A recent medical study has noted that there are four signs that appear on the human body indicating whether you suffer from a deficiency in Vitamin B9, one of the eight essential vitamins that the body uses to support everything from DNA to producing red blood cells. This vitamin, also known as folate, plays an important role in several vital bodily functions, including DNA synthesis, amino acid metabolism, and cell division. So, what can happen when your body doesn’t get enough of it?
Fortunately, there are many foods such as meat, eggs, seafood, and dairy products that are high in this vitamin, which naturally produces folic acid, making it relatively easy to incorporate plenty of Vitamin B9 into your diet. The UK's National Health Service highlighted that the first sign is anemia caused by a deficiency in folic acid, which occurs when there is a lack of Vitamin B12 or B9, significantly impacting the body’s ability to produce red blood cells properly, preventing them from functioning correctly.
The second sign is feelings of fatigue and exhaustion. A deficiency in folic acid greatly affects your ability to produce and properly use energy, leading to feelings of weakness and severe fatigue during the day. According to Healthline, fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of a diet low in foods rich in Vitamin B9, as the body becomes unable to produce red blood cells correctly, which can hinder oxygen delivery throughout the body.
The third sign is pale and dull skin, which may appear on many of us after a heavy night. However, a loss of essential folic acid is another potential cause for a dull appearance. Similar to iron deficiency anemia, anemia related to Vitamin B12 can make your skin look pale due to a deficiency of red blood cells.
A 2021 study on folic acid deficiency symptoms found that jaundice is another alarming sign on the skin indicating low Vitamin B9 levels, as the yellowing of the skin occurs due to increased red blood cell breakdown caused by poor red blood cell formation. This makes it the fourth sign.
The fifth sign is that pain in your mouth is another major indicator of folic acid deficiency and can manifest in several ways, such as ulcers or inflammation of the tongue, or a red tongue when the body lacks sufficient Vitamin B9 to repair and synthesize DNA.
It is never advisable to ignore recurring ulcers and sores that do not heal on their own; therefore, it is best to contact your doctor to determine the cause.
