How Do B12 Levels Affect Pain In Knee Joints?
I asked Google AI, the title of this post and received this answer.
Low Vitamin B12 levels can cause or worsen knee joint pain primarily through nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), which causes sensations of pain, tingling, or numbness in the legs. Deficiency also increases homocysteine, a pro-inflammatory amino acid linked to joint inflammation and, in some cases, accelerated cartilage deterioration.
Key Connections Between B12 and Knee Pain:
Neuropathic Pain: A lack of B12 damages the myelin sheath protecting nerves, leading to pain, pins and needles, or burning sensations often felt in the extremities, including the knees.
Inflammation and Joint Damage: Low B12 levels are associated with higher homocysteine levels, which can cause inflammation, swelling, and increased friction in the joints.
Deficiency Symptoms: Along with joint pain, B12 deficiency commonly causes fatigue, muscle weakness, and numbness.
Improvement with Supplementation: Studies suggest that maintaining adequate B12 levels, or using supplements, can reduce joint pain and improve mobility.
If you are experiencing persistent joint pain or numbness, it is advisable to have your B12 levels checked.
From my own experience, I would also get tested for coeliac disease.
Does Being Widowed Lower Your B12?
I asked Google AI, the title of this post and received this answer.
Widowhood does not directly cause a biological decrease in B12, but it is often associated with lifestyle changes and stressors—such as depression, loss of appetite, and reduced nutritional intake—that can lead to a lower intake of Vitamin B12.
Key points regarding the connection:
Nutritional Risk: Research suggests that older adults who are widowed or depressed may have lower intakes of various nutrients, including Vitamin B12.
Depression Link: Depression, which is common in bereavement, is significantly associated with lower plasma levels of vitamin B12.
“Undernourishment” Factor: Studies indicate that widowed individuals are frequently represented in groups at high risk for undernutrition, which can contribute to nutrient deficiencies.
Lifestyle Changes: The transition to widowhood often involves a loss of partner support, leading to poorer nutritional habits and neglect of self-care.
While being widowed is not a direct metabolic cause, it is a significant risk factor for conditions that lead to B12 deficiency in older adults.
I certainly, eat less Vitamin B12, than before my wife died, as when we had a meal in a certain pub in Suffolk or Carluccio’s, I always had calves liver or fegato.
If You Lack Vitamin B12 Is It Sensible To Limit Alcohol?
I asked Google AI, the title of this post and received this answer.
Damages Absorption: Alcohol irritates the lining of the stomach and intestines, which hinders the digestive system’s ability to absorb Vitamin B12 from food or supplements.
Reduces Storage: B12 is stored in the liver. Chronic alcohol use can cause liver damage and inflammation, reducing the liver’s ability to store and release B12 when needed.
Impairs Function: Even moderate amounts of alcohol (one or two drinks a day) can interfere with B vitamin levels.
Increases Deficiency Risk: Research indicates that B12 deficiency is common in individuals who consume high amounts of alcohol.
Severe Symptoms: Increased fatigue, neurological issues (numbness, tingling), and cognitive problems.
Irreversible Damage: Long-term, unaddressed deficiency can lead to permanent nerve damage or severe anemia.
Recommended Steps:
Limit or Stop Alcohol: Drastically reducing alcohol intake allows the digestive system to recover and improves absorption.
Supplementation: If you are treating a deficiency, your doctor may recommend B12 supplements (pills, nasal sprays, or injections).
Dietary Changes: Increase consumption of B12-rich foods like red meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy, or eat fortified foods.
Does Lack Of B12 Cause Scurf In Your Hair?
I asked Google AI this question and received this answer.
Yes, a deficiency in Vitamin B12 can contribute to poor scalp and hair health, which may manifest as scurf (dandruff/dry skin flakes) or dry, brittle hair.
While B12 is best known for its role in preventing hair loss and thinning, it plays a critical role in maintaining scalp moisture and health.
