Vegan/Vegetarian - Page 3

kokopuffs · #31 05-02-2001, 07:37 AM

Pastachef:

A vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to Pernicious Anemia, premature destruction of red blood cells. Symptoms can include fatigue and lethargy. The deficiency occurs commonly among strict vegetarians and alcoholics. Still, there are some people whose body simply absorbs/stores insufficient amounts - if at all.

Among the alcoholics, alcohol itself has destroyed the digestive tract's ability to absorb B-12 and produce intrinsic factor, a gastric substance that aids in B-12 absorption.

So the the problem stems either from lack of intake or malabsorption of B-12. It APPEARS that you may have/have had pernicious anemia for one of several reasons.

Mention all of this to your personal physician and request a hematocrit type blood test. It will test for anemia.

Ascertain that your supplement does not contain ephedra, fo-ti or ma huang. Those three substances are stimulants. Many supplements contain them and therefore people taking them are misled into thinking that it's the vitamin/mineral that did the trick when in reality it's the stimulant that effected the "positive" change.

[ May 02, 2001: Message edited by: kokopuffs ]

[ May 02, 2001: Message edited by: kokopuffs ]

Pastachef · #32 05-02-2001, 05:11 PM

Thank you so much for the advice, KoKopuffs. I read the label and ingredients and it says all natural vitamin B12. None of the ingredients you mentioned are on the label. It took about five days for me to notice the difference in my energy level. Irecently had a CBC and wasn't anemic, but I have a problem in my feet where sometimes a nerve is pinched. That is extremely painful, but I'd read that B12 helps the body to heal quickly...that it replaces the nerve coating. I don't drink, even occasionally. I was married to an alcoholic and despise alcohol. I will talk to my doctor. Thank you again

Oh, and don't change of life women need more B12?

Pastachef · #33 05-02-2001, 05:22 PM

Wow, KoKopuffs. I may really be on to something here. I just went to a website and read about pernicious anemia. I can't believe how many of the symtoms I have! It's definitely time to talk it over with my doctor.

kokopuffs · #34 05-03-2001, 07:44 AM

Generally speaking, most vitamin B deficiencies result in skin and nerve problems.

A good although technical reference used worldwide is THE MERCK MANUAL. It can be found online from the Yahoo home page under reference books.

You may not have Pernicious Anemia but the B12 gave your body a boost. That sounds okay with me.