Vegan sources of vitamin B12

[me2u]

[QUOTE=Athena;7354]How is veganism ideal if it doesn't naturally provide an essential nutrient?

The problem may be more on how modern produce is cleansed and shipped. B12 is naturally present in manure enriched soil and probably can be absorbed if the food is not washed. But very few people grow their own food and don't wash it and cultivate it properly to get the desired results. B12 is bacteria related not meat related. The key to B12 is to study bacteria production of it. I'm just starting to read on it as my homocystine indicate a low B12 level after being a raw vegan for about 7 years and not using any supplementation of any kind. I will not ingest preservatives so that blocks almost all supplementation as there are always preservatives and binders in pills. Insects are a definite source though distasteful to most of us. Raw liver (if frozen for 2 weeks for safety) has probably the highest level of B12 but I would like to avoid the non-vegan solution if possible. This is a very complex and difficult problem if you have high standards for food intake as I have.

Urine therapy (ingestion of one's own fresh urine) may be able to boost B12 levels but probably not by much. I've recently upped my ingestion to almost all my urine every day and can say its a very positive step in other areas of health. I only wish there was a cheap way of testing my B12 levels every few days to monitor things better. Urine is a definite key in helping the body find its own appetite rather than eating when one feels like enjoying a particular taste.

Another thing to note is high levels of protein really hurt your B12 levels. So one need to watch out for too many tasty nuts and seeds if one is into that, as I am. The urine really helps me eat less and feel much better. I've always been lean and fit so weight has never been an issue with me but I sure can attest to urine's benefits in the area of high intensity workouts. And no, it doesn't taste bad if you eat well. Garbage in, garbage out.

[Karanime]

I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, but I'm much too lazy to read the entire conversation up to this point.

Don't pounce, but if you're cool with caffeine, a lot of energy drinks contain 100% DV B12.

It's often in the form of cyanocobalamin, which isn't optimal, but it's enough. As a vegan, this is actually how I get my B12. It's pretty handy, since I'm drinking these energy drinks anyway.

/<3

[me2u]

Not cool with caffeine!

Originally Posted by Karanime

I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, but I'm much too lazy to read the entire conversation up to this point.

Don't pounce, but if you're cool with caffeine, a lot of energy drinks contain 100% DV B12.

It's often in the form of cyanocobalamin, which isn't optimal, but it's enough. As a vegan, this is actually how I get my B12. It's pretty handy, since I'm drinking these energy drinks anyway.

/<3

[Karanime]

Originally Posted by me2u

Not cool with caffeine!

You pounced!

/<3

[Aleksander Krstic]

Originally Posted by Cron

It isn't enough just to get b-12, you have to get enough, and get it on a regular basis.

I think I have to agree with Erin, just take it once a year or so. At most.

[me2u]

Originally Posted by Aleksander Krstic

I think I have to agree with Erin, just take it once a year or so. At most.

The only way to know is to get tested for B12 several times as you're trying different solutions to a low B12 problem (which most people have irregardless if they are vegan or not.) Here is where your doctor can be your ally. Though few will cooperate.

Raw organic liver or edible (there are 100's) insects are probably the best solutions available. Otherwise, one needs to grow the bacteria (like in sauerkraut) and eat that. After all B12 in supplements comes from bacteria. Too bad they have to put in piles of crap with that methylcobalamin.