Here is how a lack of B12 can affect your hair and scalp:
Dryness and Flaking (Scurf): A deficiency can cause your hair and scalp to become dry, brittle, and flaky.
Hair Shedding: A lack of B12 can cause diffuse hair shedding or thinning, particularly because hair follicles are starved of nutrients when red blood cell production is impaired.
Premature Graying: Low B12 levels are also linked to premature whitening or graying of hair
I’ve certainly suffered from scurf at periods in my life.
Does Lack Of B12 Make You Sneeze?
I asked Google AI this question and received this answer.
Based on available research, a lack of vitamin B12 is not typically a direct cause of sneezing. However, B12 deficiency can cause symptoms that mimic allergies, such as a runny nose, nasal congestion, and increased sensitivity to histamine, which might lead to symptoms like sneezing in some individuals.
Key Findings on B12 and Respiratory/Allergy-like Symptoms:
Histamine Increase: When B12 is deficient, the body’s methylation process slows down, leading to higher histamine concentrations in the blood. This can result in allergy-like symptoms, including a runny nose, itchy eyes, and itchy skin, even without traditional allergens.
Chronic Cough: B12 deficiency has been linked to chronic, unexplained coughs due to increased Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) levels, which can cause sensory neuropathy in the airways.
Other Symptoms: A lack of B12 is more commonly associated with extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, pale skin, tingling (pins and needles), and cognitive issues.
While a runny nose or increased sensitivity is possible, sneezing is not a hallmark symptom of B12 deficiency. If you are experiencing persistent sneezing along with fatigue or tingling, it is best to consult a healthcare professional.
Memories Of An Unhealthy Childhood
I was a very unhealthy child and my father used to joke about me as hacking Schmidt, whoever he was, because I coughed a lot?
But I can remember the following.
- Always seeing our GP ; Dr. Egerton White; both at his surgery and at our house.
- Being given lots of various medicines; Including penicillin.
- Catching scarlet fever.
- Missing large amounts of school due to illness.
Unfortunately, my early medical notes have got lost.
Was “Hacking Schmidt” A Pun On George Hackenschmidt?
These are the first two paragraphs of George Hackenschmidt’s Wikipedia entry.
George Hackenschmidt, was an Estonian strongman, amateur and professional wrestler, writer, and sports philosopher. He is recognized as professional wrestling’s first world heavyweight champion.
Hackenschmidt was the only professional wrestling champion who is not known to have taken part in fixed matches, which were pervasive even in his day.
My father was very much a punsmith and his punning nickname for me, could have come from someone, who was very much famous, when he was growing up.
Does Low B12 Make Your Hand Curl?
I asked Google AI the question in the title of this post and received this answer.
While “curling” is not a standard medical term for a B12 symptom, a severe deficiency can cause several neurological issues that may make your hand feel like it is curling, locking, or losing control.
Vitamin B12 is essential for maintaining the myelin sheath that protects your nerves. When this sheath is damaged, it can lead to various hand-related symptoms:“Locking” or Stiffness: Some patients report a “feeling like locking of fingers” or significant clumsiness.
Useless Hand Syndrome: A rare but documented manifestation where a person has extreme difficulty performing fine movements with their hands, often due to spinal cord involvement from the deficiency.
Muscle Spasms and Cramps:
Low B12 can cause muscle cramps and involuntary movements that might cause the hand or fingers to contract or “curl”.
Paresthesia: The most common early sign is “pins and needles” or tingling in the hands, which can progress to numbness and a loss of coordination.
Muscle Weakness: General weakness in the limbs can make it difficult to hold objects, leading to a perceived loss of hand function.
Are We Not Getting Enough B12 In The UK?
I asked Google AI this question and received this answer.
While most people in the UK who consume a balanced diet containing meat, fish, and dairy get enough vitamin B12, a significant minority—estimated at around 6% of adults under 60 and up to 20% of those over 60—are estimated to be deficient or have low levels. The prevalence of deficiency increases with age, with up to 1 in 10 people over the age of 75 affected.
