Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms: Best foods to add to your diet | Express.co.uk

Vitamin B12 deficiency: Eat these 10 foods to prevent condition - are you at risk?VITAMIN B12 deficiency symptoms include headaches, extreme tiredness and weight loss. Add these foods to

your diet to prevent the condition - should you be taking vitamin B12 supplements? By Matt Atherton 11:59, Wed, May 23, 2018 | UPDATED: 12:13, Wed, May 23, 2018 Share Article Share Article

Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Comments SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You

can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Vitamin B12 is used by the body to help make red blood cells and keep the nervous system healthy, according to the NHS.

The vitamin is also used to release energy from food, and to lower the risk of central neural tube defects.

You could be at risk of a vitamin B12 deficiency if you don’t get enough of the vitamin in your diet.

Symptoms include feeling faint, difficulty breathing and lethargy.

You could lower your risk of the condition by eating more of these five foods.

Related articles Vitamin B12 warning - these are the signs you may be deficient Vitamin B12 deficiency: Are you making this cooking mistake? Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms: Best foods to

add to your diet

Vitamin B12 is only found in animal foods and fortified foods, according to the Dieticians of Canada.

“The best sources of Vitamin B12 include eggs, milk, cheese, milk products, meat, fish, shellfish and poultry,” it said.

“Some soy and rice beverages as well as soy based meat substitutes are fortified with vitamin B12.”

Cooked lamb has one of the highest portions of vitamin B12 per serving.

Turkey and beef are other great sources of the vitamin.

GETTY Images

Vegetarians or vegans should add meat alternatives to their diet, it said.

Soy products that are fortified with vitamin B12 could help to prevent a deficiency.

All adults should aim to eat at least 2.4mcg of the vitamin every day.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should add a little more vitamin B12 to their diet.

About 20 per cent of older people struggle to absorb vitamin B12.

GETTY Images

People over 50 should consider taking a vitamin B12 supplement, said the Dieticians of Canada.

You could be at risk of a vitamin B12 deficiency if you’ve had surgery to remove your stomach, or the end of the small intestine.

Crohn’s disease or atrophic gastritis patients are also more likely to develop a deficiency.

You should see a GP if you’re experiencing symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency.

If left untreated, the condition can lead to irreversible damage.