Vitamin B12 deficiency: This deficiency sign in your mouth is called lingual paresthesia

Nutrients play an important role in maintaining our overall health. While there is no specific way to tell whether or not we're including enough of each vitamin and mineral in our diet, our body has its own way of informing us about any insufficiency or deficiency of nutrients.

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that helps form red blood cells and DNA in our body. It supports our nervous system and also boosts our brain health, which is why it is extremely crucial to stack up on our B12 vitamins.

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As discussed, vitamin B12 is responsible for many functions in our body. For instance, it helps in the formation of red blood cells. Without enough red blood cells, our body's tissues and organs do not get enough oxygen. This in turn results in weak muscles, numbness, trouble walking, nausea, weight loss, irritability, fatigue, and increased heart rate.

Furthermore, low levels of vitamin B12 also affects our nerve and brain health, leading to neurological symptoms that include vision problems, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, difficulty in remembering things or focusing and more. One may even feel depressed, irritated and experience changes in mood and behaviour.

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An unusual sign of vitamin B12 may show up in the mouth, what medical experts call as 'lingual paresthesia'. The oral condition is characterized by an unpleasant sensation or tingling or pricking or a feeling of swelling or burning on the tongue. This is also sometimes identified as glossitis, a condition associated with inflamed and swollen tongue.

However it is important to note that not all cases of glossitis or lingual paresthesia are caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. Some can be traced back to an infection or allergy.

According to a case report published in The Canadian Medical Association Journal, a 61-year-old woman experienced persistent burning sensation in her tongue, which was identified as lingual paraesthesia.

The symptoms that had no association with new foods or oral hygiene products, were present for six months.

The team of medical experts examined the old woman and later came to the conclusion that she was suffering from vitamin B12 deficiency.

They administered an injection of vitamin B12, which resulted in “complete resolution” of her symptoms.

Following the treatment, her tongue problems got resolved in just after three days.

The researchers said that glossitis tends to crop up in up to 25 percent of patients with the deficiency.

The UK National Health Services (NHS) advises people who experience symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency to get themselves checked and examined by a doctor.

“It's important for vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible," the health body suggests.

"Although many of the symptoms improve with treatment, some problems caused by the condition can be irreversible if left untreated.

"The longer the condition goes untreated, the higher the chance of permanent damage," it adds.

Given that vitamin B12 isn't produced naturally in the body, we must eat foods that are rich in nutrients. Some of the best sources of vitamin B12 therefore are:

- Milk

- Eggs

- Yogurt

- Fatty fishes

- Red meat

- Clams

- Fortified cereal