vitamin b 12 supplement
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Q: Can taking a Vitamin B-12 supplement hurt me if I don’t have a deficiency?
I was lacking energy so I thought I’d give it a try. Could it potentially hurt me if B-12 deficiency isn’t the problem?
A: For the lack of energy try:
B-complex, and Vitamin C with bioflavonoids.
Q: why do i get shaky and dizzy when i take a B-12 vitamin supplement?
i thought it was supposed to be healthy?
Ok before you say it, of course i stopped taking them.
A: Before we go ahead, I need to know that if you are currently on any medications (for drug-drug interactions), pregnant, or diagnosed with anaemia (if yes, which one of the 5 main types?) The answer (cause) may lie in the stated areas above!
Although vit B12 is water soluble, its excretion via kidney is not as quick, leading to its accumulation in the liver, kidney & other tissues. As a result, a vit B12 deficiency may not manifest until after 5-6 yrs of inadequate diet.
The amount of vit B12 needed daily by the body is very small (2 µg/day). However, the major problem is its poor absorption via GI tract (gut) i.e. 500 µg of orally taken vit B12 can result in absorption of about 1.5 µg, indicating that most multivitamins do NOT provide an adequate daily intake (2 µg)!
The richest dietary sources of vit B12 are:
- MEAT &meat products especially lamb LIVER / KIDNEYS
- DAIRY FOOD, CHEESE
- EGGS
- FORTIFIED breakfast CEREALS
- YEAST extract & certain algae such as SEAWEED
- some beans, nuts & seeds (sunflower)
- some species of fish may supply very small amounts!
- But vegetables & friuts are very poor sources (caution: vegetarians / vegans)!!!
Clinical side effects of vit B12 (CYANOCOBALAMIN) are rare & can include:
- mild diarrhoea
- anxieties & panic attacks
- insomnia (habitual sleeplessness)
- chest pain
- breathing problems
- heart palpitations
- SKIN RASH, hives, or ITCHY/SWOLLEN skin
HYDROXOCOBALAMIN (another type of vit B12) on the other hand, is retained in the body longer than CYANOCOBALAMIN and thus can be given for maintenance therapy @ intervals of up to 3 months (should NOT be given before diagnosis fully established). The side effects associated with this form may include:
- nausea
- headache
- dizziness
- fever
- hypersensitivity reactions such as skin rash
- injection site pain
- hypokalaemia (potassium deficiency)
There is no scientific evidence supporting that injections are more effective than sublingual supplements. However, dietrary supplements should be taken only under the supervision of a knowledgeable healthcare provider. Taking these supplementations for a long period of time can result in an imbalance of other important B vitamins.
If your problem doesn’t fall in any gategory above, then there may be allergic possibility to some of the excipients (ingredients) used in the formulation of those particular/general supplements taken.
However, if you’ve stopped taking them, it’s not a bad idea to visit your GP or Pharmacist for more advice.
Hope this can help. 
Regards S X
Q: Is it ok to take a vitamin B 12 complex supplement even if your multivitamin has 100% Dv?
Im looking for a little bit of a lift on my depression,already taking St.Johns Wort,not helping as much.
A: First thing to do is stop listening to the news….. Then check out XS energy drinks and other supplements from Nutrilite…. The drinks are sugar free and loaded with B-12… 4900%…
I get them at http://mrtester.ltdteam.com password nutrition
Q: Vitamin B 12 deficiency and post Lyme disease?
I went on antibiotics and now I’m off of them. I have still been having headaches and fatigue, sometimes its hard to concentrate. I did a blood test and there is no sign of active Lyme in my system. So i did not know what was wrong. I been taking vitamin b 12 supplement and noticed these symptoms are getting better.
Is there a link between B 12 deficiency and the Lyme bacteria?
A: Several common features of modern life accelerate the decline of vitamin B12 in serum through life, including the following:
* Microwave ovens In one test, microwaving milk degenerated 30% to 40% of milk’s vitamin B12 in six minutes; with conventional heating, 25 minutes of boiling was needed to depress B12 that much. (67) More importantly, the heat of microwaving destroys all the enzymes in ingested food, which are required to enable absorption and utilization of food. And so by eating microwaved food, both at home and in restaurant and take-out meals, tens of millions of Americans are making themselves increasingly vulnerable to AD, as well as to cancer.
