B12

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--- JOEL FUHRMAN, M.D. ON VEGANS AND

B-12:<br><br> In recent years the evidence has become

irrefutable--the<br>majority of long-term vegans develop elevations

in<br>methylmalonic acid (MMA), documenting damage to

nervous<br>tissue from B12 deficiency. I have already seen

multiple<br>hygienic/vegans with paralysis and nerve damage from

B12<br>deficiency and others with heart damage from B12 deficiency.

<br><br> Furthermore, the high folate content of the diet

masks<br>the macrocytic anemia that physicians expect to see

in B12<br>deficiency. It is entirely irresponsible

for a health<br>professional not to recommend B12

supplementation in some<br>form or frequent monitoring of MMA

with blood tests for<br>those who do not consume any

animal products in their<br>diets. No controversy

exists.<br> <br> No unsupplemented plant food has adequate

B12 to assure<br>adequacy. However, our B12 needs are

very small. One<br>multivitamin or one B12 supplement

(lowest dose available<br>is still overkill) per week

will do it. <br><br> The only reason a person would

need more would be in<br>pernacious anemia (a lack of

intrinsic factor.) In that<br>unusual condition, patients

need larger doses of B12,<br>monthly injections or B12

1000 multiple times per week.--<br>Excerpted from a

posting on Dr. Fuhrman's Online

Forum<br><br><a href=http://www.DrFuhrman.com/

target=new>http://www.DrFuhrman.com/</a>