The Common Vitamin Deficiency in Numb Hands and Pins and Needles

One of the biggest causes of numb hands and feet has to do with a certain vitamin deficiency.

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0:00 Introduction: A hidden cause of numb hands and feet
0:23 Myelin explained
1:38 What causes numb hands and feet?
2:18 Vitamin B12 deficiency
2:55 Other vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms
3:52 Vitamin B12 deficiency causes
8:35 Remedies for numb hands and feet
9:50 Learn more about the common genetic problem that may be involved in numb hands!

Today I’m going to share one of the most ignored causes of numb hands and feet or a pins and needles sensation in the hands and feet.

Myelin is the coating around the nervous system, and it allows nerve impulses to travel. Without enough myelin, you may experience paresthesia or abnormal sensations.

One cause of numb hands and feet is diabetes. A thiamine deficiency may also be involved because it’s needed to make myelin. Taking fat-soluble thiamine (benfotiamine) and changing your diet may help improve this situation.

Another big cause of numbness in the hands is a vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency is very common.

The loss of myelin commonly occurs in the cervical spine (neck), and the degeneration can lead to various problems throughout the body.

Other symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency:
• An imbalance in your gait
• Urinary retention or bladder problems
• Problems in the feet
• Shooting pain in the spine when moving your head down
• Neck stiffness

One of the biggest causes of a vitamin B12 deficiency is a loss of stomach acid, which can happen with age. Without enough stomach acid, you can’t absorb vitamin B12. Betaine hydrochloride can help acidify the stomach and increase B12 absorption.

Other causes of low vitamin B12:
• A lack of vitamin B12 in the diet
• Antacids
• Metformin
• A certain genetic weakness
• Inflammation in the stomach or intestines
• Gastric bypass surgery

You may need to go beyond consuming foods rich in vitamin B12 and take it as a supplement. In my opinion, the best supplement would be methylcobalamin.

If you have a genetic issue, you may need a supplement that contains methylcobalamin, methylfolate, and vitamin B6.

Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, age 57, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

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Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

#keto #ketodiet #weightloss #ketolifestyle

Thanks for watching! I hope this helps increase your awareness of vitamin B12 deficiency and how it could be related to numb hands and feet. I’ll see you in the next video.

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70 Comments

  1. Jenn B on February 16, 2023 at 11:13 am

    This is so informative. I have gluten and dairy sensitivity. And have recently started feeling the pins and needles. Thank you!

    • Jenn B on February 16, 2023 at 11:15 am

      I also work with alot of pregnant women who ecperience pins and needles in their hands. is it possible that a B12 deficiency could be the cause of that as well?

    • Dr. Eric Berg DC on February 16, 2023 at 5:48 pm

      Very glad to be of help.

    • I'm happy on February 17, 2023 at 8:16 am

      Gluten is a protein naturally found in some grains including wheat, barley, and rye. It acts like a binder, holding food together and adding a “stretchy” quality—think of a pizza maker tossing and stretching out a ball of dough. Without gluten, the dough would rip easily.

  2. Nora Wajdi on February 16, 2023 at 11:17 am

    I’m regularly taking nutritional yeast for the last 2 years or so. I think that’s why I never had these symptoms. Thanks for the info Dr Berg 😊

    • Nora Wajdi on February 16, 2023 at 6:58 pm

      @Nancy Smith-baker Dr Berg’s brand.

    • Nancy Smith-baker on February 16, 2023 at 7:09 pm

      @Nora Wajdi thank you I’ll look it up .

    • Rita Williams on February 16, 2023 at 7:39 pm

      Dr.Breg has Irvin his web site

    • Jaime cabrera on February 17, 2023 at 12:11 am

      @Nancy Smith-bakeralso Amazon has one

    • Annie A. on February 17, 2023 at 10:30 am

      @M. H. Ploni would u pls share how u make it? Thank u.

  3. Igwe Ogba on February 16, 2023 at 11:28 am

    This happened to me after an ulcer. Went for all kinds of diabetes and blood sugar tests with turned out negative. Infact my blood sugar was beyond excellent.
    I think my stomach was no longer absorbing b12 efficiently. But was resolved after b12 supplementation. I think the gut is extremely important.

