Vitamin B12

In a random test on 21 diabetics conducted by us, we found that about half of them had B12
deficiency, and none of them were vegan. Of those who were not deficient, some were on B
complex supplements, which included vitamin B12.
How is itamin B12 produced!
"ymptoms of itamin B12 deficiency
How to #est $or itamin B12
How to ta%e itamin B12
&re itamin B12 supplements toxic!

How is Vitamin B12 produced?
itamin B12 is produced by bacteria and micro organisms. 'eat and mil% are full of bacteria
because they are decaying substances and so these foods have plenty of B12. However, many
non(vegetarians and vegetarians, especially those aged )* and up are deficient too. itamin B12
is absorbed by the intrinsic factor in the stomach. High protein from meat and mil% force the
stomach to produce more acid to digest them. +,roteins are digested mainly in the stomach.- #his
high acid secretion not only is one of the causes of acidity but also destroys the lining of the
stomach so that the intrinsic factor is deficient. #hus vitamin B12 is not absorbed. .on(
vegetarians and vegetarians who become vitamin B12 deficient may not be able to absorb
vitamin B12 and need to ta%e in/ections. egans may be able to absorb vitamin B12 but are
unli%ely to get enough of it on a plant(based diet. #his is because of our present day lives which
are unnaturally hygienic. 'icro organisms naturally available in our food are destroyed or
removed due to0
Irradiation of fruits and vegetables
,esticides used in farming
1hlorine or other forms of saniti2ing drin%ing water
3ashing fruits and vegetables well
,reservatives used in pac%aged food
High hygiene levels in our lifestyles
'odern day toothpastes with #riclosan which destroy oral bacteria
&lcohol consumption
&nd the use of the microwave

