B12 deficiency strikes all ages, races, economic classes, and both sexes, warned Pharmacy Times.
The health site added: “It is arguably the most common nutritional deficiency causing injury in the Western world.
“Early diagnosis and treatment is critical to prevent neurologic injury, disability, poor outcomes, and premature death.
“B12 deficiency causes demyelinating nervous system disease, dementia, psychiatric illness, anaemia, vascular occlusions, fall-related trauma, suppressed immune system, and bone marrow failure.
“Untreated B12 deficiency can cause vascular disease, including stroke, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis, because this deficiency causes hyperhomocystinemia.
“The short- and long-term ramifications are enormous.”