Specifically in regards to vitamin B12, is there truly no way to get everything you need from plants alone?
I have done a lot of research on B12 specifically as they say that’s the one nutrient you need that you can’t get without eating something like meat (or other animal products), fortified foods, or a supplement.
There are a few sites that will actually say that you can get b12 from plants. Some places say that the amounts are too small to get enough from them (or the daily minimum of 2.4mcg). Although I think a good half of that small number of sites are probably stretching it and coming up with nonsense, a couple of sites actually give some more solid information on it.
If I am allowed to, I will share the links with the information that was better explained:
https://www.themanual.com/fitness/vitamin-b12-benefits-and-food/ (where the B12 comes from and why it may not be in plants anymore.)
https://medium.com/four-pursuits-ventures/rich-plant-sources-of-b12-busting-the-myths-380a9ac53b28 (foods that probably actually have B12.)
https://pamrotella.com/health/b12.html (on B12 deficiency.)
https://www.naturalnews.com/029531_vitamin_B12_vegan.html (on B12 deficiency.)
I didn’t provide links (besides one) that gives any lists because between the first two one can come to a conclusion that root vegetables probably have B12, and perhaps mushrooms (but mushrooms will vary). One of the sites mentions that heating the plant/vegetable will kill the B12 molecule, so it’s best to eat something like a carrot, raw. One of the sites talks about how b12 is found in the ground and also gets a lot of it’s “power” (a key ingredient) from cobalt (thus the other name for B12 being “cobalamin”). But thanks to modern chemicals, we’ve destroyed the B12 from the ground.
Someone gives a defense saying that many cultures live on plants alone without any issues. So why would we have to supplement in any way for B12 if they do just fine? But there is a lot that can factor into this.
Anyways, the question still remains: is there literally no plant option to get vitamin B12? Like, you can say for sure with 100% positivity?
I just find it hard to believe that there happens to be this ONE vitamin we can’t get from plants. And it’s not that I’m saying people don’t get deficient in it and have real problems, but there must be some other explanation.
~
FYI: not a vegan, but I’ve been looking into it for a while because I don’t feel it right to eat meat anymore. Haven’t determined eggs, honey, or milk, although I can’t do dairy very well. But leaning towards the vegan path here. So I am here asking questions.
Surely someone else has asked this or looked into this b12 thing?
(p.s. I did ask this question on r/vegan but I am looking for a broader range of answers, I guess. So if you have already responded to my post in that subreddit, then there is no need to duplicate it here 😀)
by gabrielsthoughts369