* The Western diet B12 ingestion and stores tend to be insufficient among millions who have for decades eaten RDA-fortified, yet vitamin- and mineral-depleted, processed Western diets, which are also big sources of disease-creating free radicals. (69) Too low levels of omega-3 essential fatty acids in Western diets, harmful in many ways, must also contribute to insufficient B12 levels. (70) Omega-3 supplementation may yield its benefits largely through augmenting vitamin B12. Too-low levels of acetyl-carnitine and folic acid also appear to worsen risk of the condition. (71,72) It’s worth noting that in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model, a diet rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, specifically DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), has been shown to potentially slow or even prevent Alzheimer’s disease. (73) At modest cost, we can easily ingest DHA in fish oil or [Carlson's] cod liver oil. Also worth considering is the role of trans-fatty acids (TFA) found in products labeled “zero trans-fats” with EPA approval. In a study of over 800 senior citizens, those with high TFA were twice as likely to suffer symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease compared to those with the lowest TFA intake (hsiresearch@healthiernews.com; accessed 2/17/06).
*Hypochlorhydria.i.e. insufficient hydrochloric acid Most commonly, B12 insufficiency results directly from hypochlorhydria–insufficient hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach–or by achlorhydria–no HCI at all. The acid should be concentrated enough to dissolve a nail in an hour. (77) Hypochlorhydria is likely caused by zinc/vitamin B6 deficiency (78) and a shortage of ionized calcium. (79,80) (Both deficiencies are typically present in older people.) Lack of enough pepsin or HCl in the stomach to generate the bond between B12 and its carrier protein typically shows with atrophic gastritis. (81,82) Both are also risk factors for gastric cancer. (83) Incomplete digestion of foods due to hypochlorhydria and low pepsin production also can be involved in subsequent allergic response in asthma.
Q: What sort of improvements can i expect if take vitamin b-12 supplements for my deficiency?
i was recently diagnosed with this deficiency and was just curious what solving the problem would do for me
will i have more energy and be less depressed?
also will my metabolism work better?
A: You will have MUCH more energy … you won’t need to sleep as much … you’ll be much happier … your moods will improve … I think you’ll find that once your B12 levels are normal again you’re going to feel fantastic!!
I too had a B12 deficiency and after taking supplements I felt sooo good afterwards, better than I ever had. I was giggly and hyperactive and happy again … and I didn’t feel like I needed to lay in bed all the time either, almost like a new lease on life.
Q: What is the source of vitamin B 12 that vegetarians/vegans supplement their diet with?
Just curious.
A: B12 is found in bacteria, which in turn is found in water and soil. In the past, we could get this from the water we drank and the dirt on the vegetables and such that we ate. Unfortunately, everything has become so sterilized now that most people can no longer get it from these sources.
Meat eaters and vegetarians get their B12 from the animals and animal products, who still drink and eat the water and dirt with B12. Vegans have a wide variety of cereals, and soy and rice milks which are fortified with B12.
Q: is Nature Made brand vitamin B-12 vegan? or does it have and animal products in it?
if its not, are there any other B-12 supplements that are?
A: There is no plant that contains usable vitamin B12. Some research studies are misleading…
Here’s what I mean…
The testing that’s normally done to figure out of a food item has any vitamin B12 is to place certain microorganisms on the item and see if they grow. If they grow and colonize, there’s B12. If they don’t grow, there’s no B12.
On some plants like tempeh and spirulina, these microorganisms do grow, meaning that they have B12.
BUT, this is not a form of vitamin B12 that humans can use. What I mean is, it’s a derivative of B12 that’s not used in the same way as the normal B12 we get from animal products. It’s actually called “false B12″.
In fact, this “false B12″ can actually block B12 receptors on your cells making it impossible to absorb any true B12 that you can use.
The bottom line is that there’s no plant on Earth that contains vitamin B12 that you can use. People may be trying to sell you natural B12 that they got from plants, but it’s not the B12 your body can use. In fact, it may hinder the ability for you to utilize any B12 that you manage to get (because it’s false B12!).
With your question, I’m not sure if the Nature Made supplement is “vegan” – I looked online and couldn’t really tell what their claims are. But chances are that if it’s “vegan”, it’s not B12 that you can use effectively.
The only place we can get “natural” B12 is from animal products! In fact, even if they did get vitamin B12 from plants, you wouldn’t need to supplement, would you? You’d be getting plenty of it in your diet! (I’m assuming you’re a vegetarian).
I also noticed that the Nature Made B12 supplement contains 1000 mcg tablets. This is WAY too much!
It’s not necessary to take high-potency B12 supplements – you only need like 6 mcg (0.000006 g) of B12 per day for healthy living. And even if you don’t get that much, you’ve got a good amount stored in your liver, along with microorganisms in your intestine that synthesize the vitamin daily.
The fact is that most clinical deficiencies of vitamin B12 are due to intestinal absorption problems. All I’m trying to say is – make sure you’re getting enough B12, but definitely don’t overdo it!
