Symptoms of Vitamin B Deficiency (original) (raw)

Symptoms of vitamin B deficiency may vary depending on which B vitamin you’re deficient in. You may experience fatigue, skin rash, or confusion.

B vitamins are a group of eight nutrients important for maintaining cell health and keeping you energized.

Some foods are high in several B vitamins, and certain foods are particularly high in specific B vitamins. Eating a well-balanced is key to getting all the nutrients your body needs.

Keep reading to learn more about the most common types of vitamin B, their deficiency symptoms, and which foods contain them.

Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, helps the body turn food into energy. It can also help the body fight infections by supporting the immune system.

Vitamin B6 deficiency is not common in the United States, but symptoms may include:

People who are pregnant and nursing need vitamin B6 to help their babies’ brains develop normally.

Which foods contain vitamin B6?

These vitamins help convert food into energy. Vitamin B1 has neurological benefits, and vitamin B2 helps support cell growth, development, and function.

Vitamin B1 deficiency is rare, and vitamin B2 deficiency is very rare, in the United States. This is because many foods, such as milk and whole grain cereals, are fortified with these vitamins.

However, people who drink high amounts of alcohol have a higher risk of developing B1 or B2 vitamin deficiencies. This may cause symptoms like confusion and cracks along the sides of the mouth.

Which foods contain vitamins B1 and B2?

Most people get their B1 and B2 vitamins from fortified breakfast cereals and whole grains.

Sources of vitamin B1 include:

Sources of vitamin B2 include:

Vitamin B3, also called niacin, helps convert food into energy. It also helps regulate digestion and appetite and is important for cell development.

Vitamin B3 deficiency is very rare in the United States. Symptoms may include digestive issues, such as nausea and abdominal cramps. Severe deficiency may also cause mental confusion.

Severe deficiency can result in a condition called pellagra, with symptoms such as:

Which foods contain vitamin B3?

Vitamin B9, also called folate, occurs naturally in foods. Folic acid is the synthetic form, often found in fortified, processed foods.

Vitamin B9 deficiency is rare in the United States and has decreased since 1998. This is when the Food and Drug Administration made it a requirement that food companies add folic acid to enriched grain foods, such as:

Most people in the United States eat these foods.

Low levels of vitamin B9 can result in the following symptoms:

Pregnant people with a folate deficiency have a higher risk of their child being born with neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.

However, animal studies have found that too much supplemental folic acid during pregnancy may also lead to offspring developing neurological problems.

Which foods contain vitamin B9?

The best way to prevent a deficiency in B vitamins is to eat a well-balanced diet, including:

If you suspect you may have a vitamin B deficiency, speak with a healthcare professional. They might perform a physical exam and order blood tests to provide a diagnosis.

In some cases, they may recommend taking vitamin B supplements. The risk of side effects is lower than other nutrients because B vitamins are water-soluble, but they’re still possible.

What happens when your vitamin B is low?

Symptoms common to all vitamin B deficiencies may include fatigue, nausea, muscle weakness, and skin changes. Vitamin B12 and B9 deficiencies may lead to anemia since they’re essential in red blood cell production.

What does B12 deficiency feel like?

Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause tiredness, headaches, irritability, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and numbness, tingling, and weakness.

How do you fix vitamin B12 deficiency?

Eating a well-balanced diet could help increase your levels of vitamin B12. This may include eating meat, dairy products, eggs, and fortified foods. Vitamin B12 supplements may also help.

There are eight types of vitamin B, each with a unique function in the body. Deficiencies in each vitamin may cause different symptoms.

Most people can get all the nutrients they need, including B vitamins, by eating a varied diet of lean proteins, grains, fruits, and vegetables.