Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin meaning the body requires vitamin B12 to work properly. Vitamin B12 can be found in foods such as meat, fish, dairy products or in supplementation form. When B12 levels in the blood are too low a deficiency will occur causing changes in these three body parts.
The tongue suddenly itches from time to time without warning, said the Thyroid Patient Advocacy.
The health site continued: “This occurs on the edge of the tongue, along one side or the other or at the tip.
“There is an irresistible urge to scratch the tongue on the teeth to stop the itching.
“Some individuals experience stinging, pain, or tingling instead of itching which may be a sign of a B12 deficiency.”
Vision change
Blurred vision could be caused by not having enough vitamin B12 in your diet.
It’s linked to nervous system damage in the optic nerve, which leads directly to your eyes.
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Vision change happens when the deficiency causes damage to the optic nerve that leads to the eyes.
The nervous signal that travels from the eye to the brain is disturbed due to this damage, leading to impaired vision.
How much to take to avoid a B12 deficiency?
The typical general supplemental dose of vitamin B12 is one to 25 mcg per day, advised WebMD.
The site added: “The recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) of vitamin B12 are 1.8 mcg for older children and adults, 2.4 mcg; pregnant women, 2.6 mcg; and breast-feeding women, 2.8 mcg.
“Because 10 to 30 percent of older people do not absorb food-bound vitamin B12 efficiently, those over 50 years should meet the RDA by eating foods fortified with B12 or by taking a vitamin B12 supplement.
“Supplementation of 25-100 mcg per day has been used to maintain vitamin B12 levels in older people.”
Source: Daily Express
