While proper nutrition helps to ensure that your body functions at its best, inadequate intake of essential vitamins often results in painful or troublesome symptoms. Fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, pronounced bruising and mouth sores, for example, may indicate that your diet lacks one or more of the nutrients your body needs. A sore tongue can also be a sign of specific vitamin deficiencies, as well. See your doctor for diagnosis and treatment recommendations if you show signs of a vitamin deficiency.
Vitamin B-12
A vitamin B-12 deficiency manifests in symptoms such as fatigue, decreased appetite and a sore mouth or tongue, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Vegetarians, older adults and individuals with low levels of stomach acid are at higher risk of a vitamin B-12 deficiency, primarily due to dietary choices or problems absorbing the nutrient. Good sources of vitamin B-12 include fish, beef, milk and fortified cereals. If you follow a plant-based diet, ask your doctor if a vitamin B-12 supplement is right for you.
Other B Vitamins
Besides vitamin B-12, deficiencies of other B vitamins -- namely riboflavin, vitamin B-6, folic acid and niacin -- may cause a sore tongue. Typically occurring with deficiencies of other water-soluble vitamins, low riboflavin levels can cause your tongue to be red and sore. A vitamin B-6 deficiency may show symptoms such as anemia, dermatitis and glossitis, or a sore tongue. In addition to glossitis, a folic acid or niacin deficiency may cause diarrhea, dementia or forgetfulness, headaches and fatigue.
Iron
Low iron levels may lead to iron deficiency anemia, the symptoms of which may include compromised immunity, fluctuations in body temperature, fatigue and an inflamed tongue. Those with gastrointestinal disorders such as celiac disease or Crohn's disease, as well as pregnant women and women of childbearing age, are more susceptible to low iron levels. Not all dietary iron contributes to your need for this nutrient. Iron from animal sources absorbs at a higher rate than plant-based iron. In a healthy person, the body absorbs about 15 to 35 percent of the iron from meat, poultry and fish. In contrast, iron from plant sources such as legumes absorbs at a lesser rate of 2 to 20 percent. Pairing foods rich in vitamin C with plant sources of iron enhances iron absorption.
Considerations
Although a sore, red or inflamed tongue may be a sign of a vitamin deficiency, other conditions or circumstances may be the culprit. For example, glossitis can result from an allergic reaction, bacterial or viral infections, certain skin conditions, oral yeast infection or irritants such as spices, tobacco or alcohol, according to MedlinePlus. Visit your doctor to determine if your sore tongue is a result of a vitamin deficiency or another condition, as well as for advice about appropriate types and amounts of dietary supplements, if needed.
References
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B-12
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University: Riboflavin
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B-6
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Folate
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University: Niacin
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Iron
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