B12 shot?

Hi,  I just started eating vegetarian in early January. (No, It wasnt a new year's thing). I had a question. I still eat some dairy, and maybe once a week eat an egg. Do I still need a B12 supplement or shot? 

When you log the food items, check the nutrition labels. How much B12 are you getting on a daily basis? If it isn't close to 100% at least most of the time, then maybe yes.

*Cringe*  More reading ;-)   (Stupid smilely blocking firewall)Thanks

Original Post by tinabear651:

Hi,  I just started eating vegetarian in early January. (No, It wasnt a new year's thing). I had a question. I still eat some dairy, and maybe once a week eat an egg. Do I still need a B12 supplement or shot? 

You shouldn't need any shot.  If you want to supplement, you can either get a multi-vitamin that has B-12 in it, or you can get sub-lingual B-12 that comes in a nice cherry flavor. Alternatively, many vegan products such as soymilk have Vitamin B-12 added.

Age actually has a lot to do with this.  For example, for people over 50, the US Gov't recommends that they meet the minimum recommendation for B-12 either by supplementation, or through foods that have synthetic B-12 added.  This is because there is a sizable proportion of people in this age group who do not absorb the B-12 that occurs naturally in animal foods (such as dairy and meat) very well.  In many cases, a an older vegan who supplements their diet with B-12 will actually have a better B-12 status than an older omnivore who doesn't supplement, and relies on what naturally occurs in their food.

 

Yah, what cbullock said!  I have been a vegetarian for only 18 months and just had all my blood work done.  Everything came back normal.  I do take a Vitamin B "50" supplement everyday as suggested by my nutritionist.  From all the reading I've done and asking my doctor, very few people are deficient in B12.

You can try drinking XS energy drink--zero sugar, 8 calories and 4900% B12 (B12 is water-soluable so you can't OD).  Three of them is equivalent to a B12 shot.

Mi body doesn't absorb B12, and my doctor said I did not need to get the shot if I took a pill everyday. 1 cup of fortified soy milk has 50% of your daily B12 intake, comebine those two and you'll be fine.

I hope you know about getting omega-3s from ground flax!  I put it in my vegan smoothies.  :)

Thanks everyone. I wound up buying a supplement. I appreciate the insight and the help.

i would just take a multi vitamin or b vitamin.... of course you don't want to go the other way and get too much of a vitamin, but if your eating a healthy varied veg. diet it shouldn't be a problem.  i took a multi back in the day when i ate meat and take one now too just so i have my bases covered.

Found this link regarding B12.  I was worried about this as well after becoming vegetarian, however this seems to clear things up quite a bit.

http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2007nl/nov/b1 2.htm

Looks like taking a 500 mcg supplement once a week is sufficient, according to this link.  There are some food options as well if you don't like taking pills.

no,  what you need to do is cut out the dairy.

that crap about protein and all that pertaining to vegetarian diets is myth.

anyone who believes it will believe anything i guess.

If you guys are interested in getting XS for a subsitute for B12 shots or drinking in general, you can visit hlin5.qhealthbeauty.com  and go to Diet and Fitness section and you'll find all 12 flavors of XS (3 caffiene free). XS is a healthy drink with only 8 calories, 0 sugar, 0 carb and a whole lot of energy  so enjoy.