Why Do I Keep Reading...

[JGex]

... that so many folks eating raw are also taking B12 shots? I tried searching the forums, but didn't see anything that specifically addressed my question.

[JGex]

I am reading Alissa's posts in the "Need to know" section now..... but I am still interested why so many seem to be having to take shots.....

[Rawkinlocs]

I don't recall reading that many take "shots"...but rather they take supplements in a pill form. I know that some feel that b-12 simply cannot be obtained from a plant-based diet, so they "say" we who are vegans or raw vegans will at some point "have" to take a b12 supplement in order to get it or else risk becoming deficient in it.

There are have been numerous arguments as to whether or not a b12 supplement is necessary...some say it is pertinant if one is to be healthy on a raw vegan (or even cooked vegan) diet...some say there is simply no need...that all one has to do is eat sea veggies or eat organic, fresh-from-the-ground produce and don't clean it to death as there is b12 in the organic soil, to eat nutritional yeast or that our bodies create b12. And then someone else will come and counter ALL of those arguments and say that it can't be assimilated in those forms.

So, there are many who just decided that IF they want to remain vegan by not consuming any animal products, that rather than risk it, they will simply take the supplement a few times a year or what have you.

[Gwena]

Yeah, I'm one of the folks who doesn't want to risk the B-12 thing. However, my system may be just fine without it.

All folks have a store of B-12 that lasts anywhere from 3 years on up. It depends on the person. Some vegans and raw-vegans run out of their stores of B-12 and have problems. Some vegans and raw-vegans never ever have problems. My boyfriend has been a vegan for 5 years, and believes B-12 is all a state of mind. He's never had any issues. I'm a bit less confident and take a sublingual supplement just in case.

Hope this helps.

[Conscious Midwife]

Hey I don't think I've posted about it but I periodically get B-12 injections and actually have a dose waiting at the pharmacy now.

I started doing it, again periodically, years ago after frequent bouts of iorn anemia. The shots help me absorb iorn from my foods better, where as iorn supplements always made me constipated. I also like the "perceived" energy boost. It may be a placebo, but as a mother of 5 I'll go for that right now.

My MD is like :confused: :) when it comes to B12 'cause he has a few rare birds that request it and so he writes the Rx and we bring it to his nurse for the injection.

Maybe when I succeed at RAW 100% without any transitionary moments I won't perceive the need!!! :D

[JGex]

Thanks for the answers, ladies!

Gwena, I'm like you; I want to know what to expect or look for in the nutrition area so I can properly compensate. I know very healthy vegans, and very anemic vegans. Now I want to know what they are doing that makes them that way.

Judy <--- curiouser & curiouser

[Ariannah]

I think B12 deficiency (in my non-scientific opinion) has nothing to do with lack of animal products or lack of B12 in the diet.

My own mother-in-law has a relative who is not vegan or even vegetarian who had a B12 deficiency. I asked her point blank, "Is she vegan or vegetarian?" She said no.

So, I'm pretty unconcerned about B12, myself. I do like the occasional bit of Nori or Dulse, but not much.

[sungoddess]

does nori and dulse have active B12 in it????

[lissomllama]

Personally, I know that raw veganism is the way humans were meant to naturally live and eat so there is no way it could be deficient in anything. I get everything I need from fruits, veggies, leafy greens, nuts and seeds. I have complete faith in this lifestyle to know it is complete (and more). I don't need or want any sort of suppliment, synthetic or otherwise. But we are all different.

[dreamrawalwz]

i don't think it's lack of the nutrient from food, but rather the body is too toxic/impaired to absorb it.

[Rawkinlocs]

i don't think it's lack of the nutrient from food, but rather the body is too toxic/impaired to absorb it.

I feel the same way about my "low iron"...I was diagnosed with anemia even when eating a cooked food, meat and dairy-laden diet so I strongly feel it's lack of absorption too!

[Ariannah]

I completely agree. When I went raw, I rejected society's need to obsess over the "nutrient du jour". It's not natural to be microanalyzing every bite that goes into our stomach.

I see people buying product after product because they buy into the scaremongering that without such and such a "new product" they will suddenly become diseased and deficient, and their bones will crumble and they'll be pale and anemic.

All the calcium, b12, protein, and nutrient hype is something that is worlds apart from the way I think nowadays.

