Aside from “where do you get your protein”, the question vegans are asked frequently is “what about B12”? It’s so funny how we humans hear something and zero in on it with such intensity. When discussing health, people want to parse out nutrients and vitamins and forget about the “whole food” picture. Think about how much you hear about Omega 3s, or vitamin D, or protein, or calcium… you get the idea. Good health doesn’t hinge on a handful of things that have become “attention getters” in the advertising on the sides of food-like products. The whole food is important.

It’s also rather silly for “experts” to focus so much on vegans when it comes to B12 deficiencies. Meat-eaters can have B12 deficiency too. Of course, it could be diagnosed less often in meat-eaters because it’s being masked by other dietary deficiencies… just a thought. In case you’re one of many (I was one) who believes B12 only comes from animal products, you might like to know that this isn’t true. Modern farming methods do greatly reduce the occurrence of the vitamin, but that doesn’t automatically mean vegans (especially whole food, plant based vegans) will be deficient.

Our family has taken B12 about once a week for the last six months or so, just to error on the side of caution. After watching Kristina’s video, I’m thinking maybe we should get tested before we continue taking it. We haven’t had any deficiency symptoms, but I had heard that it wouldn’t hurt you to take it. Here’s a blog post written about B12 that goes into a bit more detail about the vitamin and deficiency. I guess I’m a little tired of hearing about protein and B12. It’s kind of like the ridiculous “socialization” comments and questions we get as homeschoolers (funny video). So, I’m hopeful that this post will help one vegan out there avoid being asked about B12.

Are you looking to make some changes in 2013? Check out The Journey for more information.

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What I read: Exodus 39-40

What I ate:

• Breakfast – 7 oranges juiced
• Pre-Run – 2 bananas & OJ, Post-Run – 6 oranges juiced
• Lunch – wasn’t hungry
  
• Dinner – 4 red bananas, 2 pears
  
• PM Snack – a few pieces of dried persimmon, apple juice
  

What I did: 3.5 miles run/walk (mostly running) – also did some pushups

Here are the notes I made regarding my symptoms throughout Day 43:

• slowed digestion (gas, abdominal pain, bloating)
  
• headaches
  
• puffy hands, feet, and face
  
• sinus congestion
  
• dry/itchy eyes, skin, and scalp
  
• acne
  
• aching muscles and muscle spasms
  
• foggy brain
• irritability
  
• mood swings
  
• blood sugar fluctuations
  
• fatigue – still having bouts of fatigue, but not as bad
  
• unable to sleep well
  
• unquenchable thirst
  
• cravings
  
• chest pain
• cold sores – last one 1/13/2013
  
• kidney stones – eliminated when we went vegan Oct 2011
• tooth pain