Vitamin B12 supports many important processes in the body, from helping produce red blood cells to supporting the nervous system, and therefore, it is natural that its deficiency leads to a series of health problems.
 

Harvard Medical School described vitamin B12 deficiency as "deceptive" and "harmful." This is because the symptoms associated with this condition can appear out of nowhere, with some particularly frightening signs, such as fainting.

Everyone fears the idea of fainting. Any warning signs in the form of dizziness or light-headedness may be the first indication that a fainting episode is about to occur.

But how does vitamin B12 deficiency lead to this frightening sign?

Dr. Ioannis Liakas, Medical Director at Vie Aesthetics, said: "Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause disorders in the nervous and circulatory systems. When you lack vitamin B12, you may develop anemia due to reduced DNA production, causing signs of weakness, fatigue, and dizziness."

He added: "Anemia is the condition where the number of blood cells is less than usual, or you have an abnormally low amount of a substance called hemoglobin in each red blood cell. Fainting episodes can occur due to nerve function loss when there are deficient levels of vitamin B12."

The American Heart Association explains that fainting is also related to blood flow to the brain. The organization states that "insufficient blood flow" to this organ can be a cause of temporary loss of consciousness.

Moreover, research published in the journal Acta Clinica Croatica also links these symptoms to B12 deficiency.

The good news is that all patients suffering from neurological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency were able to recover within one month after taking vitamin supplements.

There are a number of warning signs that should be noted alongside fainting, which may indicate that vitamin B12 deficiency is most likely the actual cause behind the fainting.

Dr. Liakas revealed a list of these signs, which include:

- Fatigue and exhaustion

- Weakness

- Loss of appetite