A body that is healthy will reject disease.

[JGex]

Just to clarify, by "properly compensate" I mean that I want to be sure I eat well... not necessarily that I think i need to buy a bunch of supplements.

Generally, I eat a very balanced diet and I feel good, but it never hurts to educate further on the finer points of nutrition and food combining.

:D

[Gwena]

Due to my own experience, I agree with JGex. I do my best to eat a balanced diet, but B-12 does appear to be an issue in raw circles so I've chosen to investigate it. However, not everyone is going to be affected by it.

Dr. Gabriel Cousins is actually trying to find a proper way to supplement the stuff cuz so many raw vegans are running into problems such as nerve damage and memory loss from lack of B-12. I'm sure the same folks would probably have issues with B-12 while on a SAD diet as well.

I've also done a lot of reading on analog B-12 which is the stuff found in sea veggies. It isn't real B-12 and actually "pushes" regular B-12 out of the way making a person even more deficient of B-12 if they are already lacking.

With all this said, I believe it's an individual thing. Besides, there's way too little research on raw veganism to say we need it or we don't.

My suggestion. . . keep researching, reading, experiencing and figuring it out for yourself. As we can all see, many of us have differing views that come from personal experience. And that's exactly how it should be, cuz we are all different.

I think that the wading through opinions, ideas, and personal experiences on this raw thing is all a part of our indivdual raw journies. So, I wish all the best as you figure the B-12 thing out for yourselves. :)

[Ariannah]

One website I find very inspirational about letting raw food enable the body to be its own healer is here:

http://www.rawschool.com/basics.htm

and this one:

http://www.rawschool.com/nutrientdeficiency.htm

Her whole website has a plethora of information, and a philosophy I tend to agree with.

[Nectarine]

Wheatgrass contains just about everything the human body needs for optimal good health. I use it as insurance just in case, and it's extremely effective at detoxifying and cleaning out the body too. In my opinion, if you're a raw vegan, you should supplement with wheatgrass in one form or another...that is, fresh, powdered or tablet.

[Nectarine]

Further, in my own experience, my body is able to assimilate the 'b' vitamins better than it was able to when I used to take a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement, regardless of whether it came in tablet or liquid form. As you may know, 'b' vitamins are water-soluble, and if one takes more vitamin b than the body requires, the body will simply get rid of it next time you visit the bathroom. You can tell your body isn't using it all from the change of colour in 'your water' to a bright neon yellow. You're literally pissing your money away. Whereas, with wheatgrass, I can tell my body is actually able to completely assimilate and utilize the complex of 'b' vitamins that wheatgrass contains, as my water continues to remain clear.

[Naturallynice]

My father in law was in his 70s. He is a maverick. He would eat meat in a social gathering, (once or twice a year), otherwise vegetarian, but he would consume a 70% raw diet. His breakfast is vast amount of fruits, and he can eat loads of salad. He is Greek, so very fond of his olive oil, his green salad would swim in it!!! :eek:

He is very active too, goes hiking in the mountains twice a week if not more and walks everywhere. And he is as thin as a rake. Muscular, but thin.

Now, a few yeas ago, he HAD B12 deficiency and he had to have shots. I don't know if he continues to have them.

Why I say that? Well, he had cheese and eggs on an ad hoc basis, and still got B12 deficiency.

My very active MIL on the other hand, in her early 70s, is strict vegan, 70% raw, hasn't developed B12 defeciency.

It seems you either gonna get or you won't.

Esther

[Nectarine]

The way I look at it, you may or may not eventually fall ill from eating an entirely cooked food diet. Many people reach 100 years old on a cooked food diet, and they remain as fit as the proverbial fiddle to boot. Nevertheless, raw food is better for you, hence why we are all here...because of our affinity for ensuring that we achieve, and continue to enjoy, the best of health. Similarly, one should protect themselves against any type of deficiency, regardless of whether or not it is certain that one will develop a deficiency further down the road...that is if they care about their health in the long-term. :)

[Raspberry4]

I developed a B-12 deficiency when I was eating meat several times a day! I think it might have been from my GERD medication. Anyway...you can ask your doctor for a blood level if you are concerned.

[trinity082482]

I used to get B-12 shots. Now I eat b-12 dissolving strips.