Vitamin B12 deficiency has emerged as a widespread yet largely underdiagnosed public health concern in India, affecting an estimated 40–50 per cent of the population, according to recent studies and expert assessments. The condition impacts people across age groups, with vegetarians, older adults, pregnant women, people with diabetes, and urban working professionals among the most vulnerable.
Despite its serious long-term effects on neurological, cognitive, and physical health, symptoms such as chronic fatigue, tingling or numbness in the limbs, mood changes, and poor concentration are often dismissed as stress, ageing, or lifestyle-related problems.
Health experts and public health commentators warn that the issue goes beyond poor dietary intake alone, pointing to absorption problems, medication use, and lack of routine screening as key contributors. Officials and clinicians are now calling for greater awareness, early testing, and policy-level interventions to prevent irreversible damage and reduce the silent burden of deficiency-related illness.
A Silent Crisis with Serious Health Implications
Medical professionals across India are raising concerns that Vitamin B12 deficiency has reached alarming levels, yet remains largely invisible in routine healthcare conversations. Several recent surveys and hospital-based studies suggest that nearly one in two Indians may have low or deficient Vitamin B12 levels, with particularly high prevalence among people following vegetarian diets, which naturally lack adequate sources of the vitamin.
A senior neurologist quoted in recent reports noted that B12 deficiency is increasingly being detected in patients presenting with unexplained nerve pain, memory problems, depression-like symptoms, and even balance issues.
“Many patients come to us after months or even years of discomfort, assuming their symptoms are due to stress or work pressure,” the expert said, adding that delayed diagnosis can result in permanent nerve damage if left untreated.
Public health officials have also acknowledged that Vitamin B12 testing is not routinely included in standard health check-ups, even though supplementation is relatively inexpensive and effective when initiated early.
Corporate health screenings and urban lifestyle surveys have further revealed worrying trends, with more than half of male professionals in some studies showing suboptimal B12 levels, highlighting that the issue is not confined to traditionally vulnerable groups alone.
Beyond Diet: Structural Gaps in Awareness and Care
While Vitamin B12 deficiency is often framed as a dietary concern particularly in a country with a large vegetarian population experts stress that this explanation is incomplete.
Gastrointestinal disorders, long-term use of acid-suppressing medications, diabetes drugs such as metformin, intestinal infections, and age-related absorption decline all play a significant role in reducing B12 levels. Health researchers point out that many Indians consume diets that appear nutritionally adequate but still fail to meet physiological needs due to poor absorption and lack of fortified foods.
Adding to the challenge is limited public awareness. Unlike anaemia or iodine deficiency, Vitamin B12 deficiency has not been the focus of sustained public health campaigns. Some health commentators have argued that India needs a large-scale awareness drive similar to those for polio or tuberculosis to address micronutrient deficiencies that silently undermine productivity, mental health, and overall well-being.
Officials associated with nutrition and public health bodies have also noted that the absence of clear national guidelines on routine screening contributes to missed diagnoses, especially among women, the elderly, and low-income populations who may not seek specialised care until symptoms become severe.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we view the growing prevalence of Vitamin B12 deficiency as a reminder that public health is not only about treating visible illness but also about recognising and responding to silent suffering.
When millions live with chronic fatigue, cognitive fog, or nerve pain that is brushed aside as stress or ageing, it reflects deeper gaps in awareness, empathy, and preventive care. Addressing this issue requires more than supplements it calls for compassionate healthcare systems, informed public dialogue, and inclusive policies that acknowledge India’s diverse dietary practices and health realities.