It’s a waste of money to take all this extra B12 because whatever you don’t use just ends up in the urine. You can tell that you’ve had more B12 than you need by the neon-greenish tint of the urine (because B12 reflects a neon-greenish color).
The best place to get any vitamin or nutrient is in the actual food it naturally occurs in. But, in the case of vegetarians, it’s necessary to take a B12 supplement in the form of a pill or liquid. Just don’t overdo it!
Hope this helps a little!
Here’s a lot of other info on vitamin B12 if you’re interested…
http://www.smart-strength-training.com/vitamin-b12-information.html
Ryan
Q: Is B-12 vitamin supplements ok, to take?
Latley I’ve felt like I’ve had a little bit of the flu here and their, just don’t feel as healthy as I used to be. But last week, I bought some vitamin B-12 at the store and started drinking alot of green tea, vitamin-C, and water…and now, latley I’ve felt healthier. But I wanna know, is B-12 safe and ok to take here and their?
A: Yes it is. Some of the vitamins are toxic in large amounts but most, if the dosages are too high will just be cleaned out of your bloodstream by your kidneys and excreted in your urine.
Personally I take about 5000 IU’s of Vitamin B-12 daily. If you are stressed a lot your body consumes that amount and there are other minerals and vitamins that need B-12’s presence in order to work themselves. If you are taking too high of a dose of Vitamin C at one time you may get the runs/dysentry but if you don’t then your body is using the amount you are taking up.
Common opinion states that the most Vitamin C your body can use in a dose is 250 mg and you can repeat that amount every two hours.
Make sure you get enough Vitamin D in the winter as well as without it other vitamins and nutrients from your food won’t be being used properly! Especially if you live in the northern half of the USA or Canada where our winters don’t have enough bright sunlight to allow the skin to make Vitamin D – or you use sunblock which disallows sunligh’ts penetration to skin which allows our body to make the sunshine vitamin!
Q: can I still take my calcium and vitamin b-12 with my vita fol-ob is it safe I have low calcium blood?
I have pcos which is infertility so my doctor put me on 850mg of metformin twice a day and prescribe me vitafol-ob but also i have low blood calcium so I take calcium and vitamin b-12 supplements is it safe .[PCOS stands for polycycstics ovary syndrome]
A: yes u can safly take calcium & b 12.
Q: Do vitamin b-12 supplements help the nerves in a diabetic who has peripheral neuropathy?
I read on the bottle of b-12 that helps the nerves. However, would it help the nerves in a diabetic?
He has blood sugars under control. Why did you assume he did not? He is 48 now. Since he was 38, his 10 yr A1C average is 6.0
I believe he damaged his nerves between 32 and 38 when he was in denial and tried to do it on diet alone and had A1c’s of 9-10. So it has been quite a while since he lacked control of his blood sugars.
A: I haven’t heard much about B vitamins and neuropathy, but alpha lipoic acid has been shown to help in larger doses. You can get 200mg capsules at Walmart – have him take 1 or 2 a day and he should see some results within a few weeks. Keep up the good A1C’s!
Q: Is there a difference between B-12 and B-complex vitamins? What is the difference? Which is beneficial?
I started taking vitamin B-12 supplements for stress and extra energy, but i’m confussed about the difference between the B-12 and the B- complex. When I was pregnant I took extra Folic Acid pills because they said it would benefit me and my baby. Should I just get the B-complex vitamins or just take one of each?
A: Vitamin B12 is is a water-soluble vitamin needed for normal nerve cell activity, DNA replication, and production of the mood-affecting substance SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine). Vitamin B12 acts with folic acid and vitamin B6 to control homocysteine levels. An excess of homocysteine is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and potentially other diseases such as osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease.
Vitamin B12 is found in all foods of animal origin, including dairy, eggs, meat, poultry, and fish. According to one report, small, inconsistent amounts occur in seaweed (including nori and chlorella) and tempeh. Many researchers and healthcare professionals believe that people cannot rely on vegetarian sources to provide predictably sufficient quantities of vitamin B12. However, another study found substantial amounts of vitamin B12 in nori (at least 55 mcg per 100 grams of dry weight).
The vitamin B-complex refers to all of the known essential water-soluble vitamins except for vitamin C. These include thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), biotin, folic acid and the cobalamins (vitamin B12).
“Vitamin B” was once thought to be a single nutrient that existed in extracts of rice, liver, or yeast. Researchers later discovered these extracts contained several vitamins, which were given distinguishing numbers. Unfortunately, this has led to an erroneous belief among non-scientists that these vitamins have a special relationship to each other. Further adding to confusion has been the “unofficial” designation of other substances as members of the B-complex, such as choline, inositol, and para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), even though they are not essential vitamins.
