5 warning signs of Vitamin B12 deficiency in your feet you shouldn’t ignore

The symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency can silently creep in affecting your moods, energy levels, and interest in daily activities. As lethargy takes over, you may find it increasingly difficult to stay motivated. Vitamin B12 is a crucial nutrient that plays an important role in maintaining the health of your nerves and blood cells. The human body doesn’t naturally create it, so it’s crucial to get sufficient doses of it from red meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, and fish.

In the case of vegetarians and vegans, fortified cereals, plant milks, bread, and nutritional yeast can be included in the diet.
Deficiency of Vitamin B12 may affect production of healthy blood cells in absence of which blood and oxygen doesn’t reach the vital organs. It is also apparent in the functioning of the brain and nerves.
The deficiency of this vital vitamin can manifest in various ways, often in subtle signs that are easy to overlook. Your feet is one of the areas in the body where its symptoms can appear but more often than not, they are frequently ignored.
Here are five key warning signs in your feet that could signal a Vitamin B12 deficiency.

1. Numbness and tingling

Do you feel ‘pins and needles sensation’ in your feet after brief periods of inactivity or after waking up in the morning? This strange tingling sensation is a telltale sign of Vitamin B12 deficiency as it indicates trouble with your nerve health.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to nerve damage, particularly in peripheral areas like your feet. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), peripheral neuropathy caused by B12 deficiency can become irreversible if untreated, highlighting the importance of early detection. This symptom is also common in people suffering from diabetes as they may develop diabetes neuropathy.

2. Burning sensation

A burning sensation in your feet and hands should not be ignored as it could be another indicator of Vitamin B12 deficiency. This discomfort arises due to impaired nerve function caused by the lack of sufficient B12. A study published in the Journal of Neurology found that individuals with low B12 levels often reported burning pain in their extremities, particularly in the feet and hands. If you haven’t experienced an injury and this is happening without a reason, it’s time to contact a healthcare professional.

3. Difficulty walking or loss of balance

Vitamin B12 deficiency can also affect your ability to maintain balance while walking, especially in the dark. This happens because the vitamin is vital for the production of myelin, a protective coating around nerves. When myelin is damaged, nerve signals become disrupted, leading to coordination issues. Research from Harvard Medical School notes that prolonged deficiency can cause gait disturbances, which may initially appear as clumsiness or unsteadiness, particularly in the feet.

4. Pale or yellowish skin on feet

A pale or slightly yellowish hue on the skin of your feet may be linked to a B12 deficiency. This happens because a lack of Vitamin B12 affects red blood cell production, leading to anemia and a decrease in oxygen supply to the extremities. A study in the American Journal of Hematology found that Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia often results in pallor, especially noticeable in areas like the feet where blood flow is already slower.

5. Cold feet

Are your feet always cold? It is easy to ignore this symptom but it is another silent sign of B12 deficiency that should not be ignored. Cold feet can often be a sign of poor circulation, which can be exacerbated by a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Low B12 levels impair the production of red blood cells, reducing oxygen transport to your extremities. According to Cleveland Clinic, this can lead to symptoms like persistent coldness in the feet, even in warm conditions.