Vitamin B-12 loss ?

[Gustav]

Hello,
Anyone out there read the report/study that came out of the Netherlands on the so called problems related to children on a macrobiotic diet and vitamin B-12 deficiancy ? I think the study has been mis-interpreted by western medicine but maybe not. How can I make sure I am getting enough B-12 in my diet ? Anyone recommend B-12 shots ?

Thanks,

Gustav...

[Roy Collins]

Hi Gustav. No I did not read the Netherland study on B12
and macrobiotic children. Please provide link to the article
or cite where it was written with date/page:s.

B12 is more of a concern for vegetarians than for macrobiotics
as B12 is provided by fish when consumed. But various types of seaweeds and wheat and barley grass, and rice bran also provide
B12. People deficient in B12 usually lack one or more gastric secetions necesssary for its absorption, hence more fermented products, especially soy (like miso, natto,amasake, tempeh, etc) are beneficial for its synthesis.

B12 is necessary for normal metabolism of nerve tissue and is involved in protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Absorption of B12 decreases with age but absorption increases
during pregnancy.

Human requirements for B12 is very minute. The RDA is 3 micrograms for adults and infants and growing children need only
1-2 micrograms. The use of laxatives and I belive black tea and coffee and tobacco products deplete B12 .

Symptoms of B12 deficency begins with changes in the nervous system such as soreness and weakness in legs and arms. Diminished reflexes and sensory perception begins. Difficulty walking and speaking may also be experienced, as well as jerking of the limbs. Mood disorders, mental slowness, nervousness, headaches and forgetfullness are other signs.

B12 injections are usually reserved for patients that are suffering with pernicious anemia and cannot absorb B12 because of damaged intestinal function. Acidopholis and/or Aspergillis can improve absorption by helping to regrow microflora in intestines.
Poor eating habits and overconsumtion of meat and fats, as well as overuse of antibiotics are reasons for depletion of microflora in the digestive tract. Injections are only necesary when the condition is extreme -- as much as 400 micrograms can be injected daily when this occurs.

Recomendations to increase B12 for macrobiotics:

1. Eat more brown rice but DO NOT wash it before cooking. All
B vitamins are water soluable and leach out during washing process. B12 is in the outside layer of the grain.

2. Eat small amounts of miso with seaweed on a daily basis in the am if under age 40 but as you increase in age begin to use less miso (every other day). After age 60 you need only a small amount of miso on occassion.

3. Use more fermented soy products to help increase digestive enzymes in digestive tract to help absorbtion of B12.

4. Blue-green alage products and barley or wheat grass (dried
of fresh) can be added to drinks such as ame sake, carrot juice,
etc. A commercial product called KYO Green (TM) combines b/G algae, brown rice, and barley grass. It is in dry form and you need less than half a teasoon to get full benefits.

5. Avoid Black tea, coffee, tobacco products, laxatives (all forms)
and antibiotics.

6. If you are lacro-ovo vegetarian you probably don't have to worry but good quality unsweetened yogurt will be helpful.

7. A little more cold water fish can be added to standard macrobiotic diet but do not go overboard with excessive use.
Small fish are better, like sardines or chirimen iriko. Eat head and bones whenever possible. Red meat and organ meat is not necessary to consume for B12 but instead is counterproductive to increasing microflora in intestine.

8. It is important to eat slowly and chew food well before swallowing. Enzymes in saliva help the digetive process and it is easier to subtract nutrients from more broken down foods as opposed to large chunks.

9. Make sure you are relaxed while eating and are sitting properly.

10. Do proper bending and breathing exercises daily to increase muscle function in intestine. Walking and bike reiding are also beneficial.

I hope this helps.

In peace, Roy

[Gustav]

Thanks Roy for the info. it is much appreciated, the Netherland study links are as follows, let me know what you think :
http://www.internethealthlibrary.com...2-research.htm
http://www.everybody.co.nz/research/nut macro.htm http://www.mumsweb.com/nutrition/Mac...20toddlers.htm
I think I typed all of these in correctly ?

[Roy Collins]

Hi Gustav. Thanks for providing the link to said articles on Vit B12 deficiency in macrobiotic children. First off I will say that I agree with the research which states that macrobiotic children should not eat "strict" macrobiotic diet. The strict versrion should be reserved only for severe illness.

It is interesting that the authors of the article make the grave error of saying that B12 is only in meat and dairy. This is not true (see revised Nutrition Almanac and also Bowes & Church's Food Values of Portions Commonly Used -- any edition). You will see that many foods contain B12 in small amounts and that most seafood contains just as much or more B12 pound for pound than red meat. Oysters and steamed crab have the highest levels of B12 of all foods!

Also an error is made when then the authors say that macrobiotic is NOT an omnivorious diet. True macrobiotics can eat anything they want and know how to make balance in any given situation!

Note the authors cited that there was a lack of B12 in the serum of the children but it not not say that the children showed any signs of neurological or other problems associated with B12. Only a tiny amount of B12 is required for normal body/brain functioning in all people.

That macrobiotic children given B12 supplementation showed inability to raise B12 levels is interesting and in itself shows that
B12 is not making B12 and that B12 may really not be a reliable indicator of what this vitamin is supposed to do. I have been macrobiotic for nearly 35 years now and have 4 children that
range in ages 9 to 26. None of us have B12 deficient symptoms.

In short, the report does not provide us with any reliable information but does sound a wake up call for macrobiotic parents who are passing on strict macrobiotic habits to their children, which may in the long run may not be a healthy practice.

Ohsawa never said macrobiotics could not eat animal food -- but depending on the climate amy do so in moderation. Same with Hufeland who founded macrobiotics -- he never said no meat, but rather to use it in moderation. I think in the Netherlands more animal food can be tolerated. Dairy products are really not needed by humans but can be take on occassion as a pleasure food, again in moderation. I feel more and more macrobiotics are becomming less rigid in their diets. In Sweden they are eating a little egg, more fish and some cheese. I think this is OK for the northern climate but care must be taken to cut down on these products when weather warms up. Conversely, in the more temperate and tropical climates animal food should be kept to a minimum.

In peace, Roy

[Gustav]

Roy,
Thank you for the clarification of this study. I think we are missing some of the facts based on the limited information given and I would love to see a copy of the full study as I belive it was misrepresented in 3 different articles. You hit the nail on the head several times based on the study articles. I am glad to hear that you and your family have not suffered B-12 loss or problems. Thanks again,

All my best,

Gustav...