Posted by Kath on November 30, 2008, at 21:00:17
In reply to Re: Vitamin B12 » Kath, posted by angela2 on November 30, 2008, at 10:13:17
> kath, do different people need different amounts? I see that it is in mcg 100% in my daily multi vitamin.
~ ~ ~ Hi Angela,
4 of my Health Books say the Daily Requirement for Adults is 1 - 3 mcg (microgram).
I just looked on Google & there are numerous articles. Here's what the famous "Mayo Clinic" says about Vit B12 requirements
Adults (over 18 years old)
Recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) are 2.4 micrograms per day for adults and adolescents aged 14 years and older, 2.6 micrograms per day for adult and adolescent pregnant females, and 2.8 micrograms per day for adult and adolescent lactating females. Because 10-30% of older people do not absorb food-bound vitamin B12 efficiently, those over 50 years of age should meet the RDA by eating foods fortified with B12 or by taking a vitamin B12 supplement. Supplementation of 25-100 micrograms per day has been used to maintain vitamin B12 levels in older people. A doctor and pharmacist should be consulted for use in other indications. Vitamin B12 has been taken by mouth and given by intramuscular (IM) injection by healthcare professionals. One clinical trial tested patients' acceptance of intranasal vitamin B12 replacement therapy (500 micrograms per week).
Children (under 18 years old)
Recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) have not been established for all pediatric age groups; therefore Adequate Intake (AI) levels have been used instead. The RDA and AI of vitamin B12 are: infants 0-6 months, 0.4 micrograms (AI); infants 7-12 months, 0.5 micrograms (AI); children 1-3 years, 0.9 micrograms; children 4-8 years, 1.2 micrograms; and children 9-13 years, 1.8 micrograms.
Angela - it's my understanding that "sublingual B12" (means you let the tablet dissolve under your tongue) is the best assimilated oral form of B12. I guess a liquid under-the-tongue form would also be really good.
I remember when I was first a vegetarian, (gee, maybe around 35 years ago) being REALLY concerned about B12 deficiency. What I read sounded really scarey. I can understand your concern.
In reading my various books on Vit B12 (most are around 500 pages - 1 is over 1000 pages) they are saying that "strict vegetarians" should take B12 supplements.
I believe that most multi-vitamin tablets contain B12. You mention that yours says it contains 100% of the daily requirement. If I take 1-3 mcg as the daily requirement, my tablet has WAY more than the daily minimum requirement. As well as that, I take one Natural Factors brand B12 sublingual tablet per day. It's 5000mcg !!! I started taking it because my daughter (who has Multiple Chemical Sensitivities - environmental illness - & who has done HUGE research on vitamin & mineral supplementation) recommended it. I can't remember why!! But I trust her in it. She recommends the "Methylcobalamin" form of B12. I am certainly not recommending that you take that much. In fact, in looking at this now, it seems like a huge amount & I'm going to be asking my daughter why. Actually, I think now that she said 1000mcg but when I saw the 5000mcg I decided to get it. It's my understanding that as we age, (I'm 61) we sometimes don't absorb nutrients as well, so I decided to get the 'biggie dose' as it was about the same cost.
I just checked in my "Natural Health Bible" written by an M.D. & a PhD. & it says under "Safety Issues" - "Vitamin B12 appears to be extremely safe. However, in some cases very high doses of vitamin B12 can cause or worsen acne symptoms." It also says "If you are taking medications that reduce stomach acid, colchicine, corticosteroids, methotrexate, metformin, phenformin, oral contraceptives, nitrous oxide, cholestyramine, colestipol or clofibrate, you may need extra B12" !!!!
If you're still feeling edgy about it, please post more, or feel free to Babblemail me. I'd really like to see you reach a good comfortable confidence about this...an assurance that you're getting adequate Vit B12.
:-)) luv, Kath
poster:Kath
thread:865774
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20080428/msgs/865988.html