INFOGRAPHIC on Vitamin B-12 Deficiency

 

For vegetarians and vegans, Vitamin B-12 deficiency is a real problem.  From exhaustion to mood swings and from training injuries to mouth sores, Vitamin B-12 deficiencies can manifest themselves differently in each individual.  As Vitamin B-12 is not readily available in plant based whole food diets, it is essential to learn more about the Vitamin B12 deficiency and what it means to you.

 

According to T. Colin Campbell, “Of all the nutritional concerns that can plague vegetarians – and especially complete vegetarians or vegans – I doubt any is more daunting than the specter of vitamin B12 deficiency. This is especially so because conventional wisdom has it that this essential vitamin is virtually unavailable from plant foods.”

 

So what is Vitamin B-12 Deficiency and what does Vitamin B12 do for us?  Here’s a quick infographic plus important T. Colin Campbell research below it:

 

 

Vitamin B-12 Deficiency Infographic

 

 – affects 67% of Americans (not just vegans and vegetarians!)

 – 47 million Americans may be Vitamin B-12 deficient (many don’t know it)

 – 50% of vegetarians and 80% of vegans are deficient in Vitamin B12

 

Natural sources of Vitamin B-12 can be found in meat, fish/shellfish, dairy and supplements.  Our bodies don’t produce B-12 as it is only produced by bacteria.  The daily recommended intake of Vitamin B12 is at least 2.4 micro grams every day (not much, but required).

 

People who have a greater risk of B12 deficiency include: Age 50+, anemics, alcoholics, vegans, vegetarians, celiac or IBS, Chrohn’s colitis, infertility issues, stomach surgery, autoimmune disorder, bacterial growth and diabetics.

 

The symptoms and effects of B12 deficiency include: memory loss, depression and fatigue.  Other symptoms of the Vitamin B12 deficiency includes: arthritis, cognitive difficulties, mood swings, rosacea, poor digestion, vertigo, brittle and flaky nails, tingling limbs, shortness of breath, eczema, dry skin, acne, jaundice, burning hands and feet, dizziness or fainting, weakness, arrhythmia, bad balance and hair loss.

 

This Vitamin B12 infographic is brought to you by Natural Healthy Concepts.  Thank you!

 

 

T. Colin Campbell, through years of extensive research and study has come up with these conclusions on Vitamin B-12 deficiency in vegetarians and vegans:

 

1. Contrary to the most recent U.S. Dietary Guidelines, B12 can be found in plants.

2. Organically grown plants contain higher levels of B12 than plants grown non-organically with chemical fertilizers.

3. Plant roots are able to absorb certain vitamins produced by soil microorganisms, thus suggesting that plants grown in healthy soil, full of microflora and microfauna, are more nutritious.

4. Vegans – and anyone else – should be able to obtain B12 by consuming organically grown produce.

5. Evidence that plants obtain vitamins from the soil has been available for several decades.

 

You can read more about T. Colin Campbell’s Vitamin B-12 research and studies online here.