Vitamin B12 is essential for the human of the central nervous system, red blood cell formation and DNA synthesis. However, it can’t be made by the body. B12 is found in meat, poultry and dairy products.
In many people, a vitamin B12 deficiency can be prevented. If you are a strict vegetarian or vegan, it’s important to eat breads, cereals, or other grains that have been fortified with vitamin B12 or take a supplement.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can develop slowly which causes symptoms to appear gradually and intensify over time. It can also come on relatively quickly. Given the array of symptoms a vitamin B12 deficiency can cause, the condition can be overlooked or confused with something else. Examples of some symptoms are limb numbness, anaemia, fatigue and memory loss.