How essential is B12 to your diet?
952563
It is extremely essential - you die without it. But it is NOT true that you only get it from meat! Dairy products and eggs are great sources - no need to worry if you include those in your diet. Strict vegans need to take yeast fortified with B12 or supplements.\n\nThere is, however, a condition called pernicious anemia that is fairly common, especially in older people, where you lose the ability to absorb B12 in your stomach. You can eat meat, take supplements, and still have a disabling lack of B12 in your system. In that case the B12 must be given in a way that bypasses the stomach, usually as injections, but one can also use tiny tablets that are absorbed under the tongue. There is no way to get enough B12 through your diet if you have this condition.
447534
Folic acid is commonly inadequate in western diets.  Many countries, including the U.S. have now required that certain common foods be 'fortified' with folic acid (folate) to help compensate for common deficiencies.\n\nFolate is critically important for the prevention of neural tube defects (birth defects such as spina bifida vera), cardiovascular disease, strokes, cancer, etc.  So low or inadequate intakes are a very serious issue.\n\nThere are several common genetic variations in some of the genes that affect folate function in the body (these are called polymorphisms).  Some of these genetic variations require much higher levels of folate for 'normal' functions and proper health.  As many as 10-20% of western populations have these genetic variations and therefore, higher folate requirements.  The leading medical journal "The Lancet" has estimated that some women need more than 11 times the RDA levels of folate to prevent birth defects.\n\nThere is a very important principle in clinical nutrition that few people understand.  Simply stated:  Nutrients Work In Harmony.  You need all of the vitamins, all of the minerals, all of the essential fatty acids, all of the essential amino acids, etc. in the right amounts for proper functioning of the cells, tissues, organs, and systems of the body.  And they need to be working in balance with each other.\n\nFinal and very important note.  Folic acid supplements should never be given without also giving (or at least measuring and monitoring body levels) vitamin B12.  High doses of folate can 'mask' a B12 deficiency.  The masked or hidden B12 deficiency can result in permanent, painful neurologic damage.\n\nI hope you find this helpful.  Be careful about the many 'wild' answers you get on this site.\n\nBest wishes.
387397
The cause of B12 deficiency is a problem with the parietal cells in your intestines.  They release something called "Intrinsic Factor" which helps absorb B12.  So if you have stomach or intestinal problems, you lost the intrinsic factor.  You can take B12/Folate pills to fix the problem, and it's not a big deal.
554696
Vitamin B12, deficiencies have been linked to autoimmune diseases such as, Multiple sclerosis, pernicious anaemia, and aids. Get a second opinion or see another Doctor. Long term use of B12 shots could also be damaging to your health.
146744
B 12 is found only in animal products.  If your vitamin B 12 is low try eating more lean meat and fish and eggs.  However, a common problem is that your digestive system may not be able to absorb the B 12 from your food.  In that case the only solution is a once a month injection.  I do my own.  It is simple, easy to do, and important because lack of B 12 in the body can be VERY serious.
613559
you must be a very happy person who likes to eat... because b12 defiency makes people have anemia and become depressed..you might be eating these foods..Vitamin B12 is naturally found in foods including meat (especially liver and shellfish), eggs, and milk products. Fortified breakfast cereals are a particularly valuable source of vitamin B12
432977
Functions\nVitamin B12's primary functions are in the formation of red blood cells and the maintenence of a healthy nervous system. B12 is necessary for the rapid synthesis of DNA during cell division. This is especially important in tissues where cells are dividing rapidly, particularly the bone marrow tissues responsible for red blood cell formation. If B12 deficiency occurs, DNA production is disrupted and abnormal cells called megaloblasts occur. This results in anaemia. Symptoms include excessive tiredness, breathlessness, listlessness, pallor, and poor resistance to infection. Other symptoms can include a smooth, sore tongue and menstrual disorders. Anaemia may also be due to folic acid deficiency, folic acid also being necessary for DNA synthesis. \nB12 is also important in maintaining the nervous system. Nerves are surrounded by an insulating fatty sheath comprised of a complex protein called myelin. B12 plays a vital role in the metabolism of fatty acids essential for the maintainence of myelin. Prolonged B12 deficiency can lead to nerve degeneration and irreversible neurological damage. \n\nWhen deficiency occurs, it is more commonly linked to a failure to effectively absorb B12 from the intestine rather than a dietary deficiency. Absorption of B12 requires the secretion from the cells lining the stomach of a glycoprotein, known as intrinsic factor. The B12-intrinsic factor complex is then absorbed in the ileum (part of the small intestine) in the presence of calcium. Certain people are unable to produce intrinsic factor and the subsequent pernicious anaemia is treated with injections of B12. \n\nVitamin B12 can be stored in small amounts by the body. Total body store is 2-5mg in adults. Around 80% of this is stored in the liver. \n\nVitamin B12 is excreted in the bile and is effectively reabsorbed. This is known as enterohepatic circulation. The amount of B12 excreted in the bile can vary from 1 to 10ug (micrograms) a day. People on diets low in B12, including vegans and some vegetarians, may be obtaining more B12 from reabsorption than from dietary sources. Reabsorption is the reason it can take over 20 years for deficiency disease to