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What's a good Vitamin B12 alternative? I've only heard of Red Star's Nutritional Yeast but Alicia mentioned that yeast can cause yeast in the body...so I am staying away from that.
Any suggestions for supplements? Alicia, what supplement do you use from Dr. Neal Bernard?
Thanks!
I was wondering about this too, as I've read that you can only get B-12 from animal sources and our bodies need this vitamin.
Many foods are fortified with B12, like many soymilks and other vegan milks. Check the labels! Also, check other grain based products like cereals which supplement with B12. Also most vegan multivitamins are heavily supplemented with B12 (and Vit D).
B12 comes from living organisms, but this is usually bacteria, so it's possible to have vegan B12. (assuming you're okay eating bacteria, which most people are.)
b12 doesn't just come from animal products.
the animals don't innately create it in their bodies.. they get it from the world around them.
today, our food is too clean, our water too clean.. the bacteria is all dead.
b12 occurs naturally in the soil and on the surface of unwashed fruits and vegetables.
if you don't want to eat unwashed, organic produce whenever possible... i recommend doing one of the following:
1. multivitamin w/ b12
2. nutritional yeast
3. fortified foods (like cereal, rice milk, etc)
i've been vegan for 2 years. i take a vitamin every day and my b12 levels are fine.
Most vegan books I've read suggest taking (1) Vitamin B12 pill daily--and possibly (1) caltrate tablet to get enough Vitamin D + calcium, Otherwise plant-based foods supply EVERTHING else any of us needs to stay healthy! 
Hi Nariman, You pose a very good question that is commonly asked.Deficiency of vitamin B12 is the only concern associated with a strict whole foods, plant-based diet. B12 deficiency is a theoretical possibility within the vegan population but does not occur clinically. B12 deficiency is a very serious condition with profound irreversible effects. The vast majority of people who suffer from this condition are not vegan but lack an important and intrinsic factor required for the absorption of this nutrient.
if you consume a very strict plant-based diet without any processed convenience foods and are concerned about vitamin B12 you can ask your doctor for very simple blood test. Most of us have enough B12 to last several years stored in our tissue. Dietary deficiency would be easily treated with supplementation. The more common sort of deficiency associated with malabsorption must be treated with injection therapy.
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