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In recent years, more and more people have decided to give up meat in their diet for ethical, ecological or health reasons.One of the most common arguments for this choice is the belief that a vegetarian or vegan diet may be healthier.But is not eating meat really good for your health, or can it lead to a deficiency of important nutrients such as vitamin B12?This is an issue worth investigating carefully.
The history of the discovery of cobalamin
The history of vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, dates back to the first half of the 20th century.It was then that scientists realized how important this vitamin is for the proper functioning of the body.The first discovery related to cobalamin dates back to 1926, when George Whipple and William Murphy received the Nobel Prize for their research on the treatment of perniciacea anemia.At that time, however, it was not yet known what exactly vitamin B12 contained.
In 1948, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin discovered the structure of cobalamin, which allowed the production of a synthetic form of this vitamin.Thanks to this, the possibilities of treating B12 deficiency and other diseases related to it have significantly expanded.
A vitamin that is not found in vegetables
Vitamin B12 is essential for the human body.It plays a key role in the production of red blood cells and in maintaining the proper functioning of the nervous system.It is also necessary for the metabolism of nucleic acids, which is important for genetic processes.
The most important thing to understand is that vitamin B12 is not found in plant foods.It is present in animal products such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy products.Therefore, people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet are at risk of deficiency of this vitamin.
Complicated absorption
Vitamin B12 is difficult to absorb by the body.To be absorbed, it must go through a complicated digestive process that takes place in the stomach.As a result of this process, B12 combines with a protein called “Castle factor”, which allows it to be absorbed in the colon.
People who give up animal products often have problems with the absorption of vitamin B12.This is because a plant-based diet does not provide enough of this vitamin “Castle factor”.Therefore, you may need to supplement with vitamin B12 or eat fortified foods, such as some plant-based milks or breakfast cereals.
Treatment of cobalamin deficiency – it is best to bypass the stomach
Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to serious health problems such as anemia, neurological disorders and cardiovascular problems.Therefore, it is important to identify the deficiency and treat it appropriately.
Traditionally, vitamin B12 supplementation consisted of tablets or injections that were taken by mouth and passed through the stomach.However, for some people with B12 absorption problems, this method may not be effective.Therefore, oral supplementation in the form of drops or sprays, which bypass the stomach and are absorbed directly through the oral mucosa, is increasingly used.
Cyanide antidote
One interesting aspect about vitamin B12 is its ability to neutralize cyanides, toxic substances found in some plants.Therefore, cobalamin is extremely important in the diet of vegetarians and vegans because it helps eliminate potentially harmful chemicals that could accumulate in the body as a result of consuming large amounts of certain plants.
Your suggestions
If you are someone who practices a vegetarian or vegan diet, it is a good idea to regularly monitor your blood levels of vitamin B12 and consult your doctor if you suspect a deficiency.Supplementation may be necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the body.
It is also worth paying attention to products enriched with vitamin B12 that are available on the market.Many plant-based milks, breakfast cereals and supplements have been enriched with this vitamin, which may be helpful for people following a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Recommended articles
If you are interested in the topic of a vegetarian or vegan diet, we also recommend reading other articles from our series on this topic.You will learn more about a healthy and balanced meat-free lifestyle and about other nutrients that are worth monitoring to stay fit and healthy.
In summary, not eating meat can be a healthy choice, but it requires awareness and appropriate supplementation to avoid deficiencies in important nutrients such as vitamin B12.It is also worth remembering that each body is different, so regular tests and consultations with a doctor are crucial to maintaining a healthy vegetarian or vegan diet.