We always believe we are getting enough vitamins as long as we are having a balanced diet, taking the occasional multivitamin supplements, and generally feeling alright. But then out of the blue, more and more people are constantly tired. Hands numb, memory felt foggy, and simple tasks start to feel more difficult than they should be. Like most people I was also experiencing similar symptoms and so I went and got a routine blood test done, my doctor dropped a bombshell- my blood work was excellent but still vitamin B12 levels were deficient!

What most amazed me? My levels were technically within the "normal" limit. That's when I found out that vitamin B12 deficiency isn't always apparent—it can sneak up on you, even if your blood tests are all okay. And the effects? They can be serious, from taking a toll on your nerves to impairing your brain function. If you’ve ever dismissed fatigue or brain fog as just a part of life, it’s time to take a closer look at this essential nutrient.

Vitamin B12 is important to the overall health of the body, and its deficiency usually goes undetected until it has created irreparable harm. The majority of individuals believe that being within the normal range indicates that they are protected, but studies reveal otherwise. Even those who are within the normal range for vitamin B12 levels are showing cognitive impairment and neurological issues. This presents an imperative question: Are we ignoring the actual effect of the deficiency of vitamin B12?

Vitamin B versus Vitamin B12

The use of 'vitamin B' is to define a group of water-soluble vitamins whose functions serve to keep many different body functions. Of these, vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is unique in serving as an integral part of the production of red blood cells, DNA formation, and the nervous system. All other B vitamins are predominantly derived from animal food sources, a fact that leads to concerns from vegetarians as well as persons with absorptive problems.

Hidden Dangers of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Deceptive as it takes, Vitamin B12 deficiency will gradually make one manifest its full blown effects when most often taken for granted with nonspecific unhelpful clinical findings or at worse, overlooked with wrong diagnosing. This impressive Massachusetts General Hospital case featured a 62-year-old male patient who developed two months before presentation with alarming neurological and bodily manifestations of paresthesias, walking impairment, jaundice, and dyspnea. What did they discover?

A severe deficit in vitamin B12. If not treated, advanced B12 deficiency can cause permanent neurological damage, depression, paranoia, and even dementia.

Who Is at Risk?

B12 deficiency is most prevalent among older adults, but other populations are also at risk. Some of the most important risk factors are:

Strict Vegetarian or Vegan Diets – Because B12 occurs naturally only in animal foods, vegetarians who do not eat meat, eggs, and dairy might have difficulty obtaining sufficient B12 from diet.

Weight-Loss Surgery – Certain operations, like gastric bypass, can inhibit the body's uptake of vitamin B12 from food.

Digestive Disorders – Certain disorders, including celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and atrophic gastritis, can impede B12 absorption.

Long-Term Use of Acid-Reducing Medications – Commonly prescribed for heartburn, these drugs reduce stomach acid, which is needed to absorb vitamin B12 efficiently.

Aging – As people grow older, their stomach acid production decreases, making it harder for the body to extract B12 from food.

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency can take on a wide variety of symptoms, which can appear gradually or abruptly. Among the most typical symptoms are:

• Numbness or tingling in hands, legs, or feet
• Problems with walking and balance
• Weakness and fatigue
• Anemia
• Tongue inflammation or swelling
• Decline in cognitive function, memory loss, and confusion

Since these signs can be suggestive of other ailments, vitamin B12 deficiency frequently goes undetected or misdiagnosed.

'Normal' B12 Levels May Not Be Enough

One of the widespread myths is that if B12 levels are within the normal range, then nothing is wrong. But research indicates that even people with "normal" B12 levels may develop cognitive impairment and neurological dysfunction. A recent study revealed that even at the lower end of normal, individuals had evidence of slowed nerve impulse conduction and impaired spatial processing speed.

In the USA, deficiency is characterized as blood levels below 148 pmol/L. Nonetheless, research indicates that neurological manifestations can be present at higher levels, particularly if bioavailable B12 (Holo-TC) is diminished. This serves to reinforce the value of measuring functional B12 levels in preference to total B12 levels in the diagnosis of deficiency.

