B12

[NicoleDaboin]

I know this may be a topic that has already been discussed to the ground, I'm not sure. Also, I bet a lot of you rolled your eyes just reading the subject, but this is really important to me right now and I need answers.

This is one of the most frequently asked questions to Alissa about this diet, because B12 comes from eating meat. On the front page of this board there is a section that Alissa wrote about B12 and it answers absolutely nothing.

I tried searching the archives and google and basically did not come up with anything positive. Basically, it looks like B12 comes mainly from meat and a few other things that raw foodists do not eat and it is very important vitamin! I know that you can be tested to see if you are deficient and you can supplement if you need to. However, this is just not sitting well with me, because if eating raw is the BEST and healthiest way to eat, supposedly giving your body absolutely everything it needs to thrive, why would raw foodists need to supplement for B12, something found in meat??????

And this raises the question of pregnancy... women wanting to become pregnant, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women all need a higher amount of B12 for healthy babies. So what is a raw foodist to do then?!

I did look at the garden diet people's website last night and they look like a wonderful and very healthy family. And I looked at her pregnancy pictures and the pictures of the baby. They look and seem very healthy. I just need some answers here. Please... and thank you :)

[spicyfull]

Hope you get your answers soon. There was an articles here a few weeks ago. I have never been tested for it but I will ask for it the next time I get Blood Work done. I just don't think about it, maybe I should...........

[Pierre]

According to my dulse bag, 5 g of dulse contains 17% of the DV of B12. (How many µg is that?)

[laurabfig]

According to my dulse bag, 5 g of dulse contains 17% of the DV of B12. (How many µg is that?)

isn't eating 5g of dulse a day a LOT though? (i can't seem to find ways to sneak it in that don't make me gag!) :)

i have these same concerns regarding b12 and even after searching all over the internet, have not come up with a good answer for my husband who keeps asking me where me and our children are going to get our b12 without eating dairy or meat. he even started giving our kids cow milk again.:eek:

i'd love to hear some long-time raw foodists contribute to this discussion. thanks for posting this topic.

[BrianC]

B12 is produced by bacteria in our digestive systems. Cows eat grass, not B12 supplements. I believe it is found in blue-green algae if you really feel the need to supplement.

[Tk2dsky]

I found this article very informitive: http://www.rawbc.org/articles/B12.html

[Solace]

Goji berries, have b12. I take a B complex that includes b12, I will keep taking it until I feel completely healed :) . Then I will decide if my body is healthy enough to get it from the food I eat.;) I have done enough long term research to believe this is the right answer for me.:cool:

[KatK]

B12 is produced by bacteria in our digestive systems. Cows eat grass, not B12 supplements. I believe it is found in blue-green algae if you really feel the need to supplement.

And dogs and cats manufacture their own vitamin C. How does that help us to understand what humans need?

[laurabfig]

I found this article very informitive: http://www.rawbc.org/articles/B12.html

Thanks for the link.

[tvillemom]

So, after reading this, who's taking a supplement??? AND if so, which one is the vegan alternative??
Wendi

[nzgirl]

I've been taking a vegan multi -vitamin that had the daily B12 for a long time. I don't really have a problem with vitamins as long as they're vegan. And I never knew what else to do about B12. I'll try to find dulse though.

[NicoleDaboin]

So basically, the article and other sources say vegans and raw foodists must supplement for B12, because it is necessecary and we are not getting it.

How does this sit well with you all? This doesn't make sense to me that raw food would be the BEST and healthiest way of eating if we are missing an essential vitamin that comes best from meat!

I've been raw for five weeks and I absolutely love it and I wanted to make this a part of my life forever, but I don't know if I can with this whole B12 thing......

[Solace]

So basically, the article and other sources say vegans and raw foodists must supplement for B12, because it is necessecary and we are not getting it.

How does this sit well with you all? This doesn't make sense to me that raw food would be the BEST and healthiest way of eating if we are missing an essential vitamin that comes best from meat!

I've been raw for five weeks and I absolutely love it and I wanted to make this a part of my life forever, but I don't know if I can with this whole B12 thing...... WE do not live in a perfect world, there used to be A LOT MORE veggies/fruits on the planet and I'm sure at one time many of them supplied B12 but now we are limited. That does not bother me. When it comes to having some supplements SO WHAT. It sure wont make me go back to eating MEAT !:eek:

[GreenPrince]

Gabriel Cousins is a reliable and insightful MD, way ahead of the times. I didn't know who he was, when he suddenly send me his Rainbow diet book twenty years ago (name-dropping...;) ). Well, since then I have been at the heels of his work. Although if I don't take any B12-supplements myself, I really support Gabriel's view.

The knowledge about B12 has increased the last ten years, but i think this is only the beginning, there is much more to find out.

I'm interested in a special issue.
Since B12 is mainly produced by bacteria as far as we know, I would to found out a way to produce B12-food in your own kitchen, like fermenting a product such as sauerkraut. Something you can eat in small amounts on a daily basis to guarantee an adequate B12 amount.

My dream for everyone in the future is a 100 % raw vegan option, completely free from B12-pills and dairy items.

If you find something of interest, please, write a line here and tell us.

