B-12 for vegetarians... Why is it important?

Question

Do they extract the B-12 from animals (making it an animal by-product) when they create the vitamin in the liquid form?

I have liquid B-12 vitamins at home, I'm just not sure if there will be any benefit in me taking them. I am very active, and eat no meat. I get plenty of protein... but B-12? Who knows?

I got no great answers when posted in the health and diet section, so I thought I would ask my fellow vegetarians! Are B-12 supplements essential to a vegetarian diet?

Answer 1

yes they are essential, there are very few vegan foods that have b-12 that are found naturally(you can get enriched foods). you being vegetarian should be fine cause you get b-12 from dairy products,

and b-12 from the vitamins i have are vegetable derived, so you might want to check yours but the chances are they are fine.

Answer 2

Vitamin B-12 is naturally found in meat (especially liver and shellfish), milk and eggs. Animals, in turn, must obtain it directly or indirectly from bacteria, and these bacteria may inhabit a section of the gut which is posterior to the section where B-12 is absorbed. Thus, herbivorous animals must either obtain B-12 from bacteria in their rumens, or (if fermenting plant material in the hindgut) by reingestion of cecotrope fæces. Eggs are often mentioned as a good B-12 source, but they also contain a factor that blocks absorption.[23] Certain insects such as termites contain B-12 produced by their gut bacteria, in a manner analogous to ruminant animals.[24] An NIH Fact Sheet lists a variety of food sources of vitamin B-12.

Plants only supply B-12 to humans when the soil containing B-12-producing microorganisms has not been washed from them. For example, mushrooms are typically high in B-12 [25], but they are often grown in soil containing high amounts of manure and bacteria, and there is a serious question as to whether B-12 may be made by mushrooms themselves [26], and how much of it would be present after careful washing [27]. Vegan humans who eat only carefully washed vegetables must ordinarily take special care to supplement their diets accordingly. According to the U.K. Vegan Society, the only reliable vegan sources of B-12 are foods fortified with B-12 (including some plant milks, some soy products and some breakfast cereals), and B-12 supplements.[28]

While lacto-ovo vegetarians usually get enough B-12 through consuming dairy products, vitamin B-12 may be found to be lacking in those practicing vegan diets who do not use multivitamin supplements or eat B-12 fortified foods. Examples of fortified foods often consumed include fortified breakfast cereals, fortified soy-based products, and fortified energy bars. Claimed sources of B-12 that have been shown through direct studies[29] of vegans to be inadequate or unreliable include, laver (a seaweed), barley grass, and human gut bacteria. People on a vegan raw food diet are also susceptible to B-12 deficiency if no supplementation is used[30].

Answer 3

EVERYONE is likely to have lower levels of B12 than recommended, not just vegetarians.

B12 may it's come from animals if it does not say that it's vegetarian. ALL B12 is made by micro-organisms and that is why vegan B12 is available.

Most cases of illness related to deficiency are blamed on a defect that hinders absorption or reuse by the body and it is very rare. You are wise to stay on the safe side and take supplements or fortified foods because deficiency can result in irreversible nerve damage.

Answer 4

In the country I stay, I couldn't find any B12 enriched foods in the supermarket. So I have to take B-12 supplements.

Answer 5

Sounds pretty important from what he said about the nervous system and brain, but I would like to know how they get it before I consume it since I am a vegan....

Answer 6

It's important for all humans, not just vegetarians.

The vast majority of people showing up with b12 deficiency all eat meat, but what they have in common is a generally poor diet consisting of dead foods, processed foods, junk foods, etc.

B12 is found in the p**p one celled organisms. Bacteria being the most plentiful.  Found in dirt, in your mouth, in your intestines, in fermented foods, etc.  But we're talking about the 'good' bacteria.  Remember, vegetarianism is a very old practise.  Vitamins are a new discovery.  So, how did people in the past get their vitamins, minerals, and such?  They ate food.  Very simple.  Protein is in every living thing.  We make our own protein using amino acids.  Protein is everywhere. Don't let anyone tell you differently.  So, no, b12 is not essential to a vegetarian diet -- just a junk food or generally bad diet.  See, being vegetarian/vegan is completely natural.  Eating meat is not natural for humans.  We are not 'designed' to consume meat.  We are not even omnivores -- not even close at all.  People who say such things are really very ignorant.  carnivores and omnivores are completely different from herbivores -- it's very obvious and plain to see, but people like to make up their own minds about things and ignore the plain and obvious and common sense.

Answer 7

Vitamin B-12 is a vitamin which is important for the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the formation of blood. Vitamin B-12 is naturally found in meat, milk, and eggs. Since your a vegetarian, you get your Vitamin B-12 from dairy products, soy products, eggs and fortified breakfast cereals.