Vitamin B-12 and Vitamin D are vital for several body functions including, healthy functioning of the brain, blood cell production as well as proper functioning of our nervous system. Vitamin B 12 particularly helps in preparing DNA and Red Blood Cells of our body. On the other hand, Vitamin D is essential for strong bones as it helps the body to use the calcium from the diet. Both Vitamin D and B12 deficiency can cause serious health disorder if not treated early.
To get a better picture, let’s take a look to the symptoms, treatment and precautionary measures of both of them:
Symptoms of Vitamin D and B12 deficiency
Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency
Earlier, Lack of Vitamin D in the body leads to rickets, a disease that causes bones and skeletal deformities. But today, along with this, a host of other health problems arises due to our lifestyle and eating habits.
Though there are no severe symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency, some of the common visible signs are:
• Fatigue,
• Muscle cramps,
• Joint pain,
• Weight gain,
• High Blood pressure,
• Restless sleep,
• Severe headaches,
• Constipation or diarrhea etc.
Involved Health Risks:
Vitamin D deficiency performs a significant role in the occurrence of almost all types of major diseases. Some of them are:
• Osteoporosis or Osteopenia.
• Cancers, particularly- breast, prostate, and colon cancer, etc.
• Heart-Related Diseases.
• High Blood Pressure.
• Obesity.
• Multiple sclerosis.
• Problems of infertility and PMS.
• Alzheimer's disease etc.
Diagnosis, Treatment, and Precautionary Measures
The most accurate method to measure the level of Vitamin D in the body is 25-hydroxy Vitamin D blood test.
Common Treatment methods for Vitamin D include providing Vitamin D 12 supplements for raising the level. Patients are suggested to consume foods that in the diet naturally contain Vitamin D, such as cod-liver oil, salmon fish, mushrooms, milk or yogurt, mackerel, tuna, canned fish, orange juice, etc.
Vitamin B 12 Deficiency
Usually, a deficiency of vitamin B 12 leads to anemia. If left untreated, deficiency of Vitamin B 12 progresses with the time and cause symptoms such as-
• Excessive weakness, tiredness or lightheadedness,
• Heart palpitation and shortness of breath,
• Pale skin,
• Constipation, diarrhea or suffering from loss of appetite,
• Loss of vision, etc.
Treatment and Precautionary Measures for Vitamin B 12 Deficiency:
The treatment for Vitamin B 12 Deficiency involves injecting vitamin B 12 initially with injections, high dosages of an oral replacement, or nasal therapy for life.
Some of the precautionary measures include eating animal products such as meat, poultry, liver, pork, beef etc., seafoods, dairy products such as- eggs, milk, yogurt and cheese, fortified soy milk, vitamin supplements, etc. Doctor also recommend to take B-12 containing multivitamin and eat cereals fortified with Vitamin B 12 in breakfast.
To conclude, it is always suggested to take the supplements in appropriate quantity to overcome Vitamin D and B12 deficiency in the body. However, taking Vitamin D and B12 in the diet in excess amount can also cause adverse health effects.
