If you're a vegetarian or thinking about becoming one, then you need to be aware that all vegetarians, especially vegans, are at risk for a vitamin B12 deficiency. The reason is that the human body cannot make vitamin B12, and animal products are the only reliable sources of this essential nutrient. Maybe you already knew that, but did you know that there are over seven forms of vitamin B12? Only two forms are biologically active in humans, and neither one of these is the form that's used in most vitamin supplements and fortified foods.
This book discusses the many names and forms of vitamin B12, how the body metabolizes them, and how to avoid a deficiency through diet and lifestyle choices. It also answers questions such as:
Why are there meat eaters with a vitamin B12 deficiency?
What happens to the cyanide produced during vitamin B12 metabolism?
How much vitamin B12 do you really need?
Why aren't spirulina (cyanobacteria) and tempeh (fermented soy) good sources of vitamin B12?
This book discusses the many names and forms of vitamin B12, how the body metabolizes them, and how to avoid a deficiency through diet and lifestyle choices. It also answers questions such as:
Why are there meat eaters with a vitamin B12 deficiency?
What happens to the cyanide produced during vitamin B12 metabolism?
How much vitamin B12 do you really need?
Why aren't spirulina (cyanobacteria) and tempeh (fermented soy) good sources of vitamin B12?