    • jane argarin on February 16, 2023 at 12:44 pm

      What B12 did you take and what dosage? Thanks

    • joegt123 on February 16, 2023 at 2:08 pm

      Supposedly taking cayenne while fasting helps repair the stomach lining and aids in healing ulcers. I take it in my ACV drink every day.

    • m on February 16, 2023 at 4:16 pm

      Don’t forget B9. Also very important.

    • Igwe Ogba on February 17, 2023 at 6:34 am

      @jane argarin I took b12 from a company called megafood and also jarrow b12 chewables just to be sure.

  4. Nature's Candy on February 16, 2023 at 11:31 am

    Thanks Dr. I’ve recently been diagnosed with pernicious anemia.its been ongoing for years and basically ruined my life. Had various blood tests over years but they only tested me for iron.happy I have a diagnoses now but it’s caused so much misery. I’ve been totally lethargic and had confused thinking for a long time. Take my advice folks if you get tested for anemia make sure they have tested you for B12 and not just iron.

    • Zivile Mat. on February 17, 2023 at 7:29 am

      i got tested for feritin included vit B12. feritin was low. vitamin was fine.

    • ᴍᴇꜱꜱᴀɢᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ👉Official_DrEricBergDC on February 17, 2023 at 8:18 am

      ᴄᴏɴɢʀᴀᴛᴜʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ☝️🎁☝️ʏᴏᴜ’ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ꜱᴇʟᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ᴀᴍᴏɴɢ ᴍʏ ꜱʜᴏʀᴛʟɪꜱᴛᴇᴅ ᴡɪɴɴᴇʀꜱ ᴛᴏᴅᴀʏ🔝⬆️💯✅…

    • Alan Schreiner on February 17, 2023 at 3:51 pm

      @Natalia Juniper I have methylcobalamin. I buy the powder from the UK and mix it with saline. That works great for me. Also, very inexpensive. Safer to buy ampules ready to inject. I have read that cyan is fine too.

    • Alan Schreiner on February 17, 2023 at 3:56 pm

      @Megan Luciano I’ve been injecting methylcobalamin for 5 years and my symptoms are gone, so I know methyl works. I went from non-detect B12 numbers to way above normal injecting methylcobalamin.

    • Alan Schreiner on February 17, 2023 at 4:12 pm

      @Luke Schneider In my case, with pernicious anemia, there is no dietary solution because I cannot ingest b12. Only b12 injections work. I’d die in a few years (max) without them. They call it “pernicious” anemia for a reason. Nasty disease.
      I would highly encourage anyone suffering with these symptoms to check with a doctor to rule out PA.

      My b12 got extremely low, non-detect level. Thankfully i went to see a doctor and got diagnosed before much permanent neuropathic damage occurred. Only a little nerve damage has persisted.

  5. Montana Mountain Utv on February 16, 2023 at 11:36 am

    I am a mechanic and have woken up with numb hands for the past year. Thanks for the tip doc!

    • The Ministry of Truth - KMK on February 16, 2023 at 2:53 pm

      @Sheri Rottweilersforever Me too. I let mine go for almost 3 years after diagnoses. Sooo painful!

    • A S on February 16, 2023 at 3:11 pm

      I hope that a missing vitamin is the reason for you or like others have suggested that a brace would help. But, when you mentioned being a mechanic it reminded me of one mechanic who often cleaned his hands with brake cleaner and ended up damaging his cartilage. Mechanics are around some awful chemicals.

    • Montana Mountain Utv on February 16, 2023 at 3:44 pm

      @A S I have seen guys do that! I prefer natural look

    • Dr. Eric Berg DC on February 16, 2023 at 6:58 pm

      Happy you found it useful! Be well!
      -Dr. Berg’s support team

    • Jason Hidalgo on February 16, 2023 at 10:05 pm

      If anyone around you does Body Tempering, can help with that 💪

  6. fidel catsro on February 16, 2023 at 12:40 pm

    Sharing Dr Berg notes:

    Myelin is the coating around the nervous system, and it allows nerve impulses to travel. Without enough myelin, you may experience paresthesia or abnormal sensations.

    One cause of numb hands and feet is diabetes. A thiamine deficiency may also be involved because it’s needed to make myelin. Taking fat-soluble thiamine (benfotiamine) and changing your diet may help improve this situation.

    Another big cause of numbness in the hands is a vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency is very common.

    The loss of myelin commonly occurs in the cervical spine (neck), and the degeneration can lead to various problems throughout the body.

