide even a small proportion of what we need on its own. Food is converted into energy, usually with assistance from vitamins so it would seem logical that the body could synthesis its own vitamins to replenish, as it needs them. It, however, cannot and the stocks need to be topped up from natural sources in our foods or with nutritional supplements. The importance of vitamins cannot be understated and a lack of some nutrients can cause serious conditions – such a with a Vitamin B12 deficiency.

Vitamin Types

Vitamins are either water or fat-soluble.

Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble. These vitamins are transported around the body in fat and are mainly stored in the liver. The advantage of fat-soluble vitamins is that because they are able to be stored there is no need to get them daily. These vitamins are found in meat, animal fat, vegetable oils, dairy products and fish.

Vitamins B and C (and folic acid) are water-soluble. These are carried around the body in water and because the excess is passed in urine your body can’t store them. You need to ensure your diet includes a healthy mix of meat, fish, fruit, vegetables and wholegrain on a daily basis.

Why is B12 important?

Vitamin B12 works as a partner with folic acid in the manufacture of DNA and red blood cells and is vital in the health of nerve cells. As these are basic and vital functions, a vitamin B12 deficiency can affect circulation, respiration and neurological processes.

What impact does a B12 deficiency have?

A Vitamin B12 deficiency may not show itself for 5-6 years because the amount the body needs daily is very small and it is the water-soluble vitamin that is excreted at a much slower rate than the others.  The problem is that the consequences of a Vitamin B12 deficiency are before any symptoms show.

The common physical symptoms you’ll experience are a shortness of breath, feeling dizzy, pale skin, cold hands and feet (due to bad circulation), pains in the chest an irregular heartbeats.

If the deficiency is affecting the neurological system you’ll experience some, all or any combination of the following; insomnia, irritability, depression; poor concentration, confusion and memory problems. You may also suffer frequent and/or headaches or spells of light-headedness.

One of the problems for the older population is that the symptoms of a B12 deficiency are similar to those of senile dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and whilst these are considered incurable a healthy influx of nutritional supplements can reverse the Vitamin B12 deficiency.