Here is a breakdown of the situation regarding B12 in the UK:
Who is Most at Risk?
Older Adults: The highest risk group is people over 60, due to reduced stomach acid leading to food-bound vitamin B12 malabsorption.
Vegans and Vegetarians: Because B12 is found naturally in animal-derived foods, those on plant-based diets are at higher risk if they do not
consume fortified foods (such as plant-based milks, nutritional yeast, or breakfast cereals) or take supplements.
People with Absorption Issues: The most common cause of severe deficiency in the UK is pernicious anaemia, an autoimmune condition that stops the body from absorbing B12, rather than a lack of dietary intake.
Individuals on Long-Term Medication: Certain drugs, including Metformin (for diabetes) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs for acid reflux), can impair B12 absorption.
Is the UK Recommendation Too Low?
The UK government recommends an intake of 1.5 micrograms (μg) a day for adults. However, some experts argue this is too low, noting that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) suggests 4 μg/day, and that 4 to 20 μg/day might be more appropriate to prevent deficiency.Symptoms of Deficiency
If you are not getting enough B12, you may experience:
- Extreme tiredness or fatigue
- Pins and needles (paraesthesia)
- Muscle weakness
- Cognitive changes, such as problems with memory or understanding
- A sore, red tongue
Recommendations
Dietary Sources: Eggs, meat, fish, shellfish, and dairy products are excellent sources.
Fortified Foods & Supplements:
Vegans are advised to eat foods fortified with B12 daily or take a supplement (such as 10-50 micrograms daily)
- Check with a GP: If you suspect a deficiency, a blood test is required, particularly if you are vegan, older, or have digestive issues, as long-term deficiency can cause irreversible damage.
Does Lack Of B12 Degrade Your Eyesight?
I asked this question of Google AI and received this answer.
Yes, a lack of vitamin B12 can degrade your eyesight, typically by causing a condition known as nutritional optic neuropathy. This occurs because B12 is essential for maintaining a healthy nervous system, and a deficiency can damage the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the eye to the brain.
Here is how a B12 deficiency can impact your eyes and vision:
Optic Neuropathy: A, often painless, progressive, bilateral, and symmetrical reduction in visual acuity.
It often results in blurred or disturbed vision, central or cecocentral scotomas (blind spots), and reduced color vision.
Vision Loss: Severe, long-term B12 deficiency can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.
Retinal Damage: B12 deficiency can cause retinal hemorrhages (bleeding in the retina), known as Roth’s spots.
Eye Movements: In rare cases, it can cause involuntary eye movements (nystagmus) or uncontrollable eye twitching.
Dry Eye Disease: Some evidence suggests B12 deficiency can cause severe dry eye issues and pain.
Reversibility
Vision problems caused by B12 deficiency are often reversible with prompt treatment.
However, if the damage is allowed to become chronic, the vision impairment can be permanent.
Risk Groups
Those at higher risk of B12 deficiency leading to vision issues include:
- Strict vegetarians and vegans.
- Older adults (60+).
- Individuals with pernicious anemia.
- People with gastrointestinal conditions (Crohn’s disease, celiac disease) or who have had weight-loss surgery.
I am in two of these groups, as I’m 78 and coeliac.
My First Eye Test
This was performed in about 1993, by a friend’s father, who was a retired Senior Eye Surgeon from Heath Road Hospital in Ipswich.
At the time, I wasn’t coeliac.
He said, that I’d got the driest eyes he’d ever seen. I actually told my last GP, so it may be in my notes.
Misearable Weather And My Eye Sight
In January, I wrote this post called Does Miserable Weather Deplete Your B12?
Is this why my eyes and especially my left eye, have been bad ladely?
Is Smoked Salmon Good For Uncomplicated Pancolonic Diverticular Disease?
