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From:	Michel B. (189.100.84.139)
Subject:	B12 controversy and new info
Date:	March 3, 2012 at 12:57 pm PST

In Reply to: Re: B-12 controversy posted by Dr. Doug Graham on March 3, 2012 at 11:17 am:

Thanks a lot for your reply Doctor D.

A thought that absorption would be compromised in an
SAD dieter because his digestion, intestines, etc.
would probably be compromised, if we compare him to
a raw fooder or even a "normal" vegan, we all know
that meat makes everything fuzzy when it comes to
digestion.

From what I remember, it seems that the intrisic
factor, which helps in B12 absorption, is
hindered/lowered when you have more fat in your diet
than you should, so I thought people who ate less
healthy would absorb less B12.

I've been researching on the net about the matter,
and came up with two websites that give a total
different view on the subject.

For example, in this website
(http://tuberose.com/Vitamins.html), it reads:
"[...] Individuals taking conventional diets need
only about 0.1 micrograms of B12 per day even though
conventional diets contain excess fat, animal
protein and refined foods all of which increase the
need for B12. True vegetarians require only 0.05
micrograms of B12 daily. An ounce of the roots of
leeks, beets and other vegetables will provide 0.1
to 0.3 mcg. of B1, more than a day's supply. The
routine use of vitamin B12 is not advised. Cases of
increased cancer production in animals receiving
high levels of B12 have been published. A group of
French investigators reported a series of cases
suggesting that B12 may stimulate multiplication of
cancer cells and aggravate the disease. Patients
with rheumatoid arthritis present serum B12 levels
significantly higher than normal subjects. It is
also known to be higher in patients with ulcerative
colitis, leukemia and other serious illnesses.
Breast-fed infants get only a tiny fraction of a
microgram of B12 per day, even if their mothers are
on a high intake. Yet, they can build neurological
tissue, convert their hemoglobin from F to A type,
and do other complex functions dependent on B12.
Iron deficiency interferes with absorption of B12.
Large doses of vitamin B1 can also destroy vitamin
B12, as can the use of oral contraceptives. Lactose
intolerance may increase B12 needs."

Clearly, this is very different from common B12
knowledge because, for instance, most of the
nutricionists say that daily requirements for B12
are about 2.5 mcg. This website states a value much
much lower. There seem to be no source in this
website.

In this one thought, there's sources
(http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?2910-7-
points-debunking-some-B12-myths).

Some shocking statements:
"[...] 23) Ochromonas malhamensis is the most
precise and accurate method to trace B12 in food and
individuate the analogue from the human utilisable
24) Laboratory head Dr Fukuoca and H Barker, found
that B12 content of meat, liver, eggs, cheese, milk
was 99% less than what SP showed and found zero
human utilisable B12 in all these foods once they
were tested with Ochromonas malhamensis instead of
SP.
Ochromonas malhamensis is rarely used because it's
not easy to manage and it costs too much, that's why
every food composition table of utilisable by man
B12 in food is wrong and false
25) Vegetables and many fruits (even when washed)
show to contain B12.
Usually plant food have cobamides ATCC 9614 cultures
producing this vitamin. [...]"

This, if true, debunks the argument that SAD dieters
get more B12 because, from their source of the
vitamin, they don't get any.

I'm sorry for the long post, and I appreciate the
attention you already gave. It's just that this B12
matter scares me since I became a vegetarian, back
in 2009.

Read the statements I pasted here and/or the links
if you will. It's another source of (maybe good)
information.

Thanks.

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