Hair Loss: Possible Symptom Of B12 Deficiency

Hair loss can be a symptom of a variety of reasons. The lack of vitamin B12 may be one of them. While your body requires very low levels of vitamin B12 on a daily basis, it is still essential for your body to function. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include loss of hair, mental confusion, fatigue or anemia.

This vitamin is essential for maintaining a healthy nervous system and for the normal metabolic function of all your cells. Your body has developed a way to recycle the vitamin from other sources in your body, such as bile, and is able to store it for up to six years.

B12 vitamin deficiency is more likely to occur with people who have intestinal or stomach problems. Healthy intestines contain an enzyme which is needed for your body to absorb this vitamin. Without this enzyme it is likely that you will develop a vitamin deficiency. Hair loss may be a visible sign of something wrong. There could be a more serious underlying medical condition that needs to be treated.

Sufferers from anemia are more at risk to develop a B12 vitamin deficiency. Simply boosting your intake of foods high in B12 may not be enough to overcome the deficiency and injections may be required. People over 50 are also more likely to suffer from this condition because the body begins to limit the secretions that are required to separate out B12 from other food proteins.

If your medical doctor determines that your hair loss is caused by a lack of B12, then s/he will probably recommend a change in your diet to boost your intake of certain foods. The best sources of vitamin B12 are considered to be meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk and other dairy products. Failing this, a vitamin supplement may be recommended.