Thursday, 9 February 2012

Nutrition guide - Vitamin B12

But first, it’s vegan Ryan Gosling time…

I came across this website today – LOVE it!! I hope you enjoy too.




Today on The Age online, there is a short video about an emergency drill at Tokyo Zoo in preparation of the off-chance there's an escaped rhino… it’s freakin hilarious!! I especially love it when the guy gets ‘rammed’ and falls down (about 20 seconds in)… bahahaha!!

Vitamin B12

Also known as cyanocobalamin!

Vitamin B12 helps to produce and maintain the myelin surrounding nerve cells, mental ability, red blood cell formation and the breaking down of some fatty acids and amino acids to produce energy. Vitamin B12 has a close relationship with folate, as both depend on the other to work properly.[1]

Adequate intake of vitamin B12 is essential for normal blood function and neurological function, and fortunately can be stored in the liver for many years.

The recommended daily intake of Vitamin B12 is 2.4μg per day for both males and females.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is called pernicious anaemia. Symptoms include tiredness and fatigue, lack of appetite and weight loss, apathy and depression, anaemia, smooth tongue and degeneration of peripheral nerves progressing to paralysis.[2]

Not pleasant.

So how do vegans get their dose of Vitamin B12?

Quite easily actually. Nutritional yeast, Vitasoy High-Fibre soy milk (the green one) and marmite all have Vitamin B12. Please note that the purple Vitasoy (calci-plus) is NOT vegan as it contains Vitamin D derived from lanolin (sheep)[3].

Blackmores do a vegan Vitamin B12 supplement – and I have recently bought a Deva vegan multivitamin that has lots of other good stuff, in addition to B12.


[1] http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/vitamin_b?open
[2] http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/n35.pdf
[3] http://www.vnv.org.au/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=125&Itemid=61

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