➡️14. Loss of Muscle Strength
Do you find your muscles feeling unusually weak or that carrying your groceries feels like a Herculean task? This isn’t necessarily about a lack of exercise. Just as a B12 deficiency starves your body of energy, it also starves your muscles of oxygen. Without adequate oxygen, your muscle cells can’t perform efficiently, leading to a noticeable decrease in strength and endurance. If you can’t trace your muscle weakness to a recent intense workout or illness, it’s worth considering if a nutrient deficiency is the underlying culprit.
➡️13. Persistent Pins and Needles
Have you ever experienced that strange, tingling sensation when your foot falls asleep? Now, imagine feeling that—or a sensation of electrical zaps—for no apparent reason in your hands, feet, or other parts of your body. This symptom, known as paresthesia, is a classic neurological sign of a B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is vital for maintaining the health of the myelin sheath, a protective fatty layer that insulates your nerves. Without enough B12, this sheath can begin to degrade, leading to nerve damage. This damage disrupts the normal signaling between your brain and your body, causing these bizarre and uncomfortable sensations.
