Warning: Potentially Life Threatening Vitamin Deficiency Affects 25% of Adults

re: Warning: Potentially Life Threatening Vitamin Deficiency Affects 25% of Adults

helpful — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:20:10 GMT

Does anyone know how long the B12 receptor blocking effect lasts after you ingest B12 analog plant based foods or supplements? Are we talking hours, days, weeks?

I have been taking a green drink in the morning (organic wheat grass powder, barley grass powder, alfalfa grass powder, and spirulina) as a nice source of nutrients. However since all of those ingredients are considered B12 analogs, now I am concerned that they may be blocking my ability to absorb B12 from animal based protein foods that I am eating at lunch and dinner. I'd like to be able to continue to take the green drink but not if it is creating a B12 deficiency.

I have been struggling with a lot of the symptoms attributed to a B12 deficiency, and I am now wondering if the green drink might be doing more harm than good, if it is blocking absorption of real animal protein based B12 throughout the day.

Would appreciate input on this, and any articles or studies that might help to clarify the blocking effect.

Thanks,

Hoku

re: Warning: Potentially Life Threatening Vitamin Deficiency Affects 25% of Adults

Apoztel — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:07:27 GMT

I hear a lot about getting your nutrients (Omega-3s, calcium, Vitamin B12, Iron) from animals, but I have a serious question; how do the animals get them?

re: Warning: Potentially Life Threatening Vitamin Deficiency Affects 25% of Adults

myfitlife — Sat, 23 May 2009 18:27:44 GMT

What about raw wheat germ or milled flax seeds?

Northern Edge, a Canada based company claims that their raw wheat germ and milled flaxseeds contain the complete complex of b vitamins, including vitamin b12.

re: Warning: Potentially Life Threatening Vitamin Deficiency Affects 25% of Adults

abbasdaughter — Sat, 23 May 2009 09:15:30 GMT

... yet 1 more thing docs should be checking for (along w/ thyroid levels) before doling out anti-depressants.

re: Warning: Potentially Life Threatening Vitamin Deficiency Affects 25% of Adults

cher bear — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:35:59 GMT

I have celiac disease, and I went undiagnosed for many years. This resulted in me being vitamin deficient. I had a severe case of B12 deficiency, I had peripheral neuropathy, it affected both of my lower legs so bad that anything that touched them would cause excruciating pain. Even my socks, pants, sheets and blankets would cause severe pain. I have been using the mercola B12 spray for 6 months now, and my peripheral neuropathy symptoms are gone. I am full of energy and I feel great. This B12 spray is great, I recommend it to anyone looking for a B12 supplement.

re: Warning: Potentially Life Threatening Vitamin Deficiency Affects 25% of Adults

healthcoach_3 — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:16:49 GMT

I can't remember when I last met a vegan or vegetarian that looked healthy, and most of them are even knowledge-seeking people. I finally understand why. Thanks to the education on this blog, I will be remiss if I do not discuss Vitamin B12 with them in the future. To each his/her own as to how they choose to live their lives nutritionally, but it's been my experience not enough people realize being a vegan is not a hobby and you better know what you're doing before you give up meat.

re: Warning: Potentially Life Threatening Vitamin Deficiency Affects 25% of Adults

EveGotch — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:15:01 GMT

I've been a vegan and pregnant or breastfeeding mother through 2 kids now, both have above average intelligence (due to high mineral content diet and no toxic chemicals found in meat and diary products) and are thriving young children! No indication that the vegan diet is harmful whatsoever! I do include the natural source of b12 (bacteria) in my diet in the form of fermented foods such as nutritional yeast, cultured veggies such as saurkraut and kombucha!

re: Warning: Potentially Life Threatening Vitamin Deficiency Affects 25% of Adults

EveGotch — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:31:20 GMT

All of the Vitamin B12 in the world ultimately comes from bacteria. Neither plants nor animals can synthesize it. But plants can be contaminated with B12 when they come in contact with soil bacteria that produce it. Animal foods are rich in B12 only because animals eat foods that are contaminated with it or because bacteria living in an animal's intestines make it. The vegan diet is the healthiest diet for a human.

re: Warning: Potentially Life Threatening Vitamin Deficiency Affects 25% of Adults

yooperchick — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:16:26 GMT

I came down with epstein barr about 15 years ago and have suffered from fatigue ever since. I feel crummy everyday. I can fall asleep on a dime, but never feel refreshed in the morning. I don't think I ever get into a deep sleep. Only in the dream state. Nothing has helped me, but I purchased Mercola's B-12 spray a couple weeks ago. I have to admit, I don't feel more energetic, but I have been sleeping A LOT better. I still feel tired in the morning, but my sleep has been a much deeper one.

