How to tell if you are B12 deficient and why it matters

B12 is essential for the nervous system and making red blood cells so deficiency can cause anaemia. We can't produce so we have to consume it. It is mainly found in animal products so that is why most vegans and vegetarians are deficient in this. If you are deficient you can experience extreme tiredness, muscle weakness, mouth ulcers, sore tongue even affects your mental health. Studies have found that those who are deficient had increased risk of osteoporosis. In extreme cases deficiency can lead to temporary infertility and heart problems. So pregnant women need to make sure particularly that they are eating this vitamin. The longer the condition goes untreated the higher the chance of permanent damage Food sourcesMeat, milk, cheese, eggs. If you are vegan you could take a supplement or eat fortified foods like nutritional yeast, marmite and some cereals. Also fortified plant based milks like oat milk could be fortifiedWhat supplements can you takeB12 deficiency can be prevented or treated via supplementary injections given by the doctor or you can take tablets which you can buy from most pharmacies.