B-12 Misconceptions
For many years’ vegans that were on the 100% raw diet thought they were getting plenty of vitamin B-12 from plants and vegetables along with those who adamantly rejected this thought.
Tests by Dr. Donaldson on 100 people who were on an 85% raw fruits and vegetables and 15% cooked portion of their daily meal for at least two years revealed that 47% of men and women were deficient in B-12.[1]
Nutrition researchers generally encounter no vitamin B-12 in plant foods today!
The Framingham Study revealed that 39% of those on an animal-based diet were deficient in B-12 also.[2]
Testing is showing that low serum B-12 is common in younger and older participants. They were shown to have plasma levels in the range at which they would start experiencing neurological symptoms.
The results show that many people are in need of supplementation of this critical vitamin.
There are many other factors that can impact the B12 in our bodies. The lack of B12 has been termed as a “devastating, silent crippler that is so easily preventable.”
Why would B-12 be lacking from our food?
We must ask the question, why wouldn’t we get enough B-12 from the plants, vegetables, and fruits of God’s creation to maintain health? Did God leave it out of the food that we were instructed to eat?
Absolutely not!
There has been a tremendous amount of controversy on this subject due to the gradual depletion of vitamin B-12, over time, by vegans. The body manufactures its own B12 from a certain bacteria found in and on the vegetable and fruit. Grazing animals are found to have B12 from the bacteria found on the grasses that they eat.
After 1942 Bayer and some other chemical manufacturers developed a way to dispose of WW II weapons by converting these chemicals into pesticides and fertilizers. As a result of continued and increased use of these products, the unintentional consequence has been a gradual sterilization and depletion of soils and bacteria necessary to supply the plants with B-12.
Another cause of the lack of this bacteria (B12) is from the excessive washing of vegetables for marketing. This eliminates any of the bacteria found on the vegetable itself.
The consequence – loss of Vitamin B-12 derived from plants.
Special soil conditioning, composting, and using natural substances for fertilizers would allow vegetables to regain the necessary bacteria for our bodies to produce B-12 without supplementation. This is yet to be proved out with new methods of raising plant foods.
Certified organic is your best option!
Are you in danger?
Symptoms of B-12 deficiency:
- Neurological problems
- Enlargement of the mucous membranes of the mouth, vagina, or stomach
- Experiencing Macrocytic anemia (red blood cells are larger than their normal volume)
The result of a nutrient-deficient diet containing salty, high-fat foods, that have been cooked, fried, or baked will frequently cause gastritis. This high heat condition will destroy vitamin B-12 mutating it to an inactive state that cannot be absorbed by our cells.
You know the saying “what you don’t know can kill you”!
It’s true. Joel Fuhrman, M.D. saw the blood test results of T.C. Fry, the popular promoter of a raw vegan diet. He died of “severe” B-12 deficiency.
Vitamin B-12 deficiency must be corrected using supplementation if you are adhering to a raw vegan diet.
I have written some information on choosing vitamins here.
What is vitamin B-12?
B-12, or cobalamin, is a co-enzyme which is produced by bacteria. As a result most people will not produce B-12 in their gut without supplementation.[3]
It is primarily needed for growth and red blood cell formation.
Some of the benefits include:
- Essential for metabolic processes in our body
- Assists in synthesis of protein
- Critical for proper functioning of the mind
- Supports healthy nerve cells
- Assists in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats
- Assists in absorption of foods and digestion
How to correct B-12 deficiency!
Most leading experts agree that 0.5 micrograms of vitamin B-12 per day is sufficient for maintaining health, although some studies show that 1.0 to 3.0 micrograms would be required for normal red blood cell maturation. This would allow a normal storage of about 1000 times this amount within the liver and other body tissues.
The difference in the recommended dosage may be due to how effective our body is in absorption or impaired digestion. A study revealing that the absorption ratio of vegans is shown to be 70% and that of meat eaters is 26%, according to Dr. Gabriel Cousens, M.D.
The best option for supplementation is taking the active form methylcobalamin however if this is not available hydroxocobalamin is an acceptable option that is still superior to the typical form, cyanocobalamin. The body must convert cyanocobalamin before it can be used.
It would be prudent to have your health professional do testing every few years by using the MMA Test. (Urinary Methylmalonic Acid Test)
Joel Fuhrman, M.D. commented, “a minority of people will produce B-12 in their gut without supplementation”.
Notes:
[1] Dr Michael Donaldson, PhD, Cornell University and Hallelujah Acres research director. myhdiet.com/healthnews/rev-malkmus/vitamin-b12-deficient/
[2] Framingham offspring study
[3] Joel Fuhrman, M.D.