A deficiency of this vitamin can cause serious neurological problems.

July 29, 2022

A deficiency of this vitamin can cause serious neurological problems. The changes on your finger nails can be a sign you have a low supply of it.

Nails are a valuable source of information about your health. Their condition may indicate deficiencies of important elements such as vitamins., and the fact that you lack it, you may notice, looking at your nails.

Vitamin B12 is crucial for our health. Vitamin B12 is responsible for maintaining and strengthening proper metabolism and production of the energy in cells. It reduces the feeling of fatigue and maintains high activity and efficient work of muscles. It supports the work of the nervous system and brain functions. What's more, it participates in the process of producing red blood cells and supports the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. Combining with other substances - e.g. folic acid - affects the metabolism of homocysteine, the excess of which leads to the development of atherosclerosis.

Deteriorating diet causes more and more nutrient deficiencies. As the source of this vitamin are almost only animal products, vegetarians and vegans should be particularly conscious of taking correct doses of this vitamin.

Vitamin B12 deficiency on nails.

The average recommended doses of vitamin B12 vary depending on age. Adults should take 2.4 mcg of vitamin B12 per day.

What are the symptoms of excess or deficiency of vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a very common problem, it’s excess in the body on the other hand is a very rare situation. Why does this happen? This is due to the properties of this vitamin, which is soluble in water, so it can be excreted with urine and then. For this reason, its overdose is almost impossible. In rare situations, however, there are allergies to vitamin B12. There may be such symptoms as nasal bleeding, other allergic reactions, and sporadically even anaphylactic shock.

Vitamin B12 deficiency affects many systems and gives a wide spectrum of symptoms. extreme tiredness

• a lack of energy• pins and needles (paraesthesia)
• a sore and red tongue
• mouth ulcers
• muscle weakness
• disturbed vision
• psychological problems, including depression and confusion
• problems with memory, understanding and judgement (1)

Low levels of vitamin B12 can cause changes on the nails of both the feet and the hands. In the recently published study in the British Medical Journal, experts explain:

"Nail changes in vitamin B12 deficiency present as hyperpigmentation of nails like bluish discoloration of nails, blue-black pigmentation with dark longitudinal streaks and longitudinal and reticulate darkened streaks." (2)

Scientists managed to determine that nail pigmentation associated with abnormal values of vitamin B12 in the body is common in patients with darker complexion. The study was analyzed by a case study of a 12-year-old boy who had been decreasing the feet and hands for three months.

Serious vitamin B12 deficiency was considered a factor causing discoloration of nails - the experts pointed out.

How to prevent vitamin B12 deficiencies?

Most people can prevent vitamin B12 deficiency by eating enough products such as meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products. If you do not eat animal products or suffer from a disease that limits the absorption of nutrients by the body, you should supplement vitamin B12.

To increase the absorption of vitamin B12, take it together with folic acid or calcium. Other compounds positively affecting B12 absorption are, among others Vitamin B6 or Biotin. That is why a good option is to reach for B Complex supplements. Vitamin B Complex usually contains vitamin B12 along with others mentioned Biotin and B6, which significantly improves bioavailability.