The water-soluble, or B complex, group of vitamins plays an important role in cellular functions. Because nerves have a high rate of requirements for these nutrients, deficiencies of some of these vitamins are associated with neurologic symptoms. Thiamin, niacin, pyridoxine and cobalamin all can cause damage to peripheral nerves, a syndrome known as peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include numbness, tingling or pain in the area of the nerve.
B-1: Thiamin
Thiamin deficiency is unusual in America. Today, it is primarily seen in chronic alcoholics and occasionally in pregnancy. Thiamine deficiency cases a a syndrome calked beriberi. Beriberi may affect the heart, called "wet" beriberi, or the nervous system, known as "dry" beriberi. Dry beriberi is associated with a peripheral neuropathy that can cause tingling or burning pain that is worse at night. The pain usually occurs in the toes and feet. In addition, dry beriberi can cause a central nervous system disease known as Wernicke Korsakoff syndrome, characterized by loss of memory, confusion and an unsteady gait.
B-3: Niacin
Niacin is found in a variety of vegetables, fish and meats. The deficiency of niacin is termed "pellagra." A common symptom of niacin deficiency is a skin rash, typically around the neck. In the gastrointestinal tract, the deficiency can cause burning from the throat, stomach pain and bloody diarrhea. Some severe deficiencies can also cause dementia. In addition to these symptoms, niacin deficiency may also cause tingling due to peripheral neuropathy.
B-6: Pyridoxine
Because pyridoxine is so abundant in foods, dietary deficiency of this vitamin is rare. Instead, deficiency can occur as a side effect of drugs such as isoniazid, used to treat tuberculosis, and some anticonvulsants. While deficiency of this vitamin can cause numbness or tingling sensations, this is not the most common symptom of a B-6 deficiency. More common symptoms of pyridoxine deficiency are cracked lips and a skin rash. People taking drugs associated with loss of this pyridoxine should ensure they take extra amounts of vitamin B-6 from a supplement.
B-12: Cobalamin
Vitamin B-12 is only found in animal products; vegans are at risk for a deficiency of this vitamin. In addition, deficiency may occur as a result of a stomach condition, known as atrophic gastritis, when the vitamin is not absorbed. Deficiency of vitamin B-12 often leads to anemia before it causes other symptoms. Symptoms of anemia include fatigue and weakness. Vitamin B-12 deficiency causes tingling and loss of sensation in the limbs as it affects the spinal cord. Other symptoms of B-12 deficiency are muscle weakness and rigidity. Unfortunately, the condition does not always reverse completely following treatment.
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