Each member of the B-complex has a unique structure and performs unique functions in the human body. Vitamins B1, B2, B3, and biotin participate in different aspects of energy production, vitamin B6 is essential for amino acid metabolism, and vitamin B12 and folic acid facilitate steps required for cell division. Each of these vitamins has many additional functions. However, contrary to popular belief, no functions require all B-complex vitamins simultaneously.
Human requirements for members of the B-complex vary considerably—from 3 mcg per day for vitamin B12 to 18 mg per day for vitamin B3 in adult males, for example. Therefore, taking equal amounts of each one—as provided in many B-complex supplements—makes little sense. Furthermore, there is little evidence supporting the use of megadoses of B-complex vitamins to combat everyday stress, boost energy, or control food cravings, unless a person has a deficiency of one or more of them. Again, contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence indicating people should take all B vitamins to avoid an imbalance when one or more individual B vitamin is taken for a specific health condition.
Most multivitamin-mineral products contain the B-complex along with the rest of the essential vitamins and minerals. Since they are more complete than B-complex vitamins alone, multiple vitamin-mineral supplements are recommended to improve overall micronutrient intake and prevent deficiencies.
Q: In the Vegan diet there is a concern the individual may suffer from Vitamin B-12 deficiency.?
In the Vegan diet there is a concern the individual may suffer from Vitamin B-12 deficiency. What precaution could be made in order to avoid this problem?
a.)Take a Vitamin Supplement
b) Purchase Fortified Soy products/Fortified Cereals
c.) Prepare foods with Olive Oil
d.) Answers a and b
And my other question is how is a DASH diet and a Vegan Diet the same?
a.) It’s a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
b.) It’s a diet low in saturated fats
c.) It’s a diet rich in animal products
d.) Answers a and b
A: This is useful for people worried about that:
Vitamin B12
Jump to: Introduction : Functions : Dietary Sources : Required Intakes
Introduction
Vitamin B12 is a member of the vitamin B complex. It contains cobalt, and so is also known as cobalamin. It is exclusively synthesised by bacteria and is found primarily in meat, eggs and dairy products. There has been considerable research into proposed plant sources of vitamin B12. Fermented soya products, seaweeds, and algae such as spirulina have all been suggested as containing significant B12. However, the present consensus is that any B12 present in plant foods is likely to be unavailable to humans and so these foods should not be relied upon as safe sources. Many vegan foods are supplemented with B12. Vitamin B12 is necessary for the synthesis of red blood cells, the maintenance of the nervous system, and growth and development in children. Deficiency can cause anaemia. Vitamin B12 neuropathy, involving the degeneration of nerve fibres and irreversible neurological damage, can also occur.
Functions
Vitamin B12’s primary functions are in the formation of red blood cells and the maintenence of a healthy nervous system. B12 is necessary for the rapid synthesis of DNA during cell division. This is especially important in tissues where cells are dividing rapidly, particularly the bone marrow tissues responsible for red blood cell formation. If B12 deficiency occurs, DNA production is disrupted and abnormal cells called megaloblasts occur. This results in anaemia. Symptoms include excessive tiredness, breathlessness, listlessness, pallor, and poor resistance to infection. Other symptoms can include a smooth, sore tongue and menstrual disorders. Anaemia may also be due to folic acid deficiency, folic acid also being necessary for DNA synthesis.
B12 is also important in maintaining the nervous system. Nerves are surrounded by an insulating fatty sheath comprised of a complex protein called myelin. B12 plays a vital role in the metabolism of fatty acids essential for the maintainence of myelin. Prolonged B12 deficiency can lead to nerve degeneration and irreversible neurological damage.
When deficiency occurs, it is more commonly linked to a failure to effectively absorb B12 from the intestine rather than a dietary deficiency. Absorption of B12 requires the secretion from the cells lining the stomach of a glycoprotein, known as intrinsic factor. The B12-intrinsic factor complex is then absorbed in the ileum (part of the small intestine) in the presence of calcium. Certain people are unable to produce intrinsic factor and the subsequent pernicious anaemia is treated with injections of B12.
Vitamin B12 can be stored in small amounts by the body. Total body store is 2-5mg in adults. Around 80% of this is stored in the liver.
Vitamin B12 is excreted in the bile and is effectively reabsorbed. This is known as enterohepatic circulation. The amount of B12 excreted in the bile can vary from 1 to 10ug (micrograms) a day. People on diets low in B12, including vegans and some vegetarians, may be obtaining more B12 from reabsorption than from dietary sources. Reabsorption is the reason it can take over 20 years for deficiency disease to develop in people changing to diets absent in B12. In comparison, if B12 deficiency is due to a failure in absorption it can take only 3 years for deficiency disease to occur.
