http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d?format=rss Tribe.net. Local Connections http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#cf8186fb-8033-47c5-96f0-79d524d29381 Bottom line, even if there are small amounts of B12 in plant matter, humans (not having the digestive systems of cows and other herbivores) cannot absorb it. Alas, we are not true herbivores - which can already be seen by the fact that, unlike cows, we cannot digest cellulose and get nutrition from, say, grass. I understand that some people choose to live without any animal products, but they still need to accept the limitations of the human digestive system or risk severe nutritional deficiencies. So, if you're a strict vegan, please take a B-12 supplement. I understand about not wanting to get anything made from meat or dairy or eggs, but there are supplements made from bacteria or yeasts; hopefully those are more ethically acceptable. Such supplements are also better than unenriched brewer's yeast or miso or tempeh or other foods that *can* contain B12 (due to contained yeasts or fungi), because in those foods B12 *can* occur, but it doesn't always and amounts can vary a lot. A supplement, or B12-enriched foods, are safer because someone actually makes *sure* there's B12 on board. (I drink a B12-enriched vanilla soy milk that is very yummy!) Also, for the original poster, I second the recommendations to get some bloodwork done to see what you're really lacking. You may have an iron deficiency, or lack other B vitamins, or such. Better to be sure! Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:51:27 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#cf8186fb-8033-47c5-96f0-79d524d29381 Neurite 2007-10-26T16:51:27Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#71b8d14a-1d8e-473e-a4b5-692e5e84e604 Your comment intrigued me so I went hunting around the web for more info. While what you say is true, I am not sure that the B12 that exists in plant matter is accessible much to our digestive tracts. .... Here's a quote and a link. "Very small amounts of vitamin B12 have been found in plants grown in soil treated with manure (9). It is not clear whether this vitamin B12 is the active form or the inactive analogue. In any case, the amounts are so small that more than 23 cups of organically grown spinach would have to be eaten every day in order to meet the adult RDA for vitamin B12 (9,10)." http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/b12.htm Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:13:02 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#71b8d14a-1d8e-473e-a4b5-692e5e84e604 C'est 2007-10-19T16:13:02Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#dc9edd87-36b9-40a8-b6a3-f6f2ea82c529 B-12 is found in organic plant matter, don't let anyone fool you. How do you think it ends up in animal products? From their sources of food. Thu, 18 Oct 2007 02:50:35 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#dc9edd87-36b9-40a8-b6a3-f6f2ea82c529 Chris 2007-10-18T02:50:35Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#9b71745c-bfd3-4db8-a3d8-97cb5690f275 $.02 : Check with a DR, get a blood test to make sure that's really the problem? Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:45:01 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#9b71745c-bfd3-4db8-a3d8-97cb5690f275 NOok 2007-10-15T22:45:01Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#d61b7a58-21f7-4854-86c3-bdab162292dc An important think to keep in mind with B12 is that it only absorbs in a certain part of the digestive track and if conditions are not -just so-, the absorption is interrupted. There is also a catch22 involved: if you don't get enough B12, this part of the system stops working right. So, if the high B12 foods don't help, you may want to reach for a sublingual form of B12: just skip the digestive track. This is what I had to do. I get at at Trader Joe's. It's tasty, and dissolves fast: perfect for us lazy folks! Sun, 14 Oct 2007 22:28:16 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#d61b7a58-21f7-4854-86c3-bdab162292dc $item.owner.firstName 2007-10-14T22:28:16Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#9b2695e3-786e-4225-9522-e11c59af0036 I just take a sublingual B12 supplement everyday. Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:34:40 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#9b2695e3-786e-4225-9522-e11c59af0036 simple songs 2007-10-02T16:34:40Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#65e29d93-5521-4058-b312-b6d936bd7d5e Oh, nevermind....I was thinking of vegetarian sources, which can include dairy products. But you are right, veggies don't have b12. Gah, its early. Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:56:04 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#65e29d93-5521-4058-b312-b6d936bd7d5e Nurse Lisa 2007-10-02T14:56:04Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#830d3ab5-0609-4238-ad3e-4db38a0611d0 Ummm, yeah okay, whatever. Where did you get your ridiculously untrue information, Dustin? Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:46:22 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#830d3ab5-0609-4238-ad3e-4db38a0611d0 Nurse Lisa 2007-10-02T14:46:22Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#446e0580-eae3-4e67-8d48-c33751a1fbd0 Sushi! Tue, 02 Oct 2007 06:29:10 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#446e0580-eae3-4e67-8d48-c33751a1fbd0 Elaine~ 2007-10-02T06:29:10Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#990c1ea2-f4d6-4bb1-ad35-b2b1758d8eff b12 from veg sources are unusable by the human body Tue, 02 Oct 2007 03:47:57 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#990c1ea2-f4d6-4bb1-ad35-b2b1758d8eff Dustin (El Guano) 2007-10-02T03:47:57Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#f9929e10-af0c-47b5-87c4-1443324570fa apperently mollusks are good, now don't those sound yummy? a nice big bowl of mollusks..... seared tuna beef tenderloin buffalo tenderloin salmon, wild and fresh dairy products.... ntohign complicated and if you have to microwave I wouldn't reccomend it. (: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 03:23:25 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#f9929e10-af0c-47b5-87c4-1443324570fa $item.owner.firstName 2007-10-02T03:23:25Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#96f35bbf-1482-4ea1-bfed-ee2f534e45d8 I read that spirulina has B12. I put it in smoothies. Tue, 02 Oct 2007 03:09:43 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#96f35bbf-1482-4ea1-bfed-ee2f534e45d8 simple songs 2007-10-02T03:09:43Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#5d3f926a-e0c0-459a-9b0a-70ddf2cba617 raw colostrum kephir by Organic Pastures. Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:28:51 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#5d3f926a-e0c0-459a-9b0a-70ddf2cba617 Shanti 2007-10-01T04:28:51Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#f7aae447-7e20-43ad-8269-9db22204f6d9 I suggest kefir. It covers both protein and B12, and the live beneficial bacteria in it help boost your immune system. Plus it's yummy! I like to add peanut butter to it, but p[lain is also good, and there are sweetened varieties if you like it that way. It's at most health food stores, and also Trader Joe's (in LA anyway...) Wed, 26 Sep 2007 07:55:54 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#f7aae447-7e20-43ad-8269-9db22204f6d9 Jewel 2007-09-26T07:55:54Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#edadb5da-c0b1-4121-8bff-633381f20588 Thank you so much Kelly for asking about this. I have the same problem and recently was hospitalized because my B-12 was so low. I see now, from the responses here, how I got that low, and what I need to do to keep healthy. I have been really feeling dizzy and faint lots of times after working out at the gym. This is really going to be challenging to me since I am working hard to loss weight too. Thank you to everyone for the information. Wed, 26 Sep 2007 03:16:18 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#edadb5da-c0b1-4121-8bff-633381f20588 Dolly 2007-09-26T03:16:18Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#db56aaae-9426-4ceb-95e9-9bf14833b444 Guiness really *is* good for you!!! Tue, 25 Sep 2007 19:09:06 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#db56aaae-9426-4ceb-95e9-9bf14833b444 Nurse Lisa 2007-09-25T19:09:06Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#11d76dc3-1fca-4c8b-b53b-ad86fe0ca37f Unfiltered beer has lots of B12. :D Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:44:26 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#11d76dc3-1fca-4c8b-b53b-ad86fe0ca37f Tri 2007-09-25T18:44:26Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#03043368-b07b-465e-a9cf-41ba1b086c44 I was "diagnosed" with the same condition a few years ago and a lack of B12 is not the only culprit! You need to increase your protein intake (especially in the morning) and decrease your sugar intake. If you'll be eating anything with sugar, even natural sugar found in fruit, it's a good idea to match with some protein. Example: Eat some seeds with an apple, instead of just an apple. Refined foods generally have a low glycemic index and you'll want to be aware of your intake of those as well: think white flurs and sugars, caffeine, etc. These foods cause your glucose levels to spike and drop creating dizziness, shakes and an urgency to eat. When this happens you need protein to stabilize combined with a natural sugar to bring you back fast. Don't excersise on an empty stomach, or pu yourself in situations where you won't have access to food for long periods of time. Carry an energy bar, or some trail mix with dried fruit or whatever with you all the time, at least in the beginning of your "treatment" and eat it as soon as the symptoms start. Chromium is a supplement that, combined with a good diet, will really help hypoglycemia clear up. I barley deal with it anymore. Disclaimer: I'm not an expert, this is just stuff I have learned over the years from books, my naturopath and own experience! Bonne chance! Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:24:05 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#03043368-b07b-465e-a9cf-41ba1b086c44 Stephanie 2007-09-25T18:24:05Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#81aa9aa2-0195-4608-ac72-78d3c37a22ac Nutritional Yeast is an awesome form of protein and vitamins, especially the B-complex vitamins. Some brands are fortified with B12, though I'm not sure which ones. It has a nutty, cheesy, creamy flavor and sold in a flaky form that you can sprinkle on just about anything. I buy mine at a local health food store or my co-op. My kids love it on pasta, popcorn, pizza, veggies... Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:06:59 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#81aa9aa2-0195-4608-ac72-78d3c37a22ac Melissae 2007-09-25T13:06:59Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#56fbe2e9-fee7-45ff-9734-d3f6c10305b5 the largest amounts of B12 are found in brewers yeast, clams, eggs, herring, kidney, mackerel, milk and dairy products, and seafood. It is not really found in vegetables. so you should be fine if you eat fish a few times a week, and incorporate eggs for breakfast. If you are a strict vegetarian you should take a B12 supplement. If you take anti-gou meds, anti-coagulant drugs, or potasium supplements, these things block apsorbsion and you can get a supplement that dissolves under you tongue. hope this helps! Sat, 22 Sep 2007 18:11:28 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#56fbe2e9-fee7-45ff-9734-d3f6c10305b5 julia rose 2007-09-22T18:11:28Z http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#77eb789a-574e-461b-b8ad-5484c79a5301 I have recently discovered from a nurse (informall) that I may be anemic or hypoglycemic. The sign is that I get woosy and dizzy when I do any kind of physical activity. The nurse told me it's because I don't have enough vitamin B12 in my diet. Could anyone tell me some recipes or ways I can incorporate lots of this vitamin into my diet? Sat, 22 Sep 2007 15:31:19 GMT http://healthylazy.tribe.net/thread/31f6b40a-3d02-46a3-9c63-a0ed71e7786d#77eb789a-574e-461b-b8ad-5484c79a5301 Kelly 2007-09-22T15:31:19Z