B12 information

[Guest guest]

Hi Fraggle

 

I was reading up on B12 and quote the following from The Vegan

Society webpage on nutrition:

 

`A blood B12 level measurement is a very unreliable test for vegans,

particularly for vegans using any form of algae.§ Algae and some

other plant foods contain B12-analogues (false B12) that can imitate

true B12 in blood tests while actually interfering with B12

metabolism. Blood counts are also unreliable as high folate intakes

suppress the anaemia symptoms of B12 deficiency that can be detected

by blood counts. Blood homocysteine testing is more reliable, with

levels less than 10 mmol/litre being desirable.§ The most specific

test for B12 status is methylmalonic acid (MMA) testing. If this is

in the§ normal range in blood (<370 nmol/L) or urine (less than 4

mg /mg creatinine) then your body has enough B12. Many doctors still

rely on blood B12 levels and blood counts. These are not adequate,

especially in vegans.'

 

`This is not however the end of the story. Most vegans show adequate

B12 levels to make clinical deficiency unlikely but nonetheless show

restricted activity of B12 related enzymes, leading to elevated

homocysteine levels. Strong evidence has been gathered over the past

decade that even slightly elevated homocysteine levels increase risk

of heart disease and stroke and pregnancy complications.'

 

'Is there a vegan alternative to B12-fortified foods and supplements?

 

If for any reason you choose not to use fortified foods or

supplements you should recognise that you are carrying out a

dangerous experiment - one that many have tried before with

consistently low levels of success.'

 

For the whole article visit

http://www.vegansociety.com/html/food/nutrition/b12/