Vitamin B12 Deficiency And A Raw Vegan Diet

The B12 vitamin is found mainly in animal foods. Vegans, living on a plant based diet, have a high risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency. B12 provides many benefits. It is also vital for brain function and development. Anyone considering a raw vegan diet needs to consider vitamin b12 as a supplement in some form in order to avoid becoming B12 deficient.

Basic Information About B12

• Vitamin B12 is essential for:
• healthy brain function
• normal nervous system function and blood cell production
• maintaining healthy nerve cells and red blood cells
• DNA production

Sources Of The B12 Vitamin

Vitamin B12 from food.

The main sources of B12 are fish, meat, eggs and dairy products. 

Vitamin B12 in A vegan raw food diet is found in vegetables, fruit, cereals and algae, such as spirulina.

Plants, however are an inferior source of B12 as they contain agents that inhibit absorption into the body.

Vitamin B12 Supplements

The daily recommended dosage of B12 is tiny, about 2 mcg (micrograms). However in oral tablet form the actual dosage is 1000 - 2000 mcg. This high level is needed because of the relative absorbtion of Vitamin B 12 into the body.

Vitamin B12 Injections

Injections are a common way to supplement your body without compromising a raw vegan diet. Monthly shots are sufficient to avoid a deficiency. Be sure to get the dosage right to avoid any side effects. Too much of a good thing can have side effects Too many B12 injections or supplements can cause toxocity. Side effects including hair loss, and severe emotional disorders.

 Other ways to supplement include wearing a B12 patch, taking B12 liquid or sublingual B12 supplements.

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