Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that supports nerve health, red blood cell formation, and DNA production. When the body lacks this nutrient, it struggles to produce red blood cells, leading to a reduced oxygen supply to tissues and organs.
Vitamin B12 deficiency primarily affects nerves in the extremities, causing early warning signs in the toes. People often mistake these signs for fatigue, poor circulation, or uncomfortable footwear, which delays diagnosis. Early detection and treatment can prevent long-term complications and protect overall nervous system health.
Tingling, numbness, or burning sensations in the toes are common indicators. This occurs because a lack of vitamin B12 damages peripheral nerves, disrupting normal nerve signals and causing abnormal sensations. Prolonged vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to more severe neurological issues, such as peripheral neuropathy and difficulty walking.
A persistent symptom is toe numbness, where the toes lose sensation to touch or temperature. This makes walking or standing uncomfortable and increases the risk of injury. Some individuals also experience a continuous burning sensation in their toes. This neuropathic pain results from damaged nerves sending incorrect signals to the brain.
Cold, pale toes can also signal a deficiency. Low red blood cell counts, a result of vitamin B12 deficiency, reduce oxygen-carrying capacity, making limbs unusually cold or pale. This symptom often accompanies fatigue or weakness in other parts of the body.
Loss of toe coordination may also occur. Severe or prolonged deficiency can affect the nerves controlling toe movements, impacting balance and increasing susceptibility to falls.
Beyond foot manifestations, vitamin B12 deficiency can affect the entire body. Common physical symptoms include fatigue, weakness, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, digestive issues, a sore or red tongue, and mouth sores. Vision changes, such as blurred vision, may also develop. In severe cases, patients experience muscle weakness, difficulty walking, and loss of coordination and balance. Other manifestations include mood changes, dizziness, and poor concentration.
Vitamin B12 deficiency frequently affects individuals who follow improper vegetarian diets, the elderly, those with digestive disorders like Crohn's disease or celiac disease, people who have undergone stomach or intestinal surgery, and individuals taking certain medications.
Le Nguyen (According to Times of India)
