Vitamin B-12 (diet, medical, meat)

[TheotherMarie]

And does nutritional yeast mean Vegemite/Marmite or maybe something like Bragg's?

[katzenfreund]

Nutritional yeast is available in the bulk sections of health food stores, or in cans or jars. It is a yellow flake type product that has a "cheesy" taste to it. You can also order it on Amazon or other mail order sites. Braggs does make some too!
Here is an example... https://smile.amazon.com/Now-Foods-N...ritional+yeast

[Old Folks]

My Dr recommended this brand which I take daily. https://www.amazon.com/VeganSafe-B-1...W7XA6VY4QHH04Q

I also use Sari Foods Natural Non-Fortified Nutritional Yeast Flakes. I buy this brand because
these are 100% natural, they are non-GMO and contain no MSG and Non-synthetic.

[DiscoTex]

I drink SILK Coconut Milk every day - 50% of B-12.

[jambo101]

Originally Posted by TheotherMarie

I have read that Vitamin B-12 is best absorbed by the body when it comes from a meat source.
Have any of you had issues with low B-12? How do you maintain your B-12 levels?

How does one know what ones vitamin B-12 level is?

[Threestep2]

Originally Posted by jambo101

How does one know what ones vitamin B-12 level is?

Get blood work done. Then discuss the results with your physician - everything is fine, you need shots?

[Mightyqueen801]

Thanks for the reminder to take my B-12. I forget.

My daughter is vegan and is also bipolar. During manic periods she has experienced some psychotic episodes (hearing/seeing things that aren't there, paranoia, memory loss) and I wondered if that could be partially due to lack of B-12 and asked her to check it out. She discussed it with her doc, and she takes a B-12 supplement along with her bp meds.

I was concerned because the bpd seemed to start to manifest itself after she became a vegan, but it is not the cause, of course. However, taking charge of one's mental health includes taking care of one's overall physical health. It's all connected.

[bg7]

basically sufficient levels of active B12 are not found in non-animal foods. Nutritional yeast, tofu, soy milk are often fortified with active B12 and its a good way to get it. The B12 used for fortifying (and that which ultimately ends up in animals) is obtained from bacteria-produced sources.


make sure you are getting enough B12 - its easy nowadays. As geranial said - not all nutritional yeast contains B12. This is because it has to have been fortified with B12 - so make sure your is.

[h_scott]

If you choose the supplement route be aware that there are differences in absorption rates for different forms of B12. I understand that methylcobalamin is better absorbed than straight B12 (cyanocobalamin). Many products are sublingual tabs as well.

[marieajarin]

I maintain it by taking multivitamins.