B12 (also called cobalamin due to its central cobalt atom) is a water-soluble vitamin. Daily recommended intake requirement is about 2-3 micrograms, which is VERY low. B12 is stored in the liver, kidneys and muscle tissue and most B12 is reabsorbed by the body (as opposed to being excreted). A deficiency takes from 5 to 20 years of inadequate B12 intake to develop.
B12 is manufactured by the BACTERIA living symbiotically inside the bodies of all mammals and other animals. The BACTERIA living inside a cow is the reason steak contains B12. All of the Vitamin B12 in the world ultimately comes from bacteria, since neither plants nor animals can synthesise it.
Symptoms of B12 deficiency include:
– Weakness, tiredness, or lightheadedness;
– Heart palpitations and shortness of breath;
– Pale skin;
– A smooth tongue;
– Constipation, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, or gas;
– Nerve problems like numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, and problems walking, and
– Vision loss.
B12 deficiency is pretty SERIOUS if left unattended for a LONG period of time and there is a slight challenge in identifying GENUINE B12 deficiency, since a few of the symptoms above are pretty general detox symptoms.
It’s a complete misconception that only vegans and vegetarians suffer from B12 deficiency [1]. If anything, eating a diet high in animal products is MORE LIKELY to result in B12 deficiency [2] (see refs below).
Nearly two-fifths of the U.S. population may be B12 deficient, if the population of Framingham, Massachusetts is any indication. The Framingham Offspring Study of 3,000 men and women found 39 percent with plasma B12 levels in the “low normal” range i.e. below 258 picomoles per litre. However “the researchers found no association between plasma B12 levels and meat, poultry and fish intake, even though these foods supply the bulk of B12 in the diet” [1].
In fact, meat eaters are likely to have up to 1,000 times the serum B12 levels (i.e. how much B12 is in the bloodstream) when compared to people consuming a plant based diet. And yet there is no correlation between the rates of clinical B12 deficiency and the high serum B12 levels demonstrated amongst meat eaters. BUT HOW CAN THIS BE??
It’s because B12 deficiency is to do with ASSIMILATION, not a LACK of B12.
The B12 producing bacteria in the human body produce MUCH more than we use, around FOUR times as much, in fact the body’s got plenty of B12 available, however optimal B12 absorption CANNOT happen if the GI tract doesn’t support friendly intestinal flora (impacted gut biome), or if the GI tract is covered with a deep layer of mucus and undigested proteins (colonic plaque). Most bodies are really inefficient due to years, if not decades, of eating wrong foods and living toxic lifestyles.
I don’t recommend b12 supplementation. I experimented with supplementing B12 for quite a few years: sublingual tablets (on and off over 18 months) and B12 injections (for 6 months). I’ve since learned that B12 injections are very damaging to the adrenals, so I’m glad I listened to my gut instinct and stopped when I did.
I NO LONGER SUPPLEMENT because:
– I didn’t feel any different with or without the B12;
– I also haven’t felt BAD or ‘deficient’ in any way (I listened to my body);
– I learned about B12 deficiency, how it works and came to the conclusion that I just don’t NEED IT (having deeply researched the subject).
HOWEVER
I strongly advise you to experiment with supplementing B12 if you have any fear around this subject, or any resistance to NOT supplementing, and
EXPERIMENT – let your body TELL you what it wants. Don’t just do something because SOCIETY tells you to do it. Supplementation is largely a MYTH. It’s NOT how the body brings itself back into balance, in fact all supplementation brings the body further OUT OF BALANCE.
Go into this with AWARENESS and use your discernment. Get blood work done, see where you’re at with B12 levels.
Don’t supplement B12 JUST because you’re vegan.
Big love,
Alice
REFERENCES
[1]
*** Ignore the bits about cereal fortification in this article…
[2] ‘Fit for Life’, Diamond, H. and M., 1987
*Filmed March 2018*
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