[lilcoco]

Hi, I'm currently lacto-ovo but considering going vegan. My question is, if vitamin B12 can only be obtained from animal sources, where do vegan B12 supplements and B12 in vegan fortified food come from?

 

[GhostUser]

elfin magic? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/tongue3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[froggythefrog]

B-12 does not come from only animal sources. It is produced by bacteria (which animals harbor). You can find many vegan foods supplemented with B-12, such as soymilk and cereal. You can also get B-12 supplements that are not derived from animal sources, but are either synthetic or cultured.<br><br><br><br>
Purpelle: I think that would be elvin magic, no?

 

[madder]

Here is some info:<br><br><br><br><a href="http://www.vegsoc.org/info/b12.html" target="_blank">http://www.vegsoc.org/info/b12.html</a>

 

[Blobbenstein]

Vitamin b12 is a catalyst<br><br><br><br><i><b>catalyst: Chemistry. A substance, usually used in small amounts relative to the reactants, that modifies and increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process.</b></i><br><br><br><br>
that is it doesn't get used up in a chemical reaction which is why you only need relatively small amounts of it.

 

[everything_is]

vegans and vegetarians can get B12 in spirulina algae powder which you can buy in health food shops. you only need about a teaspoon a day and you can mix it into some fruit juice to take the taste away.

 

[Lothar M Kirsch]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>everything_is</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
vegans and vegetarians can get B12 in spirulina algae powder which you can buy in health food shops. you only need about a teaspoon a day and you can mix it into some fruit juice to take the taste away.</div>
</div>
<br>
Oops, that's a no. Algae aren't a source of vitamin B12, they rather contain lots of B12 analogues that interfere with the absorption of B12. If someone doesn't have a reliable source of vitamin B12, algae with analogues are definitely the wrong advice/choice.

 

[everything_is]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Lothar M Kirsch</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Oops, that's a no. Algae aren't a source of vitamin B12, they rather contain lots of B12 analogues that interfere with the absorption of B12. If someone doesn't have a reliable source of vitamin B12, algae with analogues are definitely the wrong advice/choice.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
ahh ooops<br><br>
i met a vegan today who advised me on this for B12<br><br>
nevermind

 

[Aprilx]

Well, seeing as how the animals people eat to get B12 are vegans why would human vegans have any trouble getting B12?

 

[Blobbenstein]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Aprilx</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Well, seeing as how the animals people eat to get B12 are vegans why would human vegans have any trouble getting B12?</div>
</div>
<br><br><br><br><br>
I think that B12 is produced by bacteria in the gut. Humans haven't got the right kind of gut for this to work. I think that is the problem.

 

[Lothar M Kirsch]

Humans also produce B12 in the colon, but it's too far down to be absorbed as B12 is absorbed in the duodenum and ileum (sorry for the medical terms).<br><br>
everything_is: please tell your vegan friend to look for a better/reliable source of B12.