DANA CARPENDER: A bit of vitamin B-12 is all you need to thrive

May 17, 2007

A tiny, radical subset of the vast and diverse vegetarian population likes to insist that mankind is naturally vegan -- and some argue that we should properly eat nothing but fruit.They assert that this is so because our hominid ancestors were vegan, and so, they claim, are the great apes.There are many holes in this argument, prominent among them the fact that paleontology and anthropology have turned up not a single culture that has shunned all animal foods, and that apes have been observed eating small animals and insects, and therefore are not vegans.But far more telling is the fact that in order to live and thrive, we require a vitamin that is found in useful quantities only in animal foods: vitamin B-12.Also known as cyanocobalamin, B-12 is needed in tiny quantities -- only 2 to 3 micrograms per day. It’s astonishing that such a small amount can be so vital.B-12 is essential for the formation of red blood cells. Without it,

you will become anemic and feel weak and tired all the time, and possibly be short of breath as your body struggles to compensate for your blood’s inability to carry sufficient oxygen.Indeed, it was the search for the cause of pernicious anemia that led to the discovery of B-12.B-12 deficiency can also cause concentration and memory problems.In children, it will stunt growth.Like the rest of the B vitamins, B-12 is also needed for a healthy nervous system.Deficiency can cause the death of the essential outer layer of the nerves, called the myelin sheath, leading to neurodegenerative disease.Symptoms of B-12-related nerve damage include tingling in the extremities and a loss of coordination, especially a clumsy gait when walking.Nerve damage from B-12 deficiency can be permanent.If you are a vegetarian, you need to be careful to get enough B-12.If you are a vegan, it is vital that you take B-12

supplements.Ignore claims that seaweed and algae are good sources of B-12. They actually contain pseudo-B-12, which not only does not act as B-12 in the body, but it may block absorption of true B-12.Whether the bacteria in fermented soy products provide B-12 is controversial. The Vegetarian Society states: “analysis of fermented soya products, including tempeh, miso, shoyu and tamari, found no significant B-12."The consensus is that there is no vegetable source that contains any significant quantity of the vitamin.Take your supplements, or eat fortified foods. It is common for products marketed to vegetarians to be fortified with B-12 for this very reason.Bacteria manufacture B-12 in our digestive system.Unfortunately, it’s further along the line than the region where B-12 is absorbed, so we can’t rely on this source, either.If you eat meat, eggs and dairy products regularly, it’s likely that you consume

enough.I say “consume" because problems with absorbing B-12 are all too common.A substance called “intrinsic factor," produced in the stomach, binds to B-12 and renders it available to the body.If intrinsic factor is lacking, you can feast all day on foods high in B-12and still be deficient.And if you’re eating a diet low in B-12 to start with, the results can be disastrous.This problem with absorption is why supplemental B-12 is generally given either by injection, in a sublingual tablet or -- believe it or not -- in a nasal gel.If you have symptoms of B-12 deficiency, and especially if you are a vegetarian or vegan, consult your doctor. http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20070516/NEWS/705160308/1005/SPORTS0106 Peter H

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it now.

May 17, 2007

Hi Peter

One problem with that particular article... in a purely "natural" environment, we wouldn't clean our veg, so would get plenty of B12 from the soil that it would be encased in!

