WHAT DOES B-12 DO FOR NEUROPATHY?
Low levels of vitamin B12 in the body can lead to wide-ranging symptoms.
Of the many, two of the lesser-known symptoms include “tingling” or “numbness” in the feet, according to the Mayo Clinic.
This occurs because vitamin B12 contributes to the healthy functioning of the nervous system. Its absence can therefore make people susceptible to nerve damage
The protective barrier that is formed around a nerve requires vitamin B-12 to remain healthy and functional, making the vitamin important for a functioning nervous system. A deficiency in B-12 for long enough can lead to damage that isn’t reversible, with symptoms like neuropathy occurring. While there is no known cure for B-12 neuropathy, B-12 can be used as a part of neuropathy treatment to help ensure you maintain nerve function.
Neuropathy often occurs because of a breakdown of the myelin sheath, the outer layer of nerves that protects them from damage and allows electrical impulses to travel throughout the body properly. The body relies on this ability to communicate feelings to the brain. You can think of the myelin sheath like an eggshell- when it is damaged, the fragile insides are left vulnerable. This is what your exposed nerve is like, leading to numbness, tingling, pain, or even paralysis when neuropathy occurs. The extent of the damage to the protective shell determines how severe these symptoms are.
In many cases, supplementing with vitamin B-12 can reduce the pain associated with neuropathy. More rarely, it can help repair the myelin sheath, depending on the cause of the neuropathy. However, B-12’s ability to speed up tissue regeneration and improve nerve function can be helpful for some. Rather than relying on B-12 as a neuropathy treatment, many people use it as a preventative measure to avoid damage that may become permanent.
The United Kingdom’s National Health Services (NHS) says that vitamin B12 can cause various issues in the problem. The conditions can develop gradually, but may worsen if not treated on time. Some of the symptoms to keep in mind are as follows:
– Fatigue or extreme tiredness
– Breathlessness
– Headaches and dizziness
– Pale skin
– Heart palpitations
– Gastrointestinal issues
– Difficulty in concentrating
If you need a high quality Vitamin B12 supplement, I would love to help!
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