B12 Deficiency: A Serious Silent Epidemic That’s Affecting Us All

November 10, 2014September 17, 2015Health And Wellness

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by Mark DeNicola

There are two common criticisms that vegetarians and vegans are accustomed to hearing on a regular basis from those who either disagree or refuse to accept their dietary choice.

The first is the famous protein myth, which centers around the idea that without meat in their regular diet vegans and vegetarians are bound to be protein deficient. Although many meats are widely recognized as a great source of protein, there are way more non-meat related protein packed options, many of which outperform popular meats in a per serving protein content comparison (find out more HERE, HERE or HERE).

The second is the argument centered around the all important nutrient B12, and for good reason as numerous studies have been done showing that it can be substantially harder – if not impossible – to come by in a vegetarian or vegan diet. It’s this subject that I would like to center this article around, to help us all better understand B12, why we all need it and why so many of us are lacking it, regardless of whether or not we eat meat regularly.

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What Exactly Is B12?

Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps to keep the body’s nerve and blood cells healthy, all while helping to make DNA -the genetic material in all of our cells. B12 is essential in preventing megaloblastic anemia which can make people feel both tired and weak.(2) The daily suggested intake of B12 varies based on age, but ranges from 0.4 – 2.8 mcg.

Traditionally B12 can be found in a variety of fish, – such as mackerel, clams and crabs – eggs, certain dairy byproducts and fortified soy products amongst several other things found in a conventional diet.(3) Since B12 is not found in any non-fortified, plant-based foods the commonly held belief is that animal-derived foods are the only true source of this essential nutrient.

However, the truth is that no foods – neither animal or plant – naturally contain vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 is a microbe (bacteria) produced by microorganisms and is the only vitamin that contains a trace element: cobalt.(7) How certain animal meats manage to become a source of B12 is that the animal tissue stores the bacteria-synthesized B12 in that which they also consume.

B12 Deficiency Is Impacting Us All

A recent Tufts University study found that 40% of people aged 26-83 have B12 levels in the low-normal range, a value that becomes even more significant considering that the measurement scale varies from country to country.(1) The other astonishing factor is that the deficiency has been found to be just as common in younger generations as it is in the elderly, making it an oddball from most degenerative issues.

Despite this seemingly widespread deficiency, B12 related symptoms continue to be blindly suffered by many since it is not tested for routinely. Common side effects of a B12 deficiency include:

Fatigue/ Tiredness
Weakness
Constipation
Loss of Appetite/ Weight Loss
Megaloblastic Anemia

It is also worth noting that there are four stages to B12 deficiency: 1) a decline in blood levels of the vitamin, 2) low cellular concentrations of the vitamin, 3) an increased blood level of homocysteine, decreased DNA synthesis rate, 4) macrocytic anemia. (1)

The Real Culprit

Believe it or not, historically most would receive a sufficient amount of B12 daily simply by being in close contact with farm animals since cow, chicken, sheep and many other animal feces all contain large amounts of active B12. Since these feces are regularly used as a manure to grow crops, B12 would be consumed as a residue bacteria living on un-sanitized vegetables.

The real culprit as to why we now live in a society swamped in B12 deficiency is that we have manufactured an un-natural environment. Our surroundings have and are continually sanitized and stripped of their natural nutrients by fanatical washing, powerful cleansers, antiseptics and antibiotics.(8)

Am I suggesting that our overall move toward cleanliness was a mistake that we should take back? Absolutely not, but our B12 deficiency may be one of the major unwanted side effects to this particular stride “forward.”

How To Get Enough B12, No Matter Your Dietary Choice

Whether you eat all meats, are a vegan or any other dietary choice in between there are a growing number of ways to ensure that you getting enough B12 in your regular diet. The first and most important step is to begin monitoring your B12 levels, especially since it is not tested for routinely. Ask a trusted practitioner to help you get a reading of your current B12 level and also closely monitor your own life for any of the above-mentioned symptoms.

If you are B12 deficient look into a dietary choice or supplement that best fits you. B12 is available in a variety of ways, including but not limited to as a vitamin supplement, as an injection and as droplets. Thanks to a recommendation, one particular B12 source that has recently caught the attention of several CE members is E3Live. According to the product description E3Live is a wild-grown, organic, USDA approved, certified kosher liquid superfood that has more blood-building, oxygen attracting chlorophyll than any other food. It is said to contain every mineral, including human active Vitamin B12.(5)

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Mark DeNicola – I joined the CE team, where this article first appeared, in 2010 & have contributed as much as I can ever since as a writer, director & admin. Feel free to e-mail with any questions, comments or just to connect: [email protected] — My other passion in life is acting, you can find out more about that side of me by visiting my personal acting website: www.mark-denicola.com