Numbness and tingling sensations can be due to reasons other than neurological issues. One of those can be nutritional deficiency - i.e. deficiency of Vitamin B 12. This deficiency is found in approximately 6% of those having age of 60 years or more with the prevalence of deficiency increasing with age. However, in developing countries like Asian countries - India, deficiency remains more common in people in their early lives which persist through their life span and this is due to the following reasons:
(i) As we age, our capacity to absorb vitamin b12 is reduced.
(ii) Those who take antacids have usual deficiency of vitamin B 12 as it is absorbed in acid environment. If we take antacids or create alkaline environment vitamin b 12 is not absorbed
(iii) Those who are pure vegetarian have also deficiency of this vitamin b12, because plant based foods do not have sufficient vitamin b12.
What is daily requirement of Vitamin B 12?
Our daily requirement for Vitamin b12 is 1.25 mcg per day. Recommended dietary allowances of vitamin b12 are 2.4 mcg for older children and adults, 2.6 mcg for pregnant women, 2.8 mcg for breastfeeding women.
How can we fulfil this need of vitamin b12?
(i) Vitamin b12 is found in Animal foods - meat, milk and all milk products. Those who are pure vegetarian can rely on milk foods.
(ii) Vegetarian can also rely on other sources - sprouts of moong, peas
(iii) Yeast fermented foods
(iv) Vitamin B 12 supplements (it is better to consult your physician for better selection of brands of vitamin supplements, else it is better to rely on organic foods for vitamin and mineral fulfillments).
(v) Wheat grass juice also has vitamin b12
Source:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19116323
