Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Indian Vegetarians: The Silent Epidemic

B12 is the one vitamin a plant-based Indian diet cannot reliably provide. Dal, paneer, ghee, and seasonal vegetables are wonderful — but none of them contain meaningful B12. The result? Studies show 40–47% of Indian vegetarians have low or borderline B12 levels.

Why Indians Are at Higher Risk

• Strict lacto-vegetarian and vegan diets
• Heavy use of antacids and PPIs (which block B12 absorption)
• High prevalence of H. pylori infection
• Diabetes medications like metformin reduce B12 over time
• Older adults absorb less from food regardless of diet

Subtle Symptoms Most People Ignore

• Persistent tiredness despite enough sleep
• Tingling or numbness in fingers and toes
• Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
• Mouth ulcers and a smooth, sore tongue
• Low mood or unexplained anxiety
• Pale skin and breathlessness on mild exertion

Which Test to Ask For

• Serum Vitamin B12 — the standard screening test
• Active B12 (Holotranscobalamin) — more accurate, picks up early deficiency
• Homocysteine and MMA — confirm functional deficiency when B12 is borderline
• Pair with CBC to check for macrocytic anemia

What to Do If You're Deficient

• Oral methylcobalamin works well for mild cases
• Severe deficiency needs B12 injections from a doctor
• Vegetarians should consider a lifelong low-dose supplement
• Recheck levels every 6 months until stable

Book your Vitamin B12 test at Aarvak Diagnostics with same-day home collection across Gurugram.