We all have mood swings sometimes. They come and go, but soon enough, we’re brought back to our usual selves and don’t really think much of it. But other times? You start to feel moody out of the blue, no matter how much sleep you got and how much yoga and meditation you’ve done.

If you’re feeling this way for a while and can’t touch on what’s causing it, maybe you need more vitamin B12 in your diet.  A deficiency in this important vitamin could really behind the culprit behind your constant mood swings, as well as other less than pleasant symptoms.  

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is needed for the body to produce DNA and red blood cells, as well as for the nervous system to function. Generally, it is found in animal-based products, such as eggs, dairy, fish, and meat.  If you’re vegetarian, you can take supplements to make sure that you’re getting the amount your body needs.

If you’ve been feeling moody and weak, the best thing to do is to take a blood test to check.  Also, if your skin looks paler than usual, or even a little bit more yellow than usual, it could also be a sign that your body does not have enough vitamin B12.

And if you’ve been feeling pins and needles in your feet and hand, it’s another telling sign. A lack of B12 can cause nerve damage over time.  No need to be alarmed though, if you get some more B12 in your body, the tingling is likely to fade.

Feeling lightheaded and bruising easily can also be a sign since a B12 deficiency could lead to severe anemia.  In addition, if you’ve been noticing bizarre and painful sores in your mouth, you might have found the explanation too.  This is known as glossitis and changes the color and shape of your tongue, making it swollen and red.

You might conclude that your mood swings are because of your period, but it’s important to make sure that it’s not due to a lack of B12 in your body. This vitamin is necessary for the production of serotonin and dopamine, the hormones that make us happy.

Never hurts to check.