Should I take a B-12 supplement?

[hollywood926]

I am taking a One-A-Day vitamin with everything (I guess) in it, but that's it. Should I be taking something more appropriate for someone who's no longer eating meat?

[Stuckinthebush]

1. I take a multi-vitamin once a day

and flax seed oil. The multi-vitamin should do the trick for the b-12. I'd be interested to hear other opinions, though.

[AlienGirl]

2. A good multivitamin is a good idea for *anyone*

Chances are your multivitamin already has B-12 in it; and if not, you'll find most cereals are fortified with B-12. If you're really worried, have your doctor run a B-12 blood test on you at your next physical...I've had one done every time I got my blood drawn for the past decade, and my levels are always fine, even after giving birth to and breastfeeding two kids--the events most likely to deplete B-12 levels.

Tucker

[Catchawave]

3. I just read an article recently that Centrum brand

daily vitamins are the best as far as complete and balanced. I take the Silver, which is rec'd for 50+.

I think the B-12 concern has been promoted by the meat industry, when in fact, meat eaters lack far more essential nutrients than ve*gans !

You can probably find more good nutritional info at:

http://www.vegsource.com/

It's a great debunker site too :)

[livinginphotographs]

4. I've taken the same multi-vitamin for years

Even before I was vegan. It has 300% of my daily allowance of B12, so if you take one of those, I wouldn't worry about it.

Another thing to think about: the high protein content of meat and dairy usually means you end up passing most of the nutrients, so you're probably better off getting your B12 this way.