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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Angela2 on November 29, 2008, at 15:25:18
Since I'm not eating meat except for fish (and eggs and dairy), how do I make sure I get enough vitamin B12? I heard I can get it in a supplement and also in soy milk. Just wondering what others do.
Posted by fayeroe on November 29, 2008, at 17:44:36
In reply to Vitamin B12, posted by Angela2 on November 29, 2008, at 15:25:18
> Since I'm not eating meat except for fish (and eggs and dairy), how do I make sure I get enough vitamin B12? I heard I can get it in a supplement and also in soy milk. Just wondering what others do.
I eat fish also and I use a B-12 supplement that comes in liquid form. I purchased it at my grocery store pharmacy. It is from Nature's Bounty. You put it under your tongue and wait 30 seconds to swallow.
I am out of soy milk but I think that I noticed it on the last container that I bought.
I feel so much better now that I've quit everything but fish, dairy and veggies.
Posted by Kath on November 29, 2008, at 22:48:36
In reply to Vitamin B12, posted by Angela2 on November 29, 2008, at 15:25:18
It's in my multiple vitamin/mineral, in my B-vitamin capsules & I take the 'sublingual' form (melt under tongue) daily also.
I know you're concerned about this & I'm glad you're asking others about it.
Have you looked online about requirements & sources? There are certain foods that do have it. You could find out how much you need & figure out the amount in any vitamins you take, then see what foods you need to eat to get the suggested amount daily.
I'm glad you're taking care of your health AND your sense of well-being to prevent anxiety about it.
love, Kath
Posted by angela2 on November 30, 2008, at 10:13:17
In reply to Re: Vitamin B12 » Angela2, posted by Kath on November 29, 2008, at 22:48:36
kath, do different people need different amounts? I see that it is in mcg 100% in my daily multi vitamin.
Posted by Phillipa on November 30, 2008, at 13:03:12
In reply to Re: Vitamin B12 » Kath, posted by angela2 on November 30, 2008, at 10:13:17
Late to thread Angela shouldn't you get B12 tested first as too much is not good either a simple blood draw. Love Phillipa
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
Posted by Angela2 on November 30, 2008, at 21:27:46
In reply to Re: Vitamin B12 » angela2, posted by Kath on November 30, 2008, at 21:00:17
Kath,
Thanks for the info. On two of the multivitamin bottles we have, it says 6 mcg. That seems more than what you said. I think I might see my dr. or a nutritionist too. I'll keep u posted on what I find. Thanks so much again for the info!!!
Posted by Phillipa on December 1, 2008, at 0:21:48
In reply to Re: Vitamin B12 » Kath, posted by Angela2 on November 30, 2008, at 21:27:46
Seriously get a Blood count drawn CBC should be enough and maybe just ask for B 12 as you are taking it or thinking about it. Love Phillipa
Posted by desolationrower on December 1, 2008, at 15:32:42
In reply to Re: Vitamin B12 » Angela2, posted by Phillipa on December 1, 2008, at 0:21:48
I take b12 sublingual tabs, they are lemon flavour very tasty. B12 is extremely safe. The only concern is masking deficiency of other b-vitamins, not a concern if you take a b complex.
Methylcobalamin is the preferred form.
-d/r
Posted by Phillipa on December 1, 2008, at 18:43:07
In reply to Re: Vitamin B12, posted by desolationrower on December 1, 2008, at 15:32:42
What does it do for you in reguards to how you feel as B's now tend to make me anxios vitminshoppe brand. Phillipa
Posted by Kath on December 1, 2008, at 20:39:01
In reply to Re: Vitamin B12 » desolationrower, posted by Phillipa on December 1, 2008, at 18:43:07
I think that if one takes them too late in the evening they can make it hard to go to sleep, so perhaps they give energy.
Kath
Posted by desolationrower on December 11, 2008, at 9:12:18
In reply to Re: Vitamin B12 » desolationrower, posted by Phillipa on December 1, 2008, at 18:43:07
> What does it do for you in reguards to how you feel as B's now tend to make me anxios vitminshoppe brand. Phillipa
I notice nothing, but thats how it is for me with most supplements or drugs.
-d/r
This is the end of the thread.
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