| It's something we read or hear about all the time: | | | | symptoms of B-12 deficiency include dementia, |
| people, in general, do not eat healthy. The average | | | | fatigue, hallucinations, balance problems, and vision |
| diet contains too much saturated fat and simple | | | | disturbances. |
| carbohydrates, elements that can lead to heart | | | | People who have followed a vegetarian diet most of |
| disease, obesity and other serious conditions. While | | | | their life are more at risk of B-12 deficiency. Since |
| not all people who follow a vegetarian diet do so for | | | | B-12 can be reabsorbed, people who become a |
| health reasons, such a diet is beneficial to the health. | | | | vegetarian later in life will typically do not display any |
| There are three main types of vegetarians. Lacto | | | | symptoms of deficiency for as many as five years. |
| vegetarians do not consume any meat, but instead | | | | It is a good idea to prevent deficiency from occurring |
| live on fruits, vegetables and dairy. The lacto-ovo | | | | because it is relatively difficult to reverse the effects |
| vegetarian diet is similar to the lacto vegetarian, with | | | | of vitamin B-12 deficiency. |
| the exception that individuals who follow this diet | | | | Vitamin B-12 deficiency can also result in increased |
| consume eggs. As the name implies, fruitarians follow | | | | levels of homocysteine in the body. Homocysteine is |
| a diet restricted to fruits, but they may also eat nuts | | | | an antioxidant that when in high levels can have a |
| and seeds. Considered the most strict vegetarian | | | | toxic effect on the body. This is an important issue |
| diet, vegans do not eat meat, eggs, or dairy. | | | | because as many as 20% of the people diagnosed |
| The only negative aspect of the vegetarian lifestyle | | | | with heart disease have elevated levels of |
| is the high probability of vitamin deficiency. Depending | | | | homocysteine in their blood. |
| on the type of vegetarian diet followed, an individual | | | | The recommended dosage of vitamin B-12 is 10 |
| may not obtain the proper nutrients their body needs | | | | micrograms. If you follow a vegetarian lifestyle, it is |
| to function properly. One vitamin that is absent in | | | | recommended that you have your blood checked to |
| most vegetarian diets is B-12. Vitamin B-12, which | | | | check for deficiency. If your doctor detects that you |
| exists in meat, dairy, eggs, and poultry and is | | | | have a B-12 deficiency, they will provide additional |
| essential in the development of red blood cells and a | | | | information about the amount of B-12 you should |
| healthy central nervous system. The common | | | | take. |