14. Vitamin Insufficiency
Multiple studies have linked vitamin B12 deficiency to a form of peripheral neuropathy known as vitamin B12 deficiency neuropathy. Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient whose deficiency has been linked to a variety of harmful conditions, including neurological disorders. According to statistics, the United States has the highest number of patients with vitamin B12 deficiency. The deficiency is particularly prevalent among individuals over the age of 80. There are a number of well-established causes of vitamin B12 deficiency, with strict vegetarianism at the top of the list.
Animal-based diets, including red meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products, are the only established sources of vitamin B12. Due to the incapacity of stomach acids to facilitate vitamin B12 absorption in the body, it is possible for a patient to have a normal vitamin B12 intake from the aforementioned sources and still suffer from a deficiency. Even a modest B12 deficiency can result in significant nerve damage and neuropathy.
