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Writer's pictureDr. Kathleen Jones

Vegans, Omnivores, and Vitamin B12

Updated: Jul 19, 2022

Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in your wellness, helping your body make DNA, regulate

your nervous system, and produce healthy red blood cells. Since your body cannot

produce Vitamin B12 on its own, it’s important that you get B12 from your diet or from

the supplements you take.


Which foods contain Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 naturally occurs in many animal products such as meat, fish, dairy, and

eggs. Beef liver and clams, specifically, contain some of the highest amounts of B12.

If you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, it is important to include foods in your diet that

have been fortified with B12. Many breakfast cereals, plant based milks, some types of

bread, nutritional yeast, and energy bars are now fortified with B12. Just check the

label!


What are the signs of Vitamin B12 deficiency, and who is at risk for it?

Common signs of Vitamin B12 deficiency are fatigue, memory problems, unexplained

weight loss, constipation and problems with coordination. B12 deficiency can eventually

lead to anemia if left untreated. As we age, many of us do not produce enough stomach

acid to properly break down and absorb nutrients, including B12. If you are over the age

of fifty, we recommend adding fortified foods to your diet and taking a B12 supplement

regularly, as these are easier for your body to absorb. If you have undergone

gastrointestinal surgery (e.g., weight loss surgery), or you have a digestive disorder like

Celiac disease or Crohn’s disease, you may also be at a higher risk of B12 deficiency,

as these conditions affect the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.


How can I get a Vitamin B12 supplement?

We offer multivitamins that contain B12, as well as several B12-specific supplements.

Our favorite is the FullScript Sublingual B12 supplement, available on our online store at https://www.eohinfo.com/store.


If you would like to know more about our vitamin supplements or you are concerned about B-12 deficiency, call us (614) 985-1435 to speak with one of our team members.





Sources

McDermott, Annette. 2017. Foods Rich in Vitamin B12 for Any Diet. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/vitamin-b-12-foods#vegan-options

Walsh, Stephen. 2001. What Every Vegan Should Know About Vitamin B12. The Vegan Society.

https://www.vegansociety.com/resources/nutrition-and-health/nutrients/vitamin-b12/what -every-vegan-should-know-about-vitamin-b12

West, Helen. 2017. 9 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-b12-deficiency-symptoms#TOC_TITLE_HD R_3

Unknown Author. 2021. Vitamin B12. National Institutes of Health.


Big thanks to ghostwriter MJ Torres.




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