This is why vitamin B12 deficiency is extremely common in strict vegetarians and vegans, but many are unaware there's a problem until it's too late. Even though vitamin B12 is water-soluble, it doesn't exit your body quickly in your urine like other water-soluble vitamins. Instead, B12 is stored in your liver, kidneys and other body tissues, and as a result, a deficiency may not show itself for a number of years.

This is a serious concern, because after about seven years of B12 deficiency, irreversible brain damage and other problems can result. (The exception is infants and children, in which extensive B12 reserves have not yet been established, so deficiency signs and symptoms tend to become apparent more rapidly.)

You really want to use Mercola as your gold standard? You might want to rethink that.

We appreciate your experience as a physician, and yet I say that milk and eggs should be included in your diet. These things cannot at present be dispensed with, and the doctrine of dispensing with them should not be taught. {TSDF 49.1}

You are in danger of taking too radical a view of health reform, and of prescribing for yourself a diet that will not sustain you. {TSDF 49.2}

I do hope that you will heed the words I have spoken to you. It has been presented to me that you will not be able to exert the most successful influence in health reform unless in some things you become more liberal to yourself and to others. The time will come when milk can not be used as freely as it is now used; but the present time is not the time to discard it. And eggs contain properties which are remedial agencies in counteracting poisons. And while warnings have been given against the use of these articles of diet in families where the children were addicted to, yes, steeped, in habits of self abuse; yet we should not consider it a denial of principle to use eggs of hens which are well cared for and suitably fed. {TSDF 49.3}

God calls upon those for whom Christ died to take proper care of themselves, and set a right example to others. My brother, you are not to make a test for the people of God upon the question of diet; for they will lose confidence in teachings that are strained to the farthest point of extension. The Lord desires His people to be sound on every point in health reform, but we must not go to extremes. {TSDF 49.4}

Vitamin B12 and folate

Vitamin B12 and folate work together to help the body produce red blood cells. They also have several other important functions:

vitamin B12 helps to keep the nervous system (brain, nerves and spinal cord) healthy

folate is important for pregnant women because it reduces the risk of birth defects in unborn babies

Vitamin B12 is found in:

• meat
• eggs
• dairy products

The best source of folate is green vegetables such as:

• broccoli
• Brussel sprouts
• peas

Treating vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia

Most cases of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency are easily treated.

Supplements of vitamin B12 are usually given by injection at first, followed by tablets until the deficiency is under control. In cases where there are problems absorbing vitamin B12, such as in pernicious anaemia, you will need supplements for the rest of your life.

Folic acid tablets are used to restore folate levels, which usually need to be taken for four months.

Quote: use eggs of hens which are well cared for and suitably fed.

Where do you get your eggs? Do you grow them yourself? Or do you buy them in the market where most are grown in poor conditions? Do you follow this advise yourself?

Taking large amounts of folic acid might hide a vitamin B12 deficiency. Folic acid can correct the anemia but not the nerve damage caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. This can lead to permanent damage of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. High doses of folic acid might also increase the risk of colorectal cancer and possibly other cancers in some people.

Skip the ad hominem and address the issues, please. Those with the truth on their side need not resort to such tactics as this. Have you any factual reason to disagree?

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

I do. Most of the hens around here are quite free range. There are no fences, and there are plenty of dogs. The dogs rarely bother them.

Last year I raised over five dozen hens.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.