Vitamin B12

[VeroP]

I'm concerned about not getting enough B12. When we were vegan we had fortified soy milk. Now that we are raw, I'm concerned that we are not getting it.

Nutritional Yeast is a source - what else is available? How much do we need to consume? I understand that it is a vitamin that stores itself in your body and is used as needed, is this true? Does that mean we would not need it daily? Just enough over a period of time?

Thanks!

[Rawkinlocs]

Hi VeroP,

Well, depending on whom you ask, your answer will vary. Some will say they don't worry about it and that they've been raw for YEARS with no supplements and are thriving and not low in B12. Some say that if you live raw vegan long enough that you will use up your reserves and a deficiency will rear it's ugly head. Some say that you can get it from things like spirulina, not washing organically-grown produce to death but leave some of the soil on it, or that it will just be produced in a healthy gut. Some say to just pop a sublingual b12 supplement under the tongue every 6 months or so and be done with it if there's a concern.

So, take a look at the articles provided here: http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=17, do a quick search using our search feature to locate and follow past discussions about b12 and then from there, make the choice as to whether you will trust that you'll get it without supplementation or if you want to go ahead and be on the safe side and supplement. Many here do not advocate supplements...but many here do. Alissa uses a B12 supplement...just for the record.

[mercurial]

If you feel you are at risk for a B12 deficiency you can also seek a blood test to check levels through a health care practitioner. It's a bit extreme, but if you are at greater risk, like me (I was a slave to an SSRI for 8 years, which causes B12 deficiency), I must get tested over the next year whether raw or not :(

I only mention it as another alternative if you aren't comfortable with supplements or cannot tolerate them (B's tend to be hard on the tummy and can cause nausea and vomiting).