Link Between B12 Deficiency and Brain Health

Low B12 status is increasingly linked with cognitive impairment, memory loss, and dementia. Research has shown that deficiency in B12 is a causative factor for white matter injury in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in delayed nerve conduction. Elevated homocysteine due to low levels of B12 may also promote further brain shrinkage and neurodegenerative disorders.

Surprisingly, although B12 supplementation has the ability to correct such blood abnormalities as anemia, its effect on neurological symptoms is not as predictable. In a few instances, even with supplementation, slight neurological dysfunctions remain, emphasizing prevention and early detection.

Diagnosing and Treating B12 Deficiency

Because the symptoms of B12 deficiency are often subtle and nonspecific, diagnosis usually depends on a blood test for total B12, methylmalonic acid (MMA), and homocysteine. Individuals at risk—vegetarians, people with gastrointestinal disorders, and older individuals—should seek out B12 testing from their healthcare providers actively.

Treatment usually consists of dietary changes and supplementation:

Dietary Sources: Beef liver, clams, oysters, dairy foods, eggs, and fortified cereals are good sources of B12.

Oral Supplements: Use Standard B12 tablets or sublingual (under-the-tongue) tablets to ensure adequate levels.

B12 Injections: For serious situations or if there are absorption problems, intramuscular B12 injections are the answer.

Early detection of a vitamin B12 deficiency is important in order to avoid irreversible neurological harm. If you feel unusually tired, numbness, memory problems, or balance difficulties, ask your physician to check your B12 levels—despite the fact that they might be "normal." With ongoing research further emphasizing the intricacies of vitamin B12 metabolism, it is evident that trusting only on past definitions of deficiency can place many at risk.

B12 deficiency is far more prevalent than most people think and can be associated with profound health effects even when blood tests remain within so-called "normal" limits.

During times of crisis or heightened emotions, we seek our elders for some clarity as well as for someone who will keep a cool head during these times. We are always told that wisdom and ways to handle difficult situations are things we gain as we age and a new study shows that this fact holds a lot of truth. We all remember our grandparents and how sweet, calm and patient they were, no matter how many times we messed up or did things that would anger our parents.

A new study suggests this isn't just a personality trait but a skill that improves with age, particularly for women. Research published in the journal Menopause indicates that as women age, especially from middle age onward, their ability to manage anger significantly improves.

Anger Intensifies, Expression Softens

Here's the interesting part: this doesn't mean older women feel less angry. In fact, the study, which looked at information from 271 women over many years, found that they actually reported feeling angrier more often and more strongly as they aged. But here's the key difference: they were much less likely to show their anger outwardly or act in a hostile way. So, even though the feeling of anger might be stronger, their ability to control how they react becomes much better. They might feel it, but they don't necessarily let it burst out.

Why the Shift?

So, why does this happen? Researchers have a couple of ideas. One thought is that as women reach middle age and go through menopause, they often feel a stronger sense of "generativity." This basically means they feel a deep need to help and care for others, especially younger generations, and to make a positive impact on the world. This feeling might help them become more emotionally mature and integrated.

Another idea is that women might become more strategic about how they express their anger. Instead of just lashing out, they might choose more positive and constructive ways to deal with their feelings, which can actually help improve their relationships. When women use anger in these more positive ways, they often feel more empowered and have better self-esteem.

Knowing When Your Anger Is A Problem

According to the American Psychological Association, anger management aims to lessen both the strong feelings of anger you experience and the physical reactions it triggers in your body. While you can't always avoid or change the people or situations that make you angry, you can learn to control how you react.

There are tests that can measure how intense your anger is, how often you get angry, and how well you handle it. However, if you're struggling with anger, you probably already know it. If your actions feel out of control or frightening to you, it might be time to seek help in finding healthier ways to deal with this powerful emotion.

What Does This Study Imply?

Experts point out that the changes women experience during menopause can really affect their mental well-being, both in their personal lives and at work. She explains that shifts in hormones during times like postpartum (after childbirth), during monthly periods, and around menopause can lead to strong mood swings, including feelings of anger and hostility. She stresses that if women are informed about these possible mood changes and get help managing their symptoms, it can make a huge difference in their overall quality of life and health. The study's authors also believe we need more research to understand women's anger in everyday situations, which can give us even more helpful tips on managing emotions and anger.

