B-12 is generally necessary for animal life, so there would have to be some B-12 in meat- but it's true: meat eaters are sometimes lacking in B-12.
Will your doctor do that for you?
Nutrition & Diet Vitamin B12 - Recommended Dosage ?
- Thread starter mary1
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My understanding is that B12 is water soluble, so I don't need an extra bottle in the cabinet for my 60 lb child. Can someone correct me if i am mistaken? TIA
We have 1000 mcg tabs that I could cut in half, but quarters would be pushing it. I prefer "mostly vegan" to describe my own diet because it is more like "all birthday cakes are vegan" than the care that some of you put into avoiding animal products, but my youngest aspires to more.
We have 1000 mcg tabs that I could cut in half, but quarters would be pushing it. I prefer "mostly vegan" to describe my own diet because it is more like "all birthday cakes are vegan" than the care that some of you put into avoiding animal products, but my youngest aspires to more.
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Calliegirl
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My GP and also the doctor who did the blood test told me that excessive amounts of B12 weren't recommended.
Calliegirl
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Calliegirl
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That's interesting, I'd never heard of any problems before. At least it looks like it's safe for healthy people.
Andy Brown
http://community.localmasters.com/
Recommended adult dose is 2 mcg., with 2.2 mcg. suggested for pregnant women and 2.6 mcg. for nursing mothers.
A diet low in B1 and high in folic acid (such as a vegetarian diet) often hides a vitamin B12 deficiency.
A properly functioning thyroid gland helps B12 absorption. Symptoms of B12 deficiency may take more than five years to appear after body stores have been depleted.
In the human diet, vitamin B12 is supplied primarily by animal products, since plant foods (with minor exceptions) don’t contain it.
Unique among water-soluble organic vitamins, it can be stored in the body; it can take up to three years to deplete your supply.
SUPPLEMENTS
Because B12 is not absorbed well through the stomach, I recommend the sublingual form of the organic vitamin, or the time-release form—accompanied by sorbitol—so that it can be assimilated in the small intestine.
Supplements are available in a variety of strengths from 50 mcg. to 2,000 mcg.
Doctors routinely give vitamin B12 injections. If there is a severe indication of deficiency or extreme fatigue, this method might be the supplementation that’s called for.
Daily dosages most often used are 5–100 mcg.
A diet low in B1 and high in folic acid (such as a vegetarian diet) often hides a vitamin B12 deficiency.
A properly functioning thyroid gland helps B12 absorption. Symptoms of B12 deficiency may take more than five years to appear after body stores have been depleted.
In the human diet, vitamin B12 is supplied primarily by animal products, since plant foods (with minor exceptions) don’t contain it.
Unique among water-soluble organic vitamins, it can be stored in the body; it can take up to three years to deplete your supply.
SUPPLEMENTS
Because B12 is not absorbed well through the stomach, I recommend the sublingual form of the organic vitamin, or the time-release form—accompanied by sorbitol—so that it can be assimilated in the small intestine.
Supplements are available in a variety of strengths from 50 mcg. to 2,000 mcg.
Doctors routinely give vitamin B12 injections. If there is a severe indication of deficiency or extreme fatigue, this method might be the supplementation that’s called for.
Daily dosages most often used are 5–100 mcg.
The doctor mentioned my B12 level the other day and he said now it's around 530, so it has gone up a bit since last time.
Methylcobalamin vs Cyanocobalamin: What's the Difference?
I've been prescribed the cyanocobalamin type of vitamin B12 which is synthetic. It's difficult to understand which type is the best to take, when reading the article.
I've been prescribed the cyanocobalamin type of vitamin B12 which is synthetic. It's difficult to understand which type is the best to take, when reading the article.
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Well it’s no wonder. The article uses the words “may” and “suggests” a lot. I’m going to see what else Dr. Internet has to say...
Val
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"Cyanocobalamin or methylcobalamin? Which form of B12 should we take" (Dr.Greger & Dr.Klaper).
