The Dangers B12 Deficiency Poses For Runners

B12 is essential in the production of healthy red blood cells and bone marrow. Our bodies require B12 to sustain a healthy brain and nervous system. B12 helps to produce the myelin sheath around our nerves. In a recent tweet, a runner posted that she was having difficulty sleeping at night. Her foot was experiencing twitches and tingling sensations. One of her big toes was numb and cramping. “She is describing the symptoms I experienced for over a year before I was diagnosed with myelopathy of the spinal cord due to severe B12 deficiency,” says Miriam Diaz-Gilbert who had run nine Marathons and four Ultras before she realized she had a B-12 deficiency. Untreated B12 deficiency can lead to serious health consequences, including paralysis, dementia and psychosis. For some, a daily oral B12 supplement is sufficient treatment. If you are having tingling, numbness and spasms in your limbs and are awakened by painful calf and toe cramps, or if you experience any other symptoms associated with B12 deficiency, get your B12 and MMA levels checked.

posted Wednesday April 4th