Raw Food And Vitamin B12

Sisters by Vojko Kalan

We all have questions from one time or another about different aspects of life. The same is true with our diet and what we eat. We begin to research and ask our questions, but daily life gets in the way. After some time goes by we most likely forget about our question because of the busyness of our days. I am finding that businesses count on this fact, and often will give small pat answers to satisfy the moment. The businesses bank on the fact that your concern will be quickly overshadowed by the rigors of life and quickly forgotten.

Our diets are an important aspect of life. Our diet is the basis of our nutrition. One of the great things about being a writer is that I do a lot of research. Yes, I am not normal and probably have way too much time on my hands. But when it comes to my personal health and the information I place here on the blog, I must do the research and present the facts as I find them. Sometimes, this may go against so-called party lines of raw foodism but life is not about being labeled by our diet either.

Vitamin B12 is something I have been doing a lot of research on lately, for personal reasons. Vitamin B12 is essential for good brain health and also is vital to our nervous system. There is a lot of controversy surrounding B12 and just how much we need and where we get it from. Depending upon which side of the fence you are on, you will hear competing theories. I found this to be very true especially when confronting raw food supplement companies and raw food authorities. I also encountered the exact opposite information from well known dietitians and government studies. Most people would probably let this question pass and that is where the problem really begins.

There are food products and superfoods on the market today that are completely plant based and can honestly make the claim of containing B12. However, what does not have to be on the package is that the B12 the product contains does the human body absolutely no good. This is a fact. The B12 in products like spirulina and algae is a B12 analogue. They have the Same properties and make up as B12, but are completely unusable by our bodies. There are dozens of independent studies by universities and hospitals confirming this. However, supplement and superfood companies are not required to inform us of this quite important fact. Now before I go much further let me add that spirulina and algae products have great nutritional qualities, just not in the way of beneficial B12.

Talk to people about raw foods and the raw food lifestyle and inevitably the subject is going to turn to Vitamin B12. Why? Because Vitamin B12 is not in any plant based food. Vitamin B12 is only found in meat and dairy products. This is not speculation, it is a cold hard fact. However what is speculation, is just how much Vitamin B12 a person needs in their diet and whether the body creates enough on its own to make the controversy null and void.

What Is Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 is also known as cobalt, and it has a major role in the proper function of the brain and nervous system. Many of the brain diseases and disorders such as Alzheimer’s, are directly or indirectly due to a Vitamin B12 deficiency. It also assists with the formation of blood within our bodies. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is created by a bacteria found only in meat and dairy products.

Many health food and superfood products make claims to containing B12. While products like spirulina, fermented soy milk and algae products do contain Vitamin B12, it is not the actual vitamin but an analogue with the same characteristics of B12. The Vitamin B12 analogues however cannot be utilized by the body. There is some research that suggest the analogue B12 found in foods such as spirulina may contribute to a B12 deficiency because the analogue will compete with Vitamin B12 and inhibit metabolism which results in no absorption by the body.

The Body Makes Its Own Vitamin B12

Our bodies do store Vitamin B12 in the liver. The body also does create Vitamin B12 in the intestinal tract, however it is largely made within the colon where no absorption can occur. People that eat diets low on Vitamin B12 may not show signs of a deficiency for 20 years. This is largely due in part that the body is reabsorbing Vitamin B12 that the liver releases. Vitamin B12 is excreted from our waste and is reabsorbed by the body. The amounts can vary, but people who eat diets that are low on B12 usually obtain it through this re-absorption. Many years of re-absorption with no new intake of B12 is why most people see no deficiency for this time.

Deficiencies are often linked to a failure to absorb Vitamin B12 effectively from the intestinal tract rather than strictly a diet deficiency. Proper absorption requires a special protein in the lining of the stomach known as the intrinsic factor. The B12 combined with the intrinsic factor is then absorbed into a part of the small intestine with the help of calcium. People who do not have the ability to produce the intrinsic factor are often injected with B12 on a regular basis.

Deficiencies

Some of the symptoms associated with a Vitamin B12 deficiency are tiredness and poor resistance to infection. If you have been on a high raw lifestyle, as I am, your body should be very resistant to infection. If you are having issues with colds or not feeling all together healthy, have your blood checked for B12 when you see your doctor. It is always best to be cautious when it comes to our health. Other symptoms can include a smooth tongue that is sore and menstrual disorders.

Remember too, that Vitamin B12 is vital in maintaining a healthy nervous system. Extended B12 deficiency can lead to nerve degeneration and irreversible brain damage. I am not placing this information to scare anybody, the fact is even if a person has a deficiency that is shown in three years it can be corrected with supplementation. But, you and I both need to be aware of the reality of not only the necessity of B12 but also where it is available and our options.