For lunch today, I made myself a sandwich with a 100 gram pack of Mark’s and Spencer’s smoked salmon.
Out of curiosity, I asked Google AI. “Is there any B12 in smoked salmon” and received this reply.
Yes, smoked salmon is an excellent source of vitamin B12. A 100-gram (3.5-ounce) serving provides over 100% of the daily recommended value, with some studies showing as much as 136% (roughly 3.3µg) of the daily intake. It is considered a rich source of B12 along with other nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and vitamin D.
Key details regarding B12 in smoked salmon include:
High Concentration: A 3-ounce serving provides approximately 2.8 micrograms of vitamin B12.
Daily Needs: Consuming 100g of smoked salmon can fulfill 136% of the daily requirement for vitamin B12.
It looks like a pack of smoked salmon can provide my daily needs of B12.
I followed up, by asking Google AI, the question in the title of this post.
This was the answer that I received.
Smoked salmon can be a suitable protein choice for managing uncomplicated diverticular disease, particularly during periods when a low-fiber or moderate-fiber diet is recommended to manage symptoms. It is generally considered a lean, high-quality protein source.
However, the suitability of smoked salmon depends on the status of your condition:
During a Symptom-Free Period (General Diverticulosis):A healthy, balanced, high-fiber diet is recommended, and fish like salmon is a good choice.
During a Symptom Flare (Uncomplicated Diverticulitis):
A low-fiber, low-residue diet is typically recommended to allow the colon to rest.
Smoked salmon is generally acceptable as a soft, easy-to-digest protein source in this phase.
Important Considerations:
Smoked salmon is a processed meat (smoked/cured), and some guidelines advise limiting processed meats as they may contribute to inflammation,
or at least suggesting they should not be consumed frequently compared to fresh, white fish
Key Recommendations:
Include in a balanced diet:
It can be part of a healthy diet, for example, with low-FODMAP foods.
Watch for Sodium:
Smoked salmon can be high in salt, so moderate consumption is advised.
Focus on Lifestyle:Overall, a high-fiber diet (when not in a flare), plenty of water, and avoiding smoking are the best ways to manage diverticular disease.
It looks from this, that smoked salmon in moderation should be OK.
Are There Some People Who Lose Their B12 Very Quickly?
Many years ago in Suffolk, I was sure, that my three-monthly B12-injection wasn’t done correctly.
It was by a trainee, so I told my GP and she may have repeated the injection. Perhaps the trainee missed the muscle or something?
I’m not sure, but I may have had a repeat injection.
I had another B12 injection about ten days ago and twice in the last two days, I have had symptoms that could be low B12 levels.
Yesterday at one point, I thought I was having a stroke, but a hot bath seemed to improve things.
I then found a Marks & Spencer Liver & Bacon meal-for-one and cooked it, but just eating the Liver & bacon.
I seemed to do the trick.
Today, coming home with shopping, my left leg was painful and so I asked Dr. Google AI for some advice.
I asked if “If low B12 is connected to red feet” and received this answer.
Low vitamin B12 is strongly connected to foot issues, primarily causing peripheral neuropathy that manifests as burning sensations, numbness, tingling (“pins and needles”), and sometimes, color changes like redness, purple, or white due to reduced blood flow or nerve damage. It causes nerve damage, which can lead to painful or “burning” feet.
Key Connections Between B12 Deficiency and Foot Symptoms:
Peripheral Neuropathy: A, the lack of B12 damages the myelin sheath covering nerves, resulting in burning, numbness, or tingling in the feet.
Reduced Blood Flow/Color Changes: Deficiency can lead to, significantly colder feet that may appear red, white, or purple due to impaired circulation.
Painful Sensations: Often described as a burning feeling, which can make feet feel hot or tender.
Muscle Issues: Weakness, cramping, and poor coordination can affect mobility.
Note:
- I certainly had pins and needles in my hands, yesterday.
It certainly, looked to me that I might have had low B12.
The Anonymous Widower 