BB

Peter

-

peter VV

Thursday, May 17, 2007 6:41 PM

Re: DANA CARPENDER: A bit of vitamin B-12 is all you need to thrive

A tiny, radical subset of the vast and diverse vegetarian population likes to insist that mankind is naturally vegan -- and some argue that we should properly eat nothing but fruit.They assert that this is so because our hominid ancestors were vegan, and so, they claim, are the great apes.There are many holes in this argument, prominent among them the fact that paleontology and anthropology have turned up not a single culture that has shunned all animal foods, and that apes have been observed eating small animals and insects, and therefore are not vegans.But far more telling is the fact that in order to live and thrive, we require a vitamin that is found in useful quantities only in animal foods: vitamin B-12.Also known as cyanocobalamin, B-12 is needed in tiny quantities -- only 2 to 3 micrograms per day. It’s astonishing that such a small amount can be so vital.B-12 is essential for the formation of red blood cells. Without it, you will become anemic and feel weak and tired all the time, and possibly be short of breath as your body struggles to compensate for your blood’s inability to carry sufficient oxygen.Indeed, it was the search for the cause of pernicious anemia that led to the discovery of B-12.B-12 deficiency can also cause concentration and memory problems.In children, it will stunt growth.Like the rest of the B vitamins, B-12 is also needed for a healthy nervous system.Deficiency can cause the death of the essential outer layer of the nerves, called the myelin sheath, leading to neurodegenerative disease.Symptoms of B-12-related nerve damage include tingling in the extremities and a loss of coordination, especially a clumsy gait when walking.Nerve damage from B-12 deficiency can be permanent.If you are a vegetarian, you need to be careful to get enough B-12.If you are a vegan, it is vital that you take B-12 supplements.Ignore claims that seaweed and algae are good sources of B-12. They actually contain pseudo-B-12, which not only does not act as B-12 in the body, but it may block absorption of true B-12.Whether the bacteria in fermented soy products provide B-12 is controversial. The Vegetarian Society states: “analysis of fermented soya products, including tempeh, miso, shoyu and tamari, found no significant B-12."The consensus is that there is no vegetable source that contains any significant quantity of the vitamin.Take your supplements, or eat fortified foods. It is common for products marketed to vegetarians to be fortified with B-12 for this very reason.Bacteria manufacture B-12 in our digestive system.Unfortunately, it’s further along the line than the region where B-12 is absorbed, so we can’t rely on this source, either.If you eat meat, eggs and dairy products regularly, it’s likely that you consume enough.I say “consume" because problems with absorbing B-12 are all too common.A substance called “intrinsic factor," produced in the stomach, binds to B-12 and renders it available to the body.If intrinsic factor is lacking, you can feast all day on foods high in B-12and still be deficient.And if you’re eating a diet low in B-12 to start with, the results can be disastrous.This problem with absorption is why supplemental B-12 is generally given either by injection, in a sublingual tablet or -- believe it or not -- in a nasal gel.If you have symptoms of B-12 deficiency, and especially if you are a vegetarian or vegan, consult your doctor.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20070516/NEWS/705160308/1005/SPORTS0106

Peter H

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May 17, 2007

[[ in a purely "natural" environment, we wouldn't clean our veg, so would get plenty of B12 from the soil ]]

Unfortunately you are likely to get a lot of other, highly toxic things from the soil if you don't wash your vegetables. Yes, I know, you said, "in a purely natural environment" but it is rather difficult to find one.

May 18, 2007

this pro-meat article has a Major flaw,

B12 is not found in meat either.

B12 is actually a bacteria found in soil, dirt.

A cow, does not " wash " her grass when she eats it, therefore

cow's meat has B12.

Vegans eat products that are extremely well washed, so therefore

vegans do not ingest the Bacteria.

Supplements are needed.

It is irrelevant whether " mankind " is naturally vegan, or not,

if the life of a sentient being can be spared, then why not?

, peter VV <swpgh01 wrote:

>

> A tiny, radical subset of the vast and diverse vegetarian population

likes to insist that mankind is naturally vegan -- and some argue that

we should properly eat nothing but fruit.

>

> They assert that this is so because our hominid ancestors were

vegan, and so, they claim, are the great apes.

>

> There are many holes in this argument, prominent among them the fact

that paleontology and anthropology have turned up not a single culture

that has shunned all animal foods, and that apes have been observed

eating small animals and insects, and therefore are not vegans.

>

> But far more telling is the fact that in order to live and thrive,

we require a vitamin that is found in useful quantities only in animal

foods: vitamin B-12.

>

> Also known as cyanocobalamin, B-12 is needed in tiny quantities --

only 2 to 3 micrograms per day. It's astonishing that such a small

amount can be so vital.

>

> B-12 is essential for the formation of red blood cells. Without it,

you will become anemic and feel weak and tired all the time, and

possibly be short of breath as your body struggles to compensate for

your blood's inability to carry sufficient oxygen.

>

> Indeed, it was the search for the cause of pernicious anemia that

led to the discovery of B-12.

>

> B-12 deficiency can also cause concentration and memory problems.

>

> In children, it will stunt growth.

>

> Like the rest of the B vitamins, B-12 is also needed for a healthy

nervous system.

>

> Deficiency can cause the death of the essential outer layer of the

nerves, called the myelin sheath, leading to neurodegenerative disease.

>

> Symptoms of B-12-related nerve damage include tingling in the

extremities and a loss of coordination, especially a clumsy gait when

walking.

>

> Nerve damage from B-12 deficiency can be permanent.

>

> If you are a vegetarian, you need to be careful to get enough B-12.

> If you are a vegan, it is vital that you take B-12 supplements.

>

> Ignore claims that seaweed and algae are good sources of B-12. They

actually contain pseudo-B-12, which not only does not act as B-12 in

the body, but it may block absorption of true B-12.

>

> Whether the bacteria in fermented soy products provide B-12 is

controversial. The Vegetarian Society states: " analysis of fermented

soya products, including tempeh, miso, shoyu and tamari, found no

significant B-12. "

>

> The consensus is that there is no vegetable source that contains any

significant quantity of the vitamin.

>

> Take your supplements, or eat fortified foods. It is common for

products marketed to vegetarians to be fortified with B-12 for this

very reason.

>

> Bacteria manufacture B-12 in our digestive system.

>

> Unfortunately, it's further along the line than the region where

B-12 is absorbed, so we can't rely on this source, either.