re: Warning: Potentially Life Threatening Vitamin Deficiency Affects 25% of Adults

AwakenedHeart — Thu, 21 May 2009 01:28:39 GMT

Do you remember when the only phrase we heard as kids was, "just go outside and play, get some sunshine, you will feel better"? Well I found out this past couple of years just how true that statement is. When we speak of Vitamin deficiency and especially the B Vitamins...it does open the system to the cancer...and mine was uterine cancer. Fortunately I was using ultimate health water and flushing out toxins, but I also realized I had been INDOORS writing and living on computer for way too long. My doctor took a detailed blood testing, and hormones,--a full panel. She saw just how LOW my Vitamin B was, off the cliff. So Yes, take all fo the B's and get your gentle 'glow' outside while playing in the sunshine! I am now well, younger, and more hydrated, with that gentle glow myself:)

Jeannie

www.UltimateHealthWater.com when our health is our Jewel!

re: Warning: Potentially Life Threatening Vitamin Deficiency Affects 25% of Adults

simpol — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:55:29 GMT

Does anyone have any data regarding the absorbsion of B12 sublingually?

I am diabetic, vegetarian, taking Metformin, have peripheral neuropathy, and memory issues.

I have been taking 1000mcg B12 sublingually, when I remember. The brand used adds only lactose and acaia gum.

How much is too much? What happens if you get too much B12?

Thanks

re: Warning: Potentially Life Threatening Vitamin Deficiency Affects 25% of Adults

Bill Pleasants — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:42:18 GMT

"Supplementation: Science Develops a Better Way to Replenish Your B12 Stores

Part of the reason vitamin B12 is so difficult to absorb and requires an additional protein is because it is a massively large molecule when compared with the other vitamins. It is far larger than any other vitamin and requires extraordinary measures to actually push this molecule into your blood.

Since the primary challenge your body faces in absorbing vitamin B12 is the large size of the molecule, a B12 delivery system which shrinks the molecules makes perfect sense.

Science has recently developed a technology that can reduce the effective size of the vitamin B12 molecule and help you absorb this molecule into the fine capillaries under your tongue. The delivery system for these microscopic droplets of vitamin B12 is a fine mist you spray into your mouth.

This delivery system bypasses the intrinsic factor problem and is much easier, safer and less painful than a vitamin B12 shot."

I don't understand the scientific theory of this statement which I assume refers to B-12 Energy Booster sold by mercola.com. A particular molecule is a specific assemblage of elements. Reduce the size and it is not the same molecule. How is effective size reduced with the size unchanged? Even a microscopic droplet would contain many molecules. The label mentions NanoSynergy Delivery System. The spray droplets are obviously much larger than nanometers so this is not the special Delivery System. Must be the chemical formulation, maybe combined with intrinsic factor, but this is not listed in the ingredients. I would appreciate learning how this product is superior to any other sublingual B-12.

re: Warning: Potentially Life Threatening Vitamin Deficiency Affects 25% of Adults

Kathy6789 — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:55:40 GMT

I decided tried to take B12. It worked for a couple days - actually helped me to feel a little bit stronger. The fourth day, I collapsed. Literally, it was almost impossible to get out of bed for a week. I don't know if I was "deficient" to begin with. I do have many severe allergies and this vitamin has thousands percentages more than the RDA. Subsequently, I've tried a multi-Bvitamin. Indigestion and, of course, very dark urine - didn't feel any different, but after two days, I was in sad shape again. Any thoughts about overdosing or allergies?

re: Warning: Potentially Life Threatening Vitamin Deficiency Affects 25% of Adults

peacerebelgirl — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:57:28 GMT

I've lived in many parts of India - north and south. It is not a predominately vegetarian country - that it a myth. The Jains practice strict vegetarianism, but many Indians eat meat, esp. chicken and mutton. Malnutrition is prevalent, paralleling poverty in so many.

re: Warning: Potentially Life Threatening Vitamin Deficiency Affects 25% of Adults

caderochambeau — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:33:42 GMT

Regarding food sources of vitamin B12 - in the vegetable world it is found, apparently in sprouts. (No, not Brussels sprouts, the other variety) This is according to Rita Romano in Dining in the the Raw. On the other hand I do not know how much you would have to eat to get all that you need but I guess that adding sprouts to our diet would help us get what we need.