    Other symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency:
    • An imbalance in your gait
    • Urinary retention or bladder problems
    • Problems in the feet
    • Shooting pain in the spine when moving your head down
    • Neck stiffness

    One of the biggest causes of a vitamin B12 deficiency is a loss of stomach acid, which can happen with age. Without enough stomach acid, you can’t absorb vitamin B12. Betaine hydrochloride can help acidify the stomach and increase B12 absorption

    Other causes of low vitamin B12:
    • A lack of vitamin B12 in the diet
    • Antacids
    • Metformin
    • A certain genetic weakness
    • Inflammation in the stomach or intestines
    • Gastric bypass surgery

    You may need to go beyond consuming foods rich in vitamin B12 and take it as a supplement. In my opinion, the best supplement would be methylcobalamin.

    If you have a genetic issue, you may need a supplement that contains methylcobalamin, methylfolate, and vitamin B6.

    Thank you Dr Berg! 🐱👍🏿

    • MarO on February 17, 2023 at 12:09 am

      Thanks Fidel! 😊

    • fidel catsro on February 17, 2023 at 6:47 am

      @terri im sorry about your dad i lost mine in a motorcycle accident in 2008, he was 72!

    • fidel catsro on February 17, 2023 at 6:49 am

      @Bebe T all i know about metformin is that its used by type2 to reduce insulin resistance…dr berg has videos where he mentioned berberine as a natural alternative to metformin

    • I'm happy on February 17, 2023 at 8:13 am

      Myelin: The “armor” that protects your nerve cells

    • minjesha on February 17, 2023 at 1:46 pm

      @Jon we know it and we like it so much because he summarized what Doctor said.

  7. LaMont Jones on February 16, 2023 at 12:41 pm

    Praise God! I was diagnosed with paresthesia last year and had some numbness and tingling in my left hand right before I saw the notification for this video. I was taking a B vitamin supplement for something else but did notice that it helped alleviate the numbness but for some reason it just didn’t totally click for me. Now I know! Thank you!

    • ᴍᴇꜱꜱᴀɢᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ👉Official_DrEricBergDC on February 17, 2023 at 8:20 am

      ᴄᴏɴɢʀᴀᴛᴜʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ☝️🎁☝️ʏᴏᴜ’ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ꜱᴇʟᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ᴀᴍᴏɴɢ ᴍʏ ꜱʜᴏʀᴛʟɪꜱᴛᴇᴅ ᴡɪɴɴᴇʀꜱ ᴛᴏᴅᴀʏ🔝⬆️💯✅…

  8. Alan Schreiner on February 16, 2023 at 12:59 pm

    About 5 years ago I had all these symptoms and worse. I had the tingling in my hands and feet, severe fatigue, lack of balance, and also signs of chronic kidney disease. I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia which is a condition where your antibodies kill the intrinsic factor in your stomach. Intrinsic factor is what allows you to break down B12 out of meat and other foods in your digestive system. There is no known cause. The remedy is to inject B12 for the rest of your life. I’ve been injecting methylcobalamin for 5 years. It has saved my life.

    See a doctor if you have these symptoms and oral b12 supplements don’t work. If you have PA like me, oral b12 won’t help because you cannot absorb it. Subcutaneous b12 can help a little for some. Injection is by far the best solution. I self inject once a month.

    • Nancy Smith-baker on February 16, 2023 at 4:37 pm

      Thank you this helps me a lot . I do get injections but try and stopp .then it all comes back .
      I wonder what causes Intrinsic factor to decrease ?? .I am under a lot of stress . I know that doesn’t help also , nutts , kale and spinach ,swiss chR are all oxilets food . I am severely detoxing from them they cause a lot of problems .my gut health has improved a thousand times with benfotiamine and bananas , but now I am going to go meat , eggs and fish ..
      Thank you for your input on this helps .
      I’ve learned a lot from comments .

    • Alan Schreiner on February 17, 2023 at 12:25 am

      @Nancy Smith-baker They don’t know why but if you have pernicious anemia, your antibodies kill off your intrinsic factor. From everything I’ve heard it’s permanent and not environment related.

    • Nancy Smith-baker on February 17, 2023 at 12:28 am

      @Alan Schreiner thank you , gott it .
      Appreciate you answering .
      Have a good day .