In a more natural world, vitamin B12 could be naturally available to vegans in the form of
organic fruits and vegetables straight off the farm, pond water, river water or other natural
drin%ing water etc. .ature always made provisions for us to get enough of vitamin B12 in the
most natural and cruelty(free ways. Infact some raw vegans find that their B12 levels are good
without supplementation due to the abundance of fermented foods and drin%s that they consume.
In the past most cultures ate fermented foods li%e idli, dosa, miso, %imchi, sauer%raut, re/euvelac
and of course present day vegan foods li%e vegan yogurt or curds, tempeh, natto etc. &slo
provide B12. 4et, in most cases vegans do not get enough B12. #his can be because some of
these foods are made commercially these days, and 5 or because we don6t eat enough of them to
provide for our vitamin B12 needs.
itamin B12 deficiency may be less common in the 3est, especially in the 7", where soya mil%
and other ready(made foods are fortified with vitamin B12. "ometimes people who have come
bac% or are visiting India from the 3est may develop symptoms after a few months, which they
never had in the 3est.
'any people who want to live naturally, are averse to ta%ing vitamin B12 supplements and this
may not cause a problem for a number of years, since vitamin B12 can be stored in our body, but
sooner or later this problem can catch up. #herefore it is important that everybody %eeps a chec%.
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency
"ymptoms can range widely and may not manifest themselves at all, because vitamin B12 is
re8uired by all cells of the body. "ome of the common symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are
wea%ness, apathy, memory loss, acidity, loss of weight, nausea and vomiting, anaemia, mental
confusion, delusions, paranoia, respiratory symptoms, hives and other symptoms of allergy. &
long(term deficiency can lead to heart attac%s or stro%e 9 the very problems that a healthy vegan
diet can prevent. :ong(term vitamin B12 deficiency can cause irreversible damage to the brain
and nervous system.
B12 can be stored for up to 3 years
3hen you first switch to a plant(based diet, you may or may not have vitamin B12 deficiency.
#his can be determined by a simple test. ;ven if B12 deficiency is not present, it is li%ely to
occur in the future. It6s always better to %eep chec%ing or ta%e a B12 supplement as an insurance.
#here are 2 %inds of vitamin B12 9 methylcobalamin and cynocobalamin. 'ethylcobalamin is
the %ind which is used by our body. Our body cannot efficiently use cynocobalamin. "pirulina
and 1horella contain cynocobalamin and not methylcobalamin, and hence are not good sources
of vitamin B12. "ome vitamin B complex supplements also contain cynocobalamin rather than
methylcobalamin<
How to Test for Vitamin B12
#here are = main tests for vitamin B12
1. "erum B12.
#he normal range is 2>> to ?>> pg5ml. +,lease note that your B12 may have been measured by
another system 9 pmol5l so you should see the normal range described in your report.- If your
B12 is less than 1*> it is very low. & good level is around =>>. If a cynocobalamin source is
consumed these levels may be high but the B12 is still not usable by the body. In this case its
better to rely on one of the other two tests.
2. Homocysteine level
High homocysteine levels are an indicator that the usable vitamin B12 is low, and should be
supplemented. If "erum B12 levels are normal but homocysteine is high +common in people
ta%ing cynocobalamin supplements-, a methylcobalamin supplement is necessary.
). ''& 9 'ethylmalonic &cid, serum0 ''&, along with homocysteine, helps diagnose an
early or mild B12 deficiency. If ''& and homocysteine levels are increased, then vitamin B12
deficiency may be present, indicating less available B12 at the tissue level. If only homocysteine
is elevated, then folic acid may be low or not being metabolism properly. If ''& and
homocysteine levels are normal, it is unli%ely that there is a B12 deficiency.
=. Holotranscobalamin
this test is not done everywhere and is expensive but it6s the best test because it measures usable
B12.
7nder normal circumstances Its o% to rely on "erum B12 if cynocobalamin supplements not
being ta%en. Otherwise homocysteine levels are more reliable. &lternatively both serum vitamin
B12 and homocysteine levels can be tested.
How to take Vitamin B12
"ome people prefer to not ta%e vitamin B12 because they feel its unnatural to ta%e any
supplements. I was one of them. However I now understand that this rule applies only to people
who live in a natural world where they can drin% water from the river or pond and the fruits and
vegetables grow in their bac%yard. However everyone should still get their B12 levels chec%ed
and ma%e sure they have healthy levels. In some countries foods are fortified and levels may be
o%. In others li%e India, one has to be more careful.
1. Vitamin B12 can be taken orally. If deficiency is low and the absorption of vitamin B12 is
not yet affected, one can opt for this. #here are many preparations available in India. 'ethycobal
*>>'cg by 3oc%hardt is recommended. Other options are .uro%ind by 'an%ind, and $olinext
by Otsira genetics. $olinext contains both $olic acid and methylcobalamin. #a%e one tablet daily
initially when the deficiency is detected. &fter ) months, get your blood levels chec%ed again
and see if levels are normal. Once your blood levels reach normal ta%e one tablet every alternate
day for life. & vegan diet is deficient in B12 but even if you are not vegan, B12 deficiencies are
not rare. In case you are not vegan and your B12 levels are low, it means you are not absorbing
B12. In this case the only option is in/ections.
2. Inectable !itamin B 120 If the deficiency is very severe, or you are not vegan, but deficient,
you should ta%e in/ections. In case you are a vegan you may be able to absorb, so after the initial
in/ections you could switch to tablets and continue for life or you may chose to ta%e regular
in/ections +about once in two months-.
"ptions#
In/ection ;ldervit from ;lder 1ompany is recommended. It comes as a combi pac% of two vials.
.o.1. vial contains vitamin B12, 2*>>mcg with $olic acid >.@mg, and .iacinamide 12 mg. .o.2
vial contains itamin 1, 1*> mg. .o. 1 vial can be ta%en as it is or mixed with no. 2 vial. 'ixed
is better for absorption of vitamin B12. &bout 1> in/ections may be re8uired initially in one
month depending upon the severity of deficiency. :ater one in/ection every two months is good
as a maintenance dose.
In/ection itcofol . #his contains B12 and $olic acid. #a%e a total of 2 vials +each vial 1> ml- in
the following way0 #a%e 2ml twice a wee% of itcofol for 1* days. &fter that, 2ml each wee%.
#his should be enough to lift the B12 levels. #he second vial would last for one month and one
wee%.
In/ection 'ethycobalamin 9 this contains only vitamin B12 but is in the same dosage as the
itcofol in/ection and comes in similar si2ed vials of 1>ml each. #his can be ta%en in exactly the
same way as you would ta%e itcofol. #his is not painful. #he other one is a little painful.
In case you experience some side effects after the in/ection they should not last for long.
In/ections should be given to you by a doctor after a test dose for the first time.
'any vegans avoid ta%ing vitamin B12 because they are fearful that it will contain animal
ingredients. #his is unli%ely because vit B12 is made by bacteria. However Aiana Batnagar,
B316s chairperson too% the effort of writing to 3oc%hardt to chec% about their C'ethylcobal6.
D'ethycobal has no animal ingredients and it is not tested on animalsE was the firm reply from
3oc%hardt. ,lease do not hesitate to ta%e it for this reason.
$re Vitamin B12 supplements to%ic?
itamin B12 supplements have no %nown toxicity for all intent and purposes. #oo much will not
%ill, too little can. #herefore it is better to be safe than sorry.