>

> If you eat meat, eggs and dairy products regularly, it's likely that

you consume enough.

>

> I say " consume " because problems with absorbing B-12 are all too common.

>

> A substance called " intrinsic factor, " produced in the stomach,

binds to B-12 and renders it available to the body.

>

> If intrinsic factor is lacking, you can feast all day on foods high

in B-12and still be deficient.

>

> And if you're eating a diet low in B-12 to start with, the results

can be disastrous.

>

> This problem with absorption is why supplemental B-12 is generally

given either by injection, in a sublingual tablet or -- believe it or

not -- in a nasal gel.

>

> If you have symptoms of B-12 deficiency, and especially if you are a

vegetarian or vegan, consult your doctor.

>

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20070516/NEWS/705160308/1005/SPORTS0106

>

> Peter H

>

> Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the

answer. Tryit now.

>

May 18, 2007

Here's an interesting article on B12. Note what it says about tofu, tempeh, and other fermented foods. I do believe in supplements, though.

http://www.whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=nutrient & dbid=107

-

flower child

Thursday, May 17, 2007 9:41 PM

Re: DANA CARPENDER: A bit of vitamin B-12 is all you need to thrive

this pro-meat article has a Major flaw, B12 is not found in meat either. B12 is actually a bacteria found in soil, dirt.A cow, does not "wash" her grass when she eats it, thereforecow's meat has B12. Vegans eat products that are extremely well washed, so thereforevegans do not ingest the Bacteria. Supplements are needed. It is irrelevant whether "mankind" is naturally vegan, or not, if the life of a sentient being can be spared, then why not? , peter VV <swpgh01 wrote:>> A tiny, radical subset of the vast and diverse vegetarian populationlikes to insist that mankind is naturally vegan -- and some argue thatwe should properly eat nothing but fruit.> > They assert that this is so because our hominid ancestors werevegan, and so, they claim, are the great apes.> > There are many holes in this argument, prominent among them the factthat paleontology and anthropology have turned up not a single culturethat has shunned all animal foods, and that apes have been observedeating small animals and insects, and therefore are not vegans.> > But far more telling is the fact that in order to live and thrive,we require a vitamin that is found in useful quantities only in animalfoods: vitamin B-12.> > Also known as cyanocobalamin, B-12 is needed in tiny quantities --only 2 to 3 micrograms per day. It's astonishing that such a smallamount can be so vital.> > B-12 is essential for the formation of red blood cells. Without it,you will become anemic and feel weak and tired all the time, andpossibly be short of breath as your body struggles to compensate foryour blood's inability to carry sufficient oxygen.> > Indeed, it was the search for the cause of pernicious anemia thatled to the discovery of B-12.> > B-12 deficiency can also cause concentration and memory problems.> > In children, it will stunt growth.> > Like the rest of the B vitamins, B-12 is also needed for a healthynervous system.> > Deficiency can cause the death of the essential outer layer of thenerves, called the myelin sheath, leading to neurodegenerative disease.> > Symptoms of B-12-related nerve damage include tingling in theextremities and a loss of coordination, especially a clumsy gait whenwalking.> > Nerve damage from B-12 deficiency can be permanent.> > If you are a vegetarian, you need to be careful to get enough B-12.> If you are a vegan, it is vital that you take B-12 supplements.> > Ignore claims that seaweed and algae are good sources of B-12. Theyactually contain pseudo-B-12, which not only does not act as B-12 inthe body, but it may block absorption of true B-12.> > Whether the bacteria in fermented soy products provide B-12 iscontroversial. The Vegetarian Society states: "analysis of fermentedsoya products, including tempeh, miso, shoyu and tamari, found nosignificant B-12."> > The consensus is that there is no vegetable source that contains anysignificant quantity of the vitamin.> > Take your supplements, or eat fortified foods. It is common forproducts marketed to vegetarians to be fortified with B-12 for thisvery reason.> > Bacteria manufacture B-12 in our digestive system.> > Unfortunately, it's further along the line than the region whereB-12 is absorbed, so we can't rely on this source, either.> > If you eat meat, eggs and dairy products regularly, it's likely thatyou consume enough.> > I say "consume" because problems with absorbing B-12 are all too common.> > A substance called "intrinsic factor," produced in the stomach,binds to B-12 and renders it available to the body.> > If intrinsic factor is lacking, you can feast all day on foods highin B-12and still be deficient.> > And if you're eating a diet low in B-12 to start with, the resultscan be disastrous.> > This problem with absorption is why supplemental B-12 is generallygiven either by injection, in a sublingual tablet or -- believe it ornot -- in a nasal gel.> > If you have symptoms of B-12 deficiency, and especially if you are avegetarian or vegan, consult your doctor.> > http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20070516/NEWS/705160308/1005/SPORTS0106> > > > > Peter H > > > > > Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows theanswer. Tryit now.>