Skip to main content

How can vegans address B12 deficiencies?

Vitamin B12, known as cobalamin in the science world, is one of the most important nutrients for the human neurological system, DNA synthesis, and red blood cell formation. B12 is quite abundant in meat products like chicken and beef, but since vegan people don't eat any meat-containing or even dairy-containing products, they are much more prone to a deficiency in cobalamin. This leads to issues like neurological problems, anemia, overall tiredness, and even cognitive impairment. 

The biggest problem of being a vegan, is that B12 isn't naturally present in plant-based foods; so it's really likely for them to be deficient of it, since they consume no source thereof. This is why most vegans employ two methods to meet their daily vitamin B12 requirements. 

Method 1: Supplementation.

The straightforward, and honestly simper way for people to address their B12 needs, is to just take supplements for it. There are tablets, sublingual drops, and sprays which all contain between 250-500 mcg of cobalamin as per the consumers' needs. Along with that, there are versions of naturally extracted B12, like methylcobalamin, or synthetic versions like cynacobalamin. Most people who take supplements are inclined towards methylcobalamin, since it is much more bioavailable (provides a high amount of B12 to the body without a very high dosage) and has been processed much lesser. 

Method 2: Dietary fortification.

This method, is definitely much more difficult to maintain as compared to just popping pills, but often has a lot of positive effects apart from just addressing the B12 deficiency, as it encourages healthier eating habits. Since B12 isn't naturally found in plants, there are fortified foods (wherein B12 is added into the foods before being sold) like most plant-based milks (soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, etc.) and breakfast cereals, which almost always have been fortified. 

How do you check if your B12 levels are improving:

People who are trying to fix their B12 deficiency should ideally test their blood quite often to ensure that their cobalamin levels are within the optimum range, especially if they are vegans who don't have access to naturally occurring B12. They are also strongly encouraged to keep checking out for symptoms of low B12, with specially cognizance for fatigue, weakness, and cognitive changes; this helps prevent further health deterioriation and lets people enjoy a healthy, fulfilling life. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Please add your name when you comment down below!

Popular posts from this blog

What your doctor didn't tell you about beta-blockers for hypertension as a diabetic person

Beta-blockers are commonly prescribed medications for people with cardiovascular problems like coronary artery disease. A lot of people take them, and a lot of them get great results with it. But there's something that most people don't know about them, beta-blockers interact with diabetic peoples' bodies in a way that can REALLY complicate treatment plans.  For example, beta-blockers can mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia by reducing rapid heartbeats, tremors and anxiety. Although this seems good to someone with diabetes, it's actually worse. Without the typical warning signs of low blood sugar, patients may not be able to find a sugar source in time before they faint or get injured.  Some non-selective beta-blockers also worsen diabetes, since they reduce insulin sensitivity, which obviously makes it way harder to manage blood glucose levels. Non-selective beta blockers also interfere with the metabolism of glucose, and worsen control over blood sugar. That's why s...
Post a Comment
Read more

The mechanisms and administration of ferrous sulphate in Anemic People

Anemia is a condition wherein people have slightly lower/much lower levels of hemoglobin or red blood cells in their blood. When someone has anemia, they'll have an array of symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and pale skin. Anemia is caused by a deficiency in Iron in the blood: which results in hampered production of the adequate amount of hemoglobin (the protein which transports oxygen around the body.) Thus, to treat anemia, the root cause of an Iron deficiency has to be treated. To do this, doctors recommend people to take Ferrous Sulphate. Ferrous sulphate is a form of an iron supplement which contains ferrous ions (Fe2+), and is the easiest type of iron ion for the human body to absorb (as compared to ferric ions Fe3+.) Through its increased bioavailability, ferrous sulphate is one of the most effective treatments for replenishing iron levels and for treating anemia.  How does ferrous sulphate work: Once its ingested, the medication is absorbed all the way in upper intestine thr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Eliglustat for Gaucher disease: How does it work? How is it consumed? Side effects? Is it safe? Efficacy? Research? Evidence?

Gaucher disease is a rare genetic disorder wherein the body lacks the ability to break down a specific kind of fat, which leads to accumulation thereof around various parts of the body, such as organs and bones. Eliglustat is one of the most common medications prescribed to help treat the disease by reducing production of the fat itself.  The disease is an inherited lysosomal storage disorder which is caused by an enzyme deficiency, specifically a low level of glucocerebrosidase. This enzyme breaks down a fat with a similar name, glucocerebroside. When the body lacks production of the enzyme, the fat accumulates around and in cells of the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. This causes a variety of symptoms in patients, and can present itself in bizarre ways like: enlarged spleens and livers, increased bone pain and occurrence of fractures, fatigue, anemia and even increased bruising.  Eliglustat, the medicine provided to patients, works in one way: substrate reduction. Basically,...
Post a Comment
Read more