People have the ability to come up with great, unique, and different ideas from the rest. However, we have all had days when brainstorming doesn't fruit any good ideas for us. So, the natural next step is to look on the internet. However, doing this is not only ruining your thought process but it is also killing your creativity. A new study shows that if you are looking for new ideas, you should stay off the internet.

Using the internet to find new ideas during group brainstorming sessions might actually stifle creativity, according to a study published on June 30 in the journal Memory & Cognition. Researchers found that internet searches can hinder a group's ability to generate truly original ideas

Internet's Impact on Creativity

The internet isn't making us less intelligent, but we might not be using it in the best ways for brainstorming. Researchers believe the internet can limit creativity because of something called "fixation effects." This means that when people see ideas from a search engine, they tend to think of other similar ideas. At the same time, these suggestions can block them from coming up with completely new or different answers.

For example, if someone is trying to list things you might "spread" and sees "butter" or "jam" from the internet, they're more likely to think of other foods like "cream cheese." They'll be less likely to think of non-food ideas, like "disease" or "rumors."

What the Study Showed

In a lab experiment with nearly 250 people, researchers looked at how groups came up with new uses for umbrellas and shields. They knew that there are many alternative uses for umbrellas online, but very few for shields.

Groups that had internet access struggled to find new ideas for umbrellas. This was probably because seeing so many suggestions online narrowed their thinking. On the other hand, because there weren't many pre-existing ideas for shields, groups had more room for their creativity to grow. This study provides the first proof that internet searches can cause this "fixation effect.

The results also showed that people who didn't use the internet were more imaginative. Those who used Google often came up with the same common answers, sometimes even in the same order. People who didn't use Google came up with more unique answers.

Smarter Ways to Brainstorm

However, researchers don't think we should avoid the internet when brainstorming. Instead, we need to find better ways to use search engines to boost our creative thinking.

The hope is to understand how human thought interacts with technology so we can get the most out of the internet while reducing its downsides. For instance, doing some brainstorming without the internet first could help avoid getting stuck on existing ideas. The goal isn't to give up the power of online search, but to learn how to use it more effectively.

Dealing With Creativity Blocks

Creativity blocks are normal, especially for people like designers writers as well as artists. However, due to the vagueness of this process, it is difficult to know when it will end or how to go about it. Here are some ways you can deal with it.

Identify the Root Cause

Pinpoint the core reason for your creative block. Is it a lack of inspiration, confidence, or clarity? Understanding if it's personal, professional, or environmental, and whether it's temporary or chronic, helps you address the issue effectively.

Break the Routine

Combat creative blocks by changing your routine. Alter your environment, schedule, tools, or methods to introduce new stimuli. Working differently sparks fresh ideas, refreshes your mind, and prevents boredom from stifling creativity.

Do Something Else

Sometimes, stepping away is best. Relax, recharge, and distract yourself from creative frustration. Engage in unrelated activities like reading, listening, or exercising. This helps you return with a fresh perspective, but avoid procrastination.

Experiment and Iterate

Overcome blocks by experimenting and iterating. Try different ideas and variations without attachment to perfection. Sketch, prototype, and revise to explore creative potential, discover new possibilities, and learn from any mistakes along the way.

Embrace the Challenge

Accept creative block as a natural part of the process, not a failure. Embracing it helps overcome fear and self-doubt, motivating continued progress. Acknowledge, reframe, learn, and even celebrate the challenge to improve skills.

In 1998, a mysterious and deadly illness emerged among pig farmers in Malaysia, later identified as the Nipah virus (NiV), a bat-borne zoonotic pathogen from the Henipavirus genus. It caused severe respiratory illness and encephalitis, claiming over 100 lives and decimating the pig farming industry.

The virus reappeared in Singapore in 1999. Over time, it was clear that the outbreaks weren’t isolated events. NiV had entrenched itself across regions with certain ecological and socio-cultural conditions, particularly in South and Southeast Asia.