[NicoleDaboin]

Goji berries, have b12. I take a B complex that includes b12, I will keep taking it until I feel completely healed :) . Then I will decide if my body is healthy enough to get it from the food I eat.;) I have done enough long term research to believe this is the right answer for me.:cool:


So goji berries have B12? How much? I have been hearing more and more good things about goji berries. They do not taste good at all though! But I guess I could put them in my morning power smoothie.

[jaurequi]

Some people claim to do well without a B-12 supplement. Problem is, if they don't 'know' this for a fact (meaning have been checked and regularly) they are just assuming because they "feel good."

Anyone willing to do such a potentially dangerous thing such as not supplement B-12 should not rely on faith in any diet. There is no telling what your individual needs may be or whether or not your intestines are harboring beneficial B-12, or whether you are absorbing it, etc.
If you want to be supplement-free, then be responsible and logical about it: go get your levels checked and have them checked regularly. This would be a small price to pay when the alternative could be nerve and/or brain damage which is irreversible. B-12 deficiency is not detected by way of symptoms (and often by doctors) until the damage has been done.

And the B-12 in seaweeds is not proved to be sufficient: it is suspected to be an analog, therefore, unreliable -- same with nutritional yeast.

For me, a B-12 supplement is nothing compared to irreversible damage. I don't care if some non-essential person in my life thinks it is "un-raw."

Best,

[Raspberry4]

Nicole - There are so many more benefits to eating raw food that missing bitamin b12 is not a reason to stop. Eating a high protein, no fruit, no carbs diet may or may not supply vitamin B12 - but there are no antioxidants, nor phytonutrients in this type of eating. If you do not eat vegetables or fruits there are NO other vitamins available that will help your immune system in just meat and dairy, and junk food. Please do not worry so much about that one aspect - if you want to supplement ask a local health food store for a vegan supply. You can also check with your doctor for a blood test to check B12 levels. Relax and enjoy the other benefits you will obtain from a raw food diet. You are doing a great thing for your body, soul, and spirit, and for the planet as well by eating fruits, veges, nuts, seeds.

[Stina]

Many meat eaters become deficient in B-12. Some older vegans never do. It has to do with the health of the intestines. Eating Raw creates a healthy environment for the intestines to sufficiently manufacture enough B-12.

[crawmommy]

I drink a vitality drink with B-12 in it.

[laurabfig]

Personally, I'd rather be safe than sorry. i bought some b12 vitamins today. :)

[Solace]

Many meat eaters become deficient in B-12. Some older vegans never do. It has to do with the health of the intestines. Eating Raw creates a healthy environment for the intestines to sufficiently manufacture enough B-12. I think if someone like Dr. Cousens says we more than likely need a b12 supplement= I think thats good enough, why on earth would you risk it WHY, because you don't want to take it. THAT makes no sense and is really silly and dangerous. If your body doesn't NEED it you will simply pee it out.

[anna-banana]

Nicole, check out the banana (search) for "methylcobalamin": there are some really good discussions within the last year regarding this form of b12 and people's experience. Still waiting for KarenIsRaw to respond to this query...the queen of B12. Check out http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=12905

[Solace]

So goji berries have B12? How much? I have been hearing more and more good things about goji berries. They do not taste good at all though! But I guess I could put them in my morning power smoothie.
They have b12 + ALL B's, Thats what my bag of them says but I can't find any other info saying so. ;) Also you only need a small amount like 2 tbls or so and Yes add them to things. I find if you even mix them with a handfull of other fruits/nuts they taste better. :D http://blog.tmcnet.com/B000FFLHSY/Navitas-Naturals-Sun-Dried-Authentic-Tibetan-Goji-Berries-16-Ounce-Pouch.htm

[mercystreet]

Soak 'em and put them into green smoothies with a banana base - I swear mine come out tasting like a malted shake :D

[SeaRose]

According to some nutrition books that I have, b12 is best taken in the form of cyanocobalamin, as part of a b complex. B vitamins work best together.

The recommended dosage is 10 - 40 micrograms. The problem with b12 is that it is not easily absorbed by the body, your digestive system has to be running optimally for it to be absorbed. So, yes, meat eaters can be deficient in b12, also the elderly, since they don't produce as much stomach acid.

Your best bet would be to stick with eating raw, supplementing with not only a b complex, but a probiotic and possibly some enzymes, of course this is just my opinion.

[NicoleDaboin]

Well, I will definitely start supplementing, but now it sounds like that will even be complicated! lol

I would really like someone to respond who has been through pregnancy while raw. B12 is so important for a baby's development, I would just like to talk with someone who went through the experience while staying 100% raw.

[KatK]

You might read some of Jinjee's stuff:

http://www.thegardendiet.com/

[Bechtel]

B12 is produced by bacteria in our digestive systems. Cows eat grass, not B12 supplements. I believe it is found in blue-green algae if you really feel the need to supplement.

Cows eat grass along with bugs, worms, etc. Same goes to the gorilla. If you would think there are no pure vegetarian in nature. I have been raw for almost 4 years. In the beginning I have experienced deficiency in B-12. Therefore, I do NOT take any chances hoping that some bacterias will synthesize B-12 in my butt. I am taking methylcobalamin every 2-3 days.