Should You Be Worried about Low B12 Levels?

Most people who are young and healthy think that a B12 deficiency is something that they should not be concerned with.  After all, most people think that this is something that only really old people have to worry about.  In truth, that is not the case.  Many people have low B12 levels and are completely unaware that it is impacting them.  While b12 deficiency symptoms are generally thought of in terms of severe neurological issues, recent studies indicate that the minor signs and symptoms brought on by moderately low levels of B12 are something to be concerned with.  The reason is that even slightly low levels – which would have previously been thought of as normal levels – greatly increase your risk of developing heart disease, cancer and stroke.
Although you may not believe that there is much to worry about, the truth is that far more people should be concerned.  A Tufts University study looked at a large number of people between the ages of 26 and 83.  Although only 9% of them actually had a B12 deficiency, 65% of the studies participants have B12 levels that were low enough to begin to cause neurological issues and increase chances of developing chronic diseases.  One of the most shocking things that the researchers found was that younger people were just as likely to develop low levels of B12.
The reason that you should be concerned with moderately low levels of B12 is because as your levels of the vitamin decrease, the levels of homocysteine in your body go up.  Homocysteine is an amino acid that is a natural byproduct of your body’s functioning.  However, at very high levels it can cause many serious diseases such as heart disease, strokes and Alzheimer’s.
Taking regular B12 shots is generally good advice for those that believe that they are at high risk of developing a B12 deficiency.  Oral supplementation can also be useful, but only if you do not have issues with the absorption of B12.