Sources

So where are we to get our supply of Vitamin B12? The body requires very little of this vital vitamin. The obvious choice would be to take a supplemental Vitamin B12 with 5 to 10 MICROgrams daily or one that has 2000MICROgrams once a week. Notice the measurement is MICRO and not milligram. There is a huge difference. If you decide to go the supplement route, find brands like NOW that are not full of useless fillers. No that is not an affiliate link to NOW Foods, but it is a brand I trust.

There are also sprays on the market like Natures Plus Shot-O-B12. This is one that I have just heard about. I asked a person within the raw food community whom I respect very highly, and they seem to like this.

Another avenue is fortified soy milk. Now this is where we veer of the raw food, however if this is how you would prefer to obtain your B12 there is no harm. Again this is not about labeling ourselves by what we eat but more eating healthy and naturally and consuming the best foods that Nature has to offer in their most natural state. Unfortunately, our environment is not what it was and there are some things that we need to make healthy and comfortable choices about.

Yet another aspect you may consider is free-range eggs. If you are going to incorporate eggs, be sure to purchase free range eggs which are not subjected to antibiotics or chemicals. It will take about 4 hard-boiled eggs a day to equal the amount of B12 you will need daily.

It is also a good idea to have your blood tested once a year. It is a small price to pay to individually ensure that you are providing your body what it needs.

Although some of the above choices are not raw foods, it is important that you and I know what the healthy options are. We all want to live healthy and vibrant. Eating raw foods is the key component to a long, healthy life. Being aware of your individual needs are also an important aspect.

March 10, 2010  Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,   Posted in: Raw Food Living  No Comments

Saving Money By Gardening Fresh Raw Food

Three Colors by Petr Kratochvil

One of the best ways we can save money at the grocery store is to grow some of our own vegetables at home. It doesn’t have to be a big garden, just the main vegetables you eat a lot of. Here at the apartment we are preparing to grow spinach, kale, romaine, peppers, tomato, cantaloupe and lots of herbs as well as sprouts. These are things that we eat daily either in salads or green smoothies. The key is to grow a couple of things you will eat. Not only will you know that the veggies are pesticide free but because you most likely eat them right from your garden, you’ll be consuming raw LIVE food.

My grandparents, especially my grandfather, were really big on organic gardening way back in the mid to late 70s. My grandfather retired from the construction business and began a worm farm and used the soil to plant beautiful vegetables. I remember one picture where he is standing next to some rhubarb with his arm stretched above his head. The rhubarb was taller than his arm and he stood 6-foot tall. As a kid we used to go over to their house every weekend to work in the garden. I didn’t much like it back then, but looking back I realize that my grandfather taught me some valuable lessons in organic gardening.

As the cold air begins to be over taken by the warm breezes of spring, it is time to start thinking about planting your organic vegetable garden. There is much to do in the coming weeks to prepare for planting seeds. Where to place the garden, preparing the soil and determining the best time to plant the garden.

Soil
Begin adding fresh organic matter to your garden soil. When the weather begins to warm a little, turn the soil to mix the top organic matter with your soil. Not only will you be breaking up the compacting of the soil from a hard winter, but you will be building up the food supply for your vegetable plants.

Before The Last Spring Frost
There are many cold weather vegetables that you can start planting in your garden before the last spring frost. Vegetables like spinach, lettuce, radishes and kale can be started as soon as you can begin to work in the soil . Spinach seeds actually germinate better at soils at or just above 40-45 degrees. The more organic compost you have in your garden, the earlier you will be able to start these seeds. The hard soil retains moisture and keeps the soil too cold when no organic matter is mixed in with the soil.

Now is also a good time to start germinating some seeds indoors to be transplants in a few weeks. Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower can be planted in seedling pot and placed on warm window sills during the day. Remember to move these seedling away from the windows after the sun goes down.

Early Season Vegetables
Begin preparing your organic vegetable garden beds for your transplants. Carefully transplant your seedlings that you started just a few weeks ago. Place some more organic matter around these seedlings to protect them from frost. It is a good idea to lay a layer of straw around you’re your garden and the plants. The straw will break down to add organic matter to the soil and will act as a protector for the few cooler nights that are left before the last spring frost.

Regular Season
After the last spring frost you can plant the rest of your organic vegetable garden. Row crops, tomato and pepper plants as well as all of your other delicious vegetables can be planted. Have some straw nearby should you encounter one of those unexpected frosts that always seem to come along when we least expect them. Again, the straw will protect your young plants and seeds should the need arise.

Succession Planting
You can begin harvesting your early crops early in the growing season. As these crops live out their life cycle, you can replace them with other crops like bush beans, lettuces, radishes and carrots.

One thing to keep in mind is that what you will grow and when to grow it will depend largely on your location. It is always a good idea to check with your local extension office or your local nursery for specific planting information for your area.

March 10, 2010  Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,   Posted in: Indoor Gardening And Outdoor Gardening  No Comments