  9. ScalpelTron on February 16, 2023 at 1:00 pm

    This is so true. I can’t absorb B12 from food anymore after bowel surgery for my Crohn’s, and after skipping my B12 injection for a few months (long story) I have experienced awful side effects such as tingling/burning hands and feet, dizziness, extreme fatigue, and muscle spasms. Luckily I’m getting back on track with the shots and am slowly beginning to feel better. But it’s just crazy how many issues a single vitamin deficiency can cause-and think about how many the average person is deficient in due to the modern diet. No wonder so many people are sick and unhealthy.

    • ScalpelTron on February 16, 2023 at 2:21 pm

      @Pamela Mechling Thank you!!

    • Natalia Juniper on February 16, 2023 at 3:50 pm

      @ScalpelTron I’m glad you found the root of your problems so quickly. I know that many people suffer for years, do not know what the matter is, take antidepressants like hypochondriacs.
      Have you got B12 cyanocobalamin or methylcobalamin injection?

    • Jetthead18 on February 16, 2023 at 7:14 pm

      I’m glad you’re doing better. But you’re right. It is incredible how many things in the body are affected by one thing.
      Hormones, too.
      After I got menopause, I experienced stuff I didn’t before. Later, figured it was because of menopause and the hormones.

    • Mama Tried on February 16, 2023 at 8:03 pm

      a lot of ppl suffer unnecessarily bc doctors/pharmacists etc, never even bring up vitamin deficiencies! 😡

    • I'm happy on February 17, 2023 at 8:14 am

      Vitamin B12 injections or nasal sprays may be indicated to treat vitamin B12 deficiency. The recommended daily amount of vitamin B12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms

  10. God's Servant on February 16, 2023 at 1:37 pm

    You broke that down SO well Dr Berg! Thanks for defining those terms right at the beginning. That really helped it all make sense. You are the most helpful doctor in the world. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

    • Dr. Eric Berg DC on February 16, 2023 at 9:20 pm

      Very glad to be of help.

  11. japanluv on February 16, 2023 at 1:46 pm

    Dr Berg. I have been following you for a long time. I have one question: my mom is 68 years of age and on one of the hands she can’t really move much her index and middle finger, progressively getting worse. She is borderline diabetic. She doesn’t eat much at all in general so not sure what triggered both.

    • ᴍᴇꜱꜱᴀɢᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ👉Official_DrEricBergDC on February 17, 2023 at 8:36 am

      ᴄᴏɴɢʀᴀᴛᴜʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ☝️🎁☝️ʏᴏᴜ’ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ꜱᴇʟᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ᴀᴍᴏɴɢ ᴍʏ ꜱʜᴏʀᴛʟɪꜱᴛᴇᴅ ᴡɪɴɴᴇʀꜱ ᴛᴏᴅᴀʏ🔝⬆️💯✅…

  12. The Ministry of Truth - KMK on February 16, 2023 at 2:50 pm

    I had carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands several years back. I let it go for almost 3 years after diagnoses, hoping that it would resolve on it’s own, but it only got worse. I was operated on by a plastic surgeon who told me after the surgery that my nerves were red and swollen when he opened me up. I was in sooooo much pain. It took about a year for each hand/wrist to heal after surgery.

    • Adena Moran on February 17, 2023 at 6:20 am

      I had the surgery too. But I also have ulnar tunnel and do NOT want the surgery for it. I won’t be able to do anything myself, I have Erbs palsy in my other arm. The carpal tunnel recovery was easy.

    • I'm happy on February 17, 2023 at 8:17 am

      It’s really painful

  13. Susan Rawson on February 16, 2023 at 2:55 pm

    Thank you Dr Berk since following your advice, I have lost 16lbs in 3 weeks and my U&E have gone back to normal. My skin has also stopped itching which used to keep me awake at night.

  14. Tony Little on February 16, 2023 at 3:03 pm

    My regular doctor recommended that I get B12 shots. He asked that I didn’t tell anyone that he told me. So I found a health food place that does B12 shots. When I get a shot my pain goes away and I relax. So you’re so on point. Thank you for sharing

    • Justine on February 16, 2023 at 4:25 pm

      Why did he ask you not to tell anyone that he told you to take B12 shots?

    • fnk rodigaz on February 16, 2023 at 5:30 pm

      Western medical Dr’s are not allowed to practice natural or holistic medicine. That type of medicine takes away from big pharmas bottom line.

