AIIMS-Trained Neurologist Warns Low Vitamin B12 Harms Brain And Nerves

Minor physical signs like forgetfulness, tingling, and numbness can point to a serious vitamin B12 shortage in the body. Dr Priyanka Sehrawat, an AIIMS-trained neurologist based in Gurugram, shared this warning in an Instagram post on September 15.

Symptoms And Nerve Damage

Low vitamin B12 levels can cause memory lapses, balance problems, and nerve weakness, especially in young people. Severe cases can even cause trouble walking through a condition called subacute combined degeneration of the cord. Vitamin B12 helps build the protective myelin sheath around nerve fibres. This sheath allows electrical signals to travel smoothly through the nervous system. When the body lacks this vitamin, it cannot make the myelin sheath properly, which leads to numbness and tingling sensations.

Context

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that the human body needs for healthy nerve cells and blood production, and it is commonly found in dairy, eggs, meat, and fortified foods. Deficiencies are often managed through diet changes or supplements after consulting a qualified doctor for proper tests.