Medicine

Vitamin B12 deficiency can be identified by a change in hair color

hair
With a deficiency of vitamin B12, a person can experience a number of health problems. This is easy to see in the condition of the hair.

Vitamin B12 is an important substance that the body absorbs when eating certain foods. Its main function is to keep the body's nerve and blood cells healthy and help create DNA, the genetic material in all cells.

However, in some people, for various reasons, the intake of vitamin B12 from food is difficult, that is, it may not be absorbed.

According to experts, vitamin B12 deficiency is one of the most common causes of premature gray hair. This condition is often accompanied by folic acid and biotin deficiencies in people whose hair started turning gray early. Of course, if we are not talking about genetics – in some families, people turn gray before reaching 30 years old.

You can make sure you're getting enough B12 by eating foods such as meat, organ meats, dairy products, seafood.

— Medically speaking, gray hair could potentially be associated with a vitamin B12 deficiency. People who do not eat meat or fish can get vitamin B12 by eating foods fortified with this nutrient or by taking vitamin B12 supplements.

Vitamin B12 also affects the scalp. Its deficiency leads to dryness, brittleness and thinning of hair and slowing down their growth. It is also involved in the process of cell respiration, helps to provide oxygen to all tissues. A fresh complexion directly depends on this.

How to understand that the body lacks vitamin B12? Symptoms:

  • numbness in arms or legs,
  • problems with walking and balance,
  • anemia, < /li>
  • fatigue,
  • swollen, inflamed tongue,
  • memory loss,
  • paranoia,
  • hallucinations.
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Other possible factors for premature graying:

  • Age over 30
  • Genetics
  • Stress
  • Micronutrient deficiencies
  • Diseases
  • Vitiligo
  • Certain medications
  • Smoking

Read also: Millions of people are at risk of developing diabetes if they catch a common viral infection.

Vitamin B12 deficiency: low levels can be seen in your hair

Read next: Five tell-tale signs of diabetes that appear in the morning.

How to determine the deficiency of vitamin D in the body

You can also read: What to do if the doctor has diagnosed “suspected cancer”: an algorithm of actions.

Important! Information provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, consult a doctor.