    • Sweet Sū shānnà on February 16, 2023 at 11:09 pm

      Wanna know too.

    • Bjørn Mathisen on February 17, 2023 at 7:08 pm

      Can you share where you have pain? I know someone who could potentially benefit from a B12 shot.

  15. Tricia Murphy on February 16, 2023 at 3:50 pm

    Hi, Dr. Berg: When I was 15 years old, I had Guillian-Barre’ syndrome and ended up paralyzed from my neck down. It started with the numbness and tingling in my feet and slowly moved its way up my body, attacking the myelin sheath that covered my central nervous system. I was sent to Brigham & Woman’s hospital in Boston because that was the only hospital offering plasmapheresis. After each treatment (5 total), I was able to move more and more. I’m 50 years old now and I was diagnosed with celiac disease about 11 years ago. Needless to say, my whole world got better when I stopped eating gluten. In the past, I discovered that I had a LOT of vitamin deficiencies – I also continue to struggle on and off with the bottoms of my feet burning …….once I started taking my vitamins again regularly, it stops! I didn’t know it could have been from a vitamin B deficiency!!

    Thank you for your videos! You explain things so well. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

    • Jefferson Morant on February 17, 2023 at 12:25 am

      That’s so thoughtful of you Tricia, Thanks for your positive review,How are you and how’s the weather over there?

  16. SmirkinNdLurkin on February 16, 2023 at 6:23 pm

    Is there a way to recommend this guy for some sort of price? He seriously is the only doctor that has ever really helped me, and the information he provides is never outdated, helpful, educational as well as free.

    A true legend indeed

    • maplegingko on February 17, 2023 at 7:21 am

      Buy his supplements to thank him

    • ᴍᴇꜱꜱᴀɢᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ👉Official_DrEricBergDC on February 17, 2023 at 8:19 am

      ᴄᴏɴɢʀᴀᴛᴜʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ☝️🎁☝️ʏᴏᴜ’ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ꜱᴇʟᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ᴀᴍᴏɴɢ ᴍʏ ꜱʜᴏʀᴛʟɪꜱᴛᴇᴅ ᴡɪɴɴᴇʀꜱ ᴛᴏᴅᴀʏ🔝⬆️💯✅…

  17. Jamie Gibson on February 16, 2023 at 7:58 pm

    I have been on Metformin for YEARS. Not one time has any doctor told me I should take B12 to compensate. Thank you Dr.Berg!

    • Melina Koufalis on February 17, 2023 at 8:51 am

      And check about this.. as metformin may cause white hair ….

    • Jeffry Greene on February 17, 2023 at 12:18 pm

      Metformin blocks the absorption of B12

    • Tony Little on February 17, 2023 at 12:40 pm

      What many people don’t realize is that most doctors today are part of a medical system or group, and are basically well paid employees. My doctor advised B12 providing I wouldn’t snitch on him.

  18. jennie halbroeder on February 16, 2023 at 10:20 pm

    I’ve had a lot of the pins and needles type symptoms plus others. Had all my vitamins checked. My B12 was optimum and not deficient but my B6 was at toxic levels (I had been taking b complex supplement and eating a high B6 diet). Can you say more about how the pins and needles or groups of symptoms for each may differ. Little confused as you suggested B6 but B6 toxicity can also cause pins and needles etc.

  19. Alan Veucasovic on February 17, 2023 at 2:49 pm

    Absolutely crazy that I’ve been dealing with this very issue for about 3 weeks after getting food poisoning. I’ve read that a stomach issue can cause deficiency in Magnesium and Potassium as well, which learning from your channel can also cause this pins and needles sensation. Thanks again Dr. Berg!

  20. Old Lady of the lake on February 17, 2023 at 5:59 pm

    About 15 years ago, I had Trigeminal Neuralgia on the left side of my face. It was extremely painful. My neurologist prescribed Gabapentin which I took for two years. Anxious to get off of the medication, I researched the condition and found that it was likely to be from the breakdown of my Myelin Sheath. I started weaning myself off of the Gabapentin and eating one whole avocado each morning with my coffee. With Gabapentin, I had to go very slowly with the process due to the side effects. It worked and I have been pain free for 13 years.
    On another subject, Dr. Berg is absolutely wonderful! He has been very helpful with his expertise and calm, caring attitude.

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