Whoