Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B12
For the health condition: Numbness

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Vitamin B12 is scientifically validated for use in treating numbness, particularly when the symptom is due to vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system and the formation of myelin, the protective sheath that surrounds nerves. Deficiency in B12 can lead to peripheral neuropathy, which commonly presents as numbness, tingling, or "pins and needles" sensations, especially in the hands and feet.

Numerous clinical studies and case reports have established that B12 supplementation can reverse or improve neurological symptoms, including numbness, in individuals with confirmed deficiency. For example, a review published in Neurology underscores that early detection and treatment of B12 deficiency with supplementation can prevent permanent nerve damage and alleviate sensory disturbances.

The evidence is particularly strong in populations at risk for deficiency, such as older adults, individuals with malabsorption syndromes (e.g., pernicious anemia or gastrointestinal surgery patients), and strict vegetarians or vegans. In these groups, B12 supplementation is both a preventive and therapeutic intervention. However, for numbness not caused by B12 deficiency, supplementation shows no clear benefit. Thus, while B12 is not a general remedy for numbness of all causes, its use is well-supported in the context of deficiency-related neuropathy.

More about vitamin B12
More about Numbness