B vits

[debilana]

Do you guys think it is possible that newly into a raw diet that B vits may not be absorbed into the body as well as they should be? I have been high raw-100 percent for almost 4 months, and lately have been feeling tired at times...plus my tongue has some tiny little cracks in it, nothing major, but I have heard that is caused by B deficiencies. I was thinking of supplementing for a bit until I have been raw long enough I am more detoxed. What does everyone think?

Speaking of detox, I awoke in the middle of the night last night with clear mucus runing all down my nose n face- that was a first! I thought I was having a nosebleed! freaky:eek:

[irinam]

I supplement. I had before I went raw as well.

Though I might be a different case because I have been doing it it to keep my MS under control (studies show the huge importance of Thiamine and B12 for MS patients)

[jenjen]

if your not eating lots of bee pollen and sea weeds every day, than supplement. i eat those and supplement a couple times a week just to be safe.
j

[KatK]

I was thinking sprouted grains would be a good way to get more Bs while raw. Anyone had experience with this?

[Bananna]

Hmmm. That should work in theory...being that they are a good source cooked. I've heard that nutritional yeast has plenty too....
I have to question now though...if you have to supplement, than isn't that saying that this diet is insufficient? Which, it shouldn't be if it's 'ideal'. So now I'm a bit confused....
Anna

[Stina]

Hmmm. That should work in theory...being that they are a good source cooked. I've heard that nutritional yeast has plenty too....
I have to question now though...if you have to supplement, than isn't that saying that this diet is insufficient? Which, it shouldn't be if it's 'ideal'. So now I'm a bit confused....
Anna

A lot of us have damaged the integrity of our intestines from years of junk food, grains like rancid flours in particular, that affect the intrinsic factor, dealing with the ability to make B 12, hence the need for supplementation.
Besides, we're not eating bugs like the monkeys!

[Bananna]

Well I do understand the B12 thing...but I thought it was the whole B vitamin group.

[Stina]

dunno. Mayhaps the stress of the body dealing with thousands of chemicals unleashed in our environment?

[Eva]

I don't supplement, and I don't seem to be having deficiency problems.

[irinam]

Well I do understand the B12 thing...but I thought it was the whole B vitamin group.

You are correct. B vitamins work in conjunction with one another, so it's best to take a supplement that includes as many of them as possible B12 is just brought up the most often because of it's role in converting food into energy. And B12 deficiency symptoms are often lethargy and fatigue

B supplements are also not absorbed very well in the stomach and much goes to waste (gets peed out :) ) That's why you see such mega dozes (like thousands % of FDA recommended daily value) in the commercial supplements.

If the serious supplementation is needed it is usually administered via intramuscular injections.

[jaurequi]

I think all the B's can be gotten through fresh raw foods, except for B-12. Even meateaters are known to be deficient. From what I understand, in these days, everyone, meateaters included, should supplement with B-12.

Also, how you feel has no implication on your B-12 status. This is one of the reasons why even many RAW experts strongly recommend B-12 supplementation because in the majority cases of B-12 deficiency there are no symptoms. By the time it's able to be diagnosed, much damage is done, sometimes irreversible. It is very serious and this is why it is strongly urged by professionals and some nutritional experts. I believe, Alissa is one of them -- if I'm not mistaken.

Only way to continue not supplementing, if that's the way you want to proceed, is to get your blood levels checked regularly. Ask for an MMA test not the regular B-12 test.

Best,