That article suggests it is safe, and possible adverse effects if high doses *might* cause dizziness etc ...
This article has further information on doses of 5 g Hydroxocobalamin (5,000,000 mcg).
Treatment with high dose vitamin B12 been shown to be safe for more than 50 years - Stichting B12 Tekort
Guess such high doses of Cyanocobalamin would not be advisable due to the cyanide content.
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I have discussed the B12 issue with my new GP who is a vegetarian. She suggests, that I follow the guidelines of the
Vegan Society.
She also is considering that I have B12 injections if need be.
Just some anecdotal evidence ... Last year I had my B12 tested, after about 8 years of veganism without regular and consistent supplementation of B12. I took supplements now and then, but not regularly.
The value was at the lower end of the acceptable spectrum with about 200 ng/ml.
By taking supplements (Jarrows 2,500 mcg daily) over a few months I could increase that level to about 850 ng/ml, so my doctor suggested I can now take them maybe once every two days or once a week.
I am always dismayed when some vegans I know on facebook feel they have to point out (when people ask about supplementing B12) that they have been vegan for decades, never supplemented B12 and are still fine. Indeed, that might work for some people, that they get enough from fortified foods without ever having to think about supplementing, but it is IMO very dangerous advice to vegans in general.
The value was at the lower end of the acceptable spectrum with about 200 ng/ml.
By taking supplements (Jarrows 2,500 mcg daily) over a few months I could increase that level to about 850 ng/ml, so my doctor suggested I can now take them maybe once every two days or once a week.
I am always dismayed when some vegans I know on facebook feel they have to point out (when people ask about supplementing B12) that they have been vegan for decades, never supplemented B12 and are still fine. Indeed, that might work for some people, that they get enough from fortified foods without ever having to think about supplementing, but it is IMO very dangerous advice to vegans in general.
My last numbers, in August, were somewhere around 380, I think, and that’s without supplementing, although I use nutritional yeast frequently, at least once a day, in my meals. So I guess that could count as supplementation. I still felt like 380 was low so I bought some sublingual drops, the two different kinds, so I’m going to alternate every couple of days.
I was hoping the neurologist would suggest the shots because I have some tingling and numbness, but apparently, while I thought 380 was low, the physicians do not agree. And the neurologist feels that the tingling is fibro related and not neurological.
This is the problem that I have ; none of the specialists seem to agree. You see 5 difference doctors and gave 5 different opinions.
Val
Forum Legend
I don't know, my polyneuropathy exacerbation periods always started with numbness and tingling (especially in lower lip). Tingling is the most significant symptom on earlier stage. On a bad stage, like mine, it is present too, but how to describe it... hmmm... like, dozens and dozens times stronger,- then it turns into a feeling like you're being stabbed with thousands of huge needles,- that's why i'm saying that i'm shriveled and bended up at the same time. When i forget to take another pill of Pregabalin (or can't afford 4 pills a day), and ignore the "needle stabbing" for a long time, the second symptom appears - it feels like my feet are being squeezed in Procrustean bed. Then my heart starts aching badly. They say, the final symptoms are paralysis and cardiac arrest. Of course, i'm not going to wait until cardiac arrest, so i go to neurologists every month to get my prescription. And i depend on those sceptical tired dudes who even don't believe me and think that i'm pretending.
So, please, check your B12 level and try and take a good supplement (at least, for a while), and demand B12 injections of 1000 mkgs, if needed. It's none of my business, but i wouldn't wish it to anyone, especially you,- to become like me - a neurological patient with permanently damaged nerve tissue, with a fate depending on expensive harmful pills which hardly help. Sorry...
I like Jarrow brand! I have that dose and take it about twice a week
The problem with depending on fortified foods is how easy it is to change what you eat without thinking about losing b12, and that you require daily amounts if small doses
I don't like fortified nooch as I avoid the synthetic folate which is also fortified