develop in people changing to diets absent in B12. In comparison, if B12 deficiency is due to a failure in absorption it can take only 3 years for deficiency disease to occur. \n\nDietary Sources\nThe only reliable unfortified sources of vitamin B12 are meat, dairy products and eggs. There has been considerable research into possible plant food sources of B12. Fermented soya products, seaweeds and algae have all been proposed as possible sources of B12. However, analysis of fermented soya products, including tempeh, miso, shoyu and tamari, found no significant B12. \nSpirulina, an algae available as a dietary supplement in tablet form, and nori, a seaweed, have both appeared to contain significant amounts of B12 after analysis. However, it is thought that this is due to the presence of compounds structurally similar to B12, known as B12 analogues. These cannot be utilised to satisfy dietary needs. Assay methods used to detect B12 are unable to differentiate between B12 and it's analogues, Analysis of possible B12 sources may give false positive results due to the presence of these analogues. \n\nResearchers have suggested that supposed B12 supplements such as spirulina may in fact increase the risk of B12 deficiency disease, as the B12 analogues can compete with B12 and inhibit metabolism. \n\nThe current nutritional consensus is that no plant foods can be relied on as a safe source of vitamin B12. \n\nBacteria present in the large intestine are able to synthesise B12. In the past, it has been thought that the B12 produced by these colonic bacteria could be absorbed and utilised by humans. However, the bacteria produce B12 too far down the intestine for absorption to occur, B12 not being absorbed through the colon lining. \n\nHuman faeces can contain significant B12. A study h
292208
Cow's milk doesn't contain much iron. It does contain:    * Vitamins D and K - essential for bone health\n    * Iodine - a mineral essential for thyroid function\n    * Vitamin B12 and Riboflavin - necessary for cardiovascular health and energy production\n    * Biotin and Pantothenic Acid - B vitamins important for    energy production\n    * Vitamin A - critical for immune function\n    * Potassium and Magnesium - for cardiovascular health\n    * Selenium - cancer-preventive trace mineral\n    * Thiamine - B-vitamin important for cognitive function, especially memory\n    * Conjugated linoleic acid - beneficial fatty acid that inhibits several types of cancer in mice, has been shown to kill human skin cancer, colorectal cancer and breast cancer cells in in vitro studies, and may help lower cholesterol and prevent atherosclerosis; only available in milk from grass-fed cows\n\nDrinking too much milk can lead to iron loss through the kidneys.
465436
yes, either one will work.  but they have a different kind of b12 just for subq.  no sharps are involved either.
1137890
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) states that everyone should be taking a multivitamin for prevention of diseases. Mainly because most of the foods we eat nowadays do not contain the nutrition they once did.
541692
YOU CAN GIVE HER VITIAMN B COMPLEX..... CARBS LOTS OF CARBS SAME EFFECT B12 SHOTS ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE....CARBS ARE THE MEMORY FOOD WHY DO YOU THINK SO MANY DIABETICS HAVE MEMORY LOST... THE COMPLEX SUGARS IN CARBS ARE NOT EASILY BROKEN DOWN IF AT ALL AN SO THE BRAIN DOES NOT GET THE NUTRIENTS FROM THEM AND THAT PART DIES OFF... SO GET IT FROM WALMART.... SUPER B COMPLEX  THE B12 SHOTS YOU MAY HAVE TO GET A DOCTOR TO SIGN OFF ON THOSE.... LOTS OF CARBS....
644765
Unlike proteins which have essential amino acids, there are no essential sugars.  You get 100% of your carbohydrate based nutritional needs just from eating like one serving of fruits or vegetables....easily.  Also, humans can easily exist with zero sugars in their diet for YEARS with zero negative effects.  Contrast that to essential proteins and fats which will quickly make you sick if you are deficient.\n\nThe two products you list are both fraudulant.  This is obvious to anyone with basic knowledge of human biochemistry and nutrition.  If you feel the need to supplement your "glyconutrients" (lol), go eat an apple.
240437
Vitamin B12 works with Folic Acid in the synthesis of DNA and red blood cells. A lot of vegans have problems getting enough B12, because it is found mostly in meat, dairy, and eggs. A deficiency can lead to anemia, a lack of red blood cells that carry oxygen to your body's cells (causing excess tiredness).\n\nAnother function of B vitamins is that they aid in a lot of the protein synthesis and growth that occurs while you are in REM sleep (dreaming). One side effect of taking a B vitamin before bed is that you will have more vivid, colorful, and memorable dreams! Try it!
386137
Yes they are good for you and your body, but unfortunatly, most people dont realize that they dont need them. As long as you eat regularly, and healthy, you get all the vitamins you need for the day. And in most cases, you body won't obsorb extra (to store/use) of any particular vitamin (in most cases). Therefore, just eat healthy and you should be fine, and shouldn't need them. Like always though, it may be better to actually ask a doctor, more specifically, your doctor.
497323
B12 is found in all meat products including dairy & eggs. Indians eat a lot of dairy in the form of milk & yogurt & so will be able to get Vit. B12 from that. Also, the human body recycles it's Vit. B12 & so if you got absolutely no  Vit. B12 in your diet, it would take about 12 years to get a Vit. B12 deficiency.
998216
I think if you eat lots of fruits and vegetables high in vitamins around your small daily meals, and take a multi-vitamin every day you should be good without help of diet products, eat alot of extra things good for you, and a little of fatty foods and it rounds it out.
1107553
I believe so... The most important of all is the breakfast.To stay healthy,have a heavy breakfast,moderate lunch and a very light dinner.That's the best way to go.