i'm trying to be vegan. How should I use vitamin B12?

Answer 1

I have to inject B 12 3 times a week. My body does not use what I take in by eating.

Answer 2

If you are trying to be vegan, you don't need to take vitamin B12. B12 is stored in the liver for approximately 3 to 5 years (if you have eaten healthy meat and animal by-products since you were young).

Once you are vegan, and it has been a couple of years you may want to have your blood tested. If it is critically low, you can opt for the shot of vitamin B12 that will boost it up to above normal.

For an established vegan, vitamin B12 is found in supplements. You can get vegan vitamins that have methyl-vitamin B12 which the body absorbs best. I also am vegan for four years now, and use vitamin B12 enriched nutritional/brewer's yeast in my alfredo sauce, and my vegan kids take the methyl-vitamin B12 tablets.

Answer 3

You please do what the following persons say in their answers-----Jess, Dart, LITTLE_JOHN, Brenda B, petlady5 and VeggieTart. From my side I thank all of them.

I am surprised at the lack of awareness in the people about vegetarian products.
How do the biggest and strongest vegetarian animals—like the elephant, camel, horse, buffalo, hippo, and rhino get their nutrition, including B12, from?

I am a born vegetarian, I don’t even consume milk, but how do I get my B12? Only from the regular vegetarian food, and at the age of 68+, I look not more then 50.
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. Milk and its products are also good sources of B12.

Answer 4

Take a good BComplex - I like Solaray B100.

Trader Joe has a B6, B12, Folic acid sublingual.

All health food stores have B12.

Buy one, take it everyday.

Contrary to what you've been told here, you *do* need to take 1 everyday. As a vegan you cannot get enough B12 from unsupplemented food.

Enjoy you new lifestyle, and take care of yourself! :o)

Answer 5

vitamin B12

However, B12 is found only in animal foods so vegans have to rely on bacterial preparations.

Meat, eggs, and dairy produce are rich sources and dietary deficiency is unlikely except among vegans.

Requirements for vitamin B12 are increased by reproduction or hyperthyroidism. Of the known vitamins B12 is the most active biologically. A daily injection of 1 microgram of vitamin B12 will prevent the recurrence of symptoms in people with pernicious anemia. For normal people a diet containing 3–5 μg per day (providing 1–1.5 μg absorbed) will satisfy vitamin B12 requirements.

Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamin) Promotes growth in children; prevents anemia by regenerating red blood cells; aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins; maintains healthy nervous system

Cyanocobalamin, Vitamin B 12 nasal spray

What is cyanocobalamin nasal spray?
CYANOCOBALAMIN (Nascobal® nasal spray) is a synthetic (man-made) form of vitamin B12. Naturally occurring vitamin B12 is found in fish, seafood, milk, egg yolk and fermented cheeses. Vitamin B12 is essential to the development of healthy blood cells, nerve cells, and proteins in the body and for the normal metabolism of fats and carbohydrates in the body. Lack of vitamin B12 can result in anemia, stomach problems, and nerve damage. Cyanocobalamin treats or prevents vitamin B12 deficiency and a resulting type of anemia, called pernicious anemia. Pernicious anemia occurs in patients who do not have enough vitamin B12 in their diet (e.g., strict vegetarians) or who cannot adequately absorb the vitamin due to a defect or disease of the stomach or intestines. Generic cyanocobalamin nasal spray is not available.

Supplemental Sources

Cobalamin supplements are available in both oral and injectable formulations. A nasal gel is also made. Generally a balanced B-complex vitamin is preferable to taking high doses of cobalamin unless there is a specific indication for it, such as megaloblastic anemia. Strict vegetarians will need to incorporate a supplemental source of B12 in the diet. Cyanocobalamin is the form most commonly available in supplements. Two other, possibly more effective, types are hydrocobalamin and methyl-cobalamin. As with all supplements, cobalamin should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place and out of the reach of children.

Answer 6

There are several ways to get it:

Fortified foods--such as nutritional yeast, soy milks, etc.
Multivitamins--most of them have vitamin B12. I also take Emergen-C most days. Get the ones that are the 1,000 mg of vitamin C or the multivitamin type.
Vitamin B12 pills--get either chewable or sublingual ones (that you put below the tongue to absorb).

Answer 7

You don't necessarily have to take B-12 supplements. Go to the health food store and get some nutritional yeast. It doesn't sound very yummy but it actually is. It's a powder you can sprinkle on foods in place of cheese. It really does taste like cheese. It's a natural source of B-12 from vegetable sources. You can also mix it with olive oil to make cheese sauce.

Answer 8

Uh... your BODY uses it. It's not a cooking ingredient.

If you mean how do you GET it, I really don't understand, because I've been vegan my whole life and have never taken a vitamin/supplement or been sick. Anyone who tells you being vegan is nutritionally deficient is someone who is totally ignorant of scientific info.

--Lifelong vegan.

Answer 9

There's a mix that you mix with water called "Emergen c" that has a good amount of B12 in it. You can find it at Walgreens and most natural food stores, and there are multiple flavors.

Answer 10

talk to your doctor to see if you need b12 first, if so he can give you a shot of it, and you're good for 6mons.

a mili[vitamin is usually all your body requires.
most vitamins taken by mouth isn't efficient enough to bother with.
in some cases daily vitamins can over work your kidneys and liver.....
talk to your doctor first.........