- I, have translated my original Swedish text into English (below) using Google translate, therefore there might be some inconsistencies.
(Svensk version längre ner)
Are you a vegetarian? If so, you should
read this about vitamin B12.
Dear reader,
I have not written any posts in a very long time,
..... but here we go!
Hope you will benefit from this information.
Please write a comment.
Research has shown that
vegetarians/vegans of all ages and of all sexes can be at a greater
risk of
dis-ease from lack of B12 ....
Perhaps some of you do not agree with
me, but it's my belief that a strict vegetarian diet, without any
sources of animal protein, can be dangerous-even lethal to some
individuals.
I realize that many have chosen this
way of life based on spiritual or ethical beliefs, and I have full
understanding of this.
Either way, after all, health
consequences, namely lack of necessary nutrients, one of them is
vitamin B12, and it is very wise to include dietary supplements.
The form I advocate is Methyl
Cobalamin instead of the common and cheaper Cyano Cobalamin (as the name says, contains a small amount of cyanide)
Many of you are saying now, "I eat
a lot of plant foods containing B12".
Yes, that's often true ..... but below,
I will explain a little closer what it really means.
The few plant crops, for example algae,
which contains the vitamin, in fact, also contain an "analogues", which is a substance that blocks the
absorption of natural B12, which results in that the body's need of
this nutrient actually increases even more!
Absorbable B12 is found almost
exclusively in animal foods, such as meat from pig, cow, lamb,
chicken and egg, fish, shrimp and so on, which vegetarians/vegans do
not eat.
Another argument that is often made by
vegetarians/vegans is that "the body produces its own B12 of
bacteria in the large intestine". This is certainly true, but
since it is not produced in an area (stomach and small intestine)
where B12 can be used by the body, it is not available.
B12 deficiency is very common in strict
vegetarians / vegans,
but unfortunately many are unaware of
the problem until it's too late.
The vitamin B12 is water soluble, but
despite that, we do not quickly pee it out together with other water
soluble vitamins, instead it is stored in the liver, kidneys and
other body tissues.
That's why a deficiency usually does
not show up for several years, and therefore you may not associate it
with your diet, since you became a vegetarian "a long time ago".
After about 7 years of deficiency you
can develop permanent brain damage and other problems, even dementia
and Alzheimer's disease may have its roots in this (!)
The first symptoms of B12 deficiency
are usually vague, such as low energy / fatigue /apathy.
If not resolved, it may cause:
* permanent nerve damage
*Depression,
* numbness and tingling of the hands
and feet Muscle weakness.
* nervousness
* impaired memory
* Changes in behavior
* Physical, mental and / or emotional
health changes
etc.
(note-some of these symptoms may also
indicate low thyroid)
B12 is most commonly known as the
"energy vitamin" but it also affects whole body metabolism
– the absorption of nutrients, iron absorption, carbohydrate and
fat metabolism.
Helps regulate and produce red blood
platelets
Adrenal gland production of hormones
The nervous system
Immune defense
-and much more.
What are the options?
If you are open to it, I would like to
suggest adding some animal food, because it's only there B12 is
available in its natural form.
This does not have to be meat, - eggs
and dairy products are alternatives, especially organic eggs, would
be my personal choice.
Top list:
Meat or liver from grass-fed cows
Organic chicken
Raw milk (hard to find)
Organic eggs
Seafood and fish are other options, but
unfortunately not good because they are most often contaminated, with
mercury and other toxins.
Small fish, like sardines, are more acceptable (top of the food chain).
Important to know is that even if you
eat animal food, it may be smart to add a supplement to prevent B12
deficiency. The reason for this is that as we age, intestinal lining
of the stomach becomes more and more compromised and "worn"
and thus also the ability to produce hydrochloric acid, which is
necessary to release B12 from the food you eat.
If you are over 50 years old, you can
assume that you do not absorb optimal vitamin B12 with the best
assurance.
If you do not eat animal
products, I recommend adding B12* supplements (or injections).
Unfortunately, most multivitamin
preparations are quite worthless when talking absorption potential
of B12. The good news are, new technology has produced B12 in a
smaller molecule size, applied by means of a spray, it can more
easily be absorbed by the small capillaries under the tongue directly
into the blood, thus avoiding the need for “intrinsic factor
protein” (see info below)
Part of the reason why B12 is so
difficult to get into the intestine is that the vitamin is a huge
molecule (compared to other vitamins). A protein,"intrinsic
factor, is required which binds to the B12 molecule and can then be
absorbed into the blood stream.
Several people have very little or lack
of intrinsic factor, caused by low hydrochloric acid production, as I
have already mentioned.
Good to know:
- The symptoms of too much
hydrochloric acid and too little are the same! If you are aware of
various digestive problems then you probably have low production of
intrinsic factor.
There are supplements available with
HydroChloricAcid (+enzyme Pepsin), if it has been determined you have
a shortage.
Whichever option you choose - animal
foods, injections or quality spray, I recommend that you start adding
supplements, especially if you are vegetarian or vegan, low HCL=
intrinsic factor (or over 50) in order to avoid serious health
problems in the future.