Dietary Sources
The only reliable unfortified sources of vitamin B12 are meat, dairy products and eggs. 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. However, analysis of fermented soya products, including tempeh, miso, shoyu and tamari, found no significant B12.
Spirulina, an algae available as a dietary supplement in tablet form, and nori, a seaweed, have both appeared to contain significant amounts of B12 after analysis. However, it is thought that this is due to the presence of compounds structurally similar to B12, known as B12 analogues. These cannot be utilised to satisfy dietary needs. Assay methods used to detect B12 are unable to differentiate between B12 and it’s analogues, Analysis of possible B12 sources may give false positive results due to the presence of these analogues.
Researchers have suggested that supposed B12 supplements such as spirulina may in fact increase the risk of B12 deficiency disease, as the B12 analogues can compete with B12 and inhibit metabolism.
The current nutritional consensus is that no plant foods can be relied on as a safe source of vitamin B12.
Bacteria present in the large intestine are able to synthesise B12. In the past, it has been thought that the B12 produced by these colonic bacteria could be absorbed and utilised by humans. However, the bacteria produce B12 too far down the intestine for absorption to occur, B12 not being absorbed through the colon lining.
Human faeces can contain significant B12. A study has shown that a group of Iranian vegans obtained adequate B12 from unwashed vegetables which had been fertilised with human manure. Faecal contamination of vegetables and other plant foods can make a significant contribution to dietary needs, particularly in areas where hygiene standards may be low. This may be responsible for the lack of aneamia due to B12 deficiency in vegan communities in developing countries.
Good sources of vitamin B12 for vegetarians are dairy products or free-range eggs. ½ pint of milk (full fat or semi skimmed) contains 1.2 µg. A slice of vegetarian cheddar cheese (40g) contains 0.5 µg. A boiled egg contains 0.7 µg. Fermentation in the manufacture of yoghurt destroys much of the B12 present. Boiling milk can also destroy much of the B12.
Vegans are recommended to ensure their diet includes foods fortified with vitamin B12. A range of B12 fortified foods are available. These include yeast extracts, Vecon vegetable stock, veggieburger mixes, textured vegetable protein, soya milks, vegetable and sunflower margarines, and breakfast cereals
Q: Have you taken vitamin B-12 supplements?
Do they really help with fatigue, depression, and memory? Did you have any negative side effects with them?
A: the biggest thing to watch out for when taking any b vitamins is that they also act as a catalyst for cancer cells. they do speed up your matabolism and increase your energy level. the best thing to do is to learn to relax and enjoy yourself. and start loving life and realizing how good it can be.
there is no pill to make your life better or happier.
Q: Is taking a supplement the only way for a Vegan to get vitamin B-12?
A: Vitamin B12 is naturally found in foods including meat (especially liver and shellfish), eggs, and milk products. Fortified breakfast cereals are a particularly valuable source of vitamin B12 for vegetarians and vegans. Table 1 lists a variety of food sources of vitamin B12.
While lacto-ovo vegetarians usually get enough B12 through dairy products or eggs, it may be found lacking in those practicing vegan diets who do not use multivitamin supplements or eat B12 fortified foods, such as fortified cereals (including Cheerios), fortified soy-based products, and fortified energy bars. Claimed sources of B12 that have been shown through direct studies[citation needed] of vegans to be inadequate or unreliable include spirulina (an algae), nori (a seaweed), barley grass, and human gut bacteria. Several studies[citation needed] of vegans on raw food diets show that raw food offers no special protection against B12 deficiency either. The only known vegan sources of substantial B12, aside from multivitamin supplements and fortified foods, are the Chinese herb Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis), used for centuries for treating anemia, and certain brands of fortified nutritional yeast.[citation needed]
Interestingly, certain insects such as termites have been found to contain B12. [9]
Cyanocobalamin is also found in many energy drinks, such as Steven Seagal’s Lightning Bolt and Red Bull and XS Energy Drink.
Q: What is the bioavailability of vitamin C and B-12 supplements?
A: If they are synthetic, next to nothing. About 15% and synthetic can cause deficiencies.
Whole food forms, which are expensive and have undergone ORACo testing for bio availability, up to 90%.
Most vitamin/minerals and over the counter vitamin/minerals are pure junk. They are synthetic with binders and fillers with no standardization nor ORACo testing in human in vitro and in vivo blood tests.
People who buy Centrum or Kirkland from Cosco or GNC etc are all waisting their money.
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