Today, NiV is considered one of the World Health Organization's priority diseases for research and development due to its high case fatality rate (up to 100% in some outbreaks), human-to-human transmissibility, and pandemic potential.

25 Years, 754 Cases, 435 Deaths

As of May 2024, there have been 754 confirmed human Nipah cases reported across five countries—Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, India, and the Philippines—with 435 deaths, averaging a staggering case fatality rate (CFR) of 58%

.

The most affected countries are:

• Bangladesh: 341 cases, 241 deaths (CFR 71%)
• India: 102 cases, 74 deaths (CFR 73%)
• Malaysia: 283 cases, 109 deaths (CFR 39%)
• Philippines: 17 cases, 9 deaths (CFR 53%)
• Singapore: 11 cases, 1 death (CFR 9%)

Unlike Malaysia and the Philippines, where the virus spread through intermediate hosts like pigs or horses, cases in Bangladesh and India have been directly linked to bat-to-human transmission—primarily through the consumption of raw date palm sap contaminated by infected fruit bats.

Why Does Nipah Still Exist?

Fruit Bats Are Permanent Reservoirs

Nipah virus resides in Pteropus fruit bats, which are widely distributed across Asia, the Pacific Islands, and even parts of Africa. These bats are natural carriers and do not show symptoms of the disease, making them difficult to monitor or control. NiV RNA and antibodies have been found in bats in at least 15 countries, including India, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Ghana.

Human Habits Enable Spillover

In regions like Bangladesh, seasonal practices such as collecting fresh date palm sap—a delicacy also consumed raw—provide a direct interface between humans and bat secretions. The virus can contaminate sap through bat saliva or urine.

Moreover, in the Philippines, outbreaks were traced to the butchering and consumption of sick horses. These recurring interactions with potential intermediary hosts keep the door open for viral spillover.

Human-to-Human Transmission

Although not as contagious as influenza or COVID-19, human-to-human transmission of NiV has been confirmed in Bangladesh and India. Some outbreaks have shown vertical transmission (mother to child) and transmission among caregivers and family members.

This capability increases the risk of community spread, particularly in regions with delayed detection or inadequate isolation infrastructure.

No Vaccine, No Cure

Despite being on the global priority pathogen list, there is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Nipah. Management remains supportive, relying on early diagnosis and intensive care. In resource-constrained regions, especially rural South Asia, this becomes a daunting challenge.

Bangladesh and India: The Epicenters of Ongoing Risk

Since 2001, both Bangladesh and India have reported almost every year either isolated or clustered cases of Nipah virus, particularly in Kerala and West Bengal (India) and multiple districts in Bangladesh.

Notably, 2023 saw Bangladesh’s highest ever reported NiV cases and deaths. In 2024, the country reported two cases—both of which were fatal, marking a 100% CFR for the year

.

Efforts in both countries have been ramped up. Surveillance now includes:

• Testing date palm sap for contamination
• Educating communities to avoid raw consumption
• Quarantining suspected cases
• Expanding diagnostic labs and outbreak response teams

Still, challenges remain due to cultural habits, lack of rapid testing in rural areas, and public fatigue around health advisories.

The Risk of a Wider Spread

Though human NiV cases have so far been reported only in Asia, the potential for global spread exists. Several factors fuel this concern:

Genetic adaptability: The virus has shown potential for genetic reassortment, raising fears of a more transmissible strain.

Broad geographic distribution: NiV-carrying bats exist far beyond the current outbreak zones.

Environmental change: Deforestation, land-use changes, and climate shifts are bringing bats closer to human habitats.

Global travel and trade: A delayed diagnosis in one international traveler could enable the virus to spread outside endemic zones.

What Needs to Be Done?

A Global “One Health” Approach

The study by Sakirul Khan et al. emphasizes the urgent need for multisectoral collaboration—involving human health, veterinary, and environmental sciences—to monitor and prevent outbreaks

. A “One World, One Health” model is key.

Steps must include:

• Strengthening high-containment laboratories in risk zones
• Continuous monitoring of viral genetic changes
• Developing and testing vaccines and antiviral therapies
• Investing in bat ecology research and habitat protection
• Community engagement and behavioral change strategies