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Went to the doctor today and she says my B12 levels are low for my age.....

reh216reh216
in New to Raw

It is still in the "normal" levels, but lower than normal. She suggested B12 supplements, but I'm weary of taking any kind of artificial vitamins/minerals, besides that, I've heard that taking B12 orally is not efficient (ie B12 injections are preferable). She insists that B12 is only found in animals and thus I need to either eat meat/dairy/eggs or take supplements (which are likely not vegan) What do you all think? Is there a natural, animal friendly way to increase my B12 levels?

Comments

  • SomeLikeItRawSomeLikeItRaw

    I don't know how MUCH this would increase your levels, but there are great amounts of B vitamins in nutritional yeast found in the bulk bins at most health food stores.

    ~Mona

     

  • reh216reh216

    Ugghh, I guess I just have to bite the bullet then, huh? :P

    It just seems strange to me, that if we are following a diet for optimal health, why would we need supplementation, I mean, deer, elephants, rabbits, ect. don't have problems with low B12 levels.

  • j_treehuggerj_treehugger

    b12 comes from byproducts..(yeast, dirt, poop..etc.) ... nutritional yeast is the most natural source in my opinion (that tastes good anyway!)... also it is 100% vegan. but you should always research the type of nutritional yeast you are buying as they come from different sources. usually grown on some type of molasses.

  • kellymekellyme

    Too bad. So how's your vitamin B12 level now? I hope you're doing fine now. When I was younger, I was diagnosed that I was low in this vitamin, too. What I did was to supplement myself with vitamin B12. I tried this: http://products.mercola.com/vitamin-b12-spray/ It's not a pill or tablet but a spray. It did good to me that time, and until now, I'm still using it. :)

  • Eatin GreenEatin Green

    I see that this is a pretty old thread, but I thought that I would also add that in my studies, sea vegetables are supposed to be a good source for B12. I believe that I read it in Depression Free For Life by Gabriel Cousans (sp?). I have found him to be a good, reliable source for information.

  • TheBajanTheBajan

    I have to agree with powerlifer. I recently found out that my B12 is extremely low. This has prompted me to really research it in deapth and I have found a lot of misleading information regarding sources of VIABLE, USABLE B12. Just as our bodies are able to better metabolize protien from plants as opposed to animal protien, the same holds true for many other things within our diet. What I mean is that sea vegtables may contain a type of B12 but that doesn't mean we are able to benefit from it. As a vegan I would love to believe and say that we are able to get an adequate amount of B12 purely from our diet alone. For some individual that may be true. Our bodies are all different and the human body only requires a very small amount of B12. However, for the vast majority of people, B12 must be obtained either through animal by-products, injections, or supplementation. At least that's what I've been finding through my research. Some people have an inability to absorb B12 in their small intestine and therefore sublingual suppliments is the best alternative. Monthly (or even bi-weekly) shots are also a good option for those individuals who simply don't remember to take the suppliments.

    Cheers,

    The Bajan

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