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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?
Personally, I have not had issues with low B-12 as a vegan, but that is due to active, daily supplementation. A lack of B-12 has dire consequences that I don't want to mess with. We supplement with Nutritional Yeast, B-12 tabs, and a vegan multi-vitamin daily. It is not an issue limited to a veg diet. Those who are elderly, or people with celiac and other diseases can also be low in B-12 levels, and the symptoms can come on slowly and be sneaky to diagnose offhand.
Last edited by SquirrelKate; 06-04-2016 at 06:47 PM..
Here, here. Some may not even need a supplement and can find it in foods. Although of course, as a vegan/vegetarian may be hard to obtain. I have found that nutritional yeast and "fortified" milks and cereal also can contain the vitamin. Certainly nutritional yeast. But a good multivitamin could help as well that has B-12 or a B-12 supplement itself.
I used to worry over this until I learned that B12 can stay in your body for years. It's actually pretty unusual for anyone to have a B12 deficiency unless they've been a strict vegan for a long time. Every now and then I will eat some cheese or wild salmon, and that's enough B12 to keep me tanked up. I do still supplement when I buy vitamins, which is an on-off again thing w/ me. I'd much rather get my nutrients in healthy foods.
I had b12 issues a little over a year ago, but it was my own fault for not taking better care of myself, especially after 3 pregnancies and breastfeeding for 8 years straight as a veg'n. Certain animal products are rich in b12, but the vitamin is degraded a but during cooking. Soy milk, tofu, and fortified breakfast cereals will provide all most people need for b12, but it is a good idea to have your levels checked now and then.
I used to worry over this until I learned that B12 can stay in your body for years. It's actually pretty unusual for anyone to have a B12 deficiency unless they've been a strict vegan for a long time. Every now and then I will eat some cheese or wild salmon, and that's enough B12 to keep me tanked up. I do still supplement when I buy vitamins, which is an on-off again thing w/ me. I'd much rather get my nutrients in healthy foods.
My husband, a meat eater, had blood work done recently and he is low in B12, so maybe it's not that uncommon?
Since he already eats meat, I thought I'd ask here to see how you all handle it, thinking I could add something to his diet that wasn't more meat.
So, since some of you just take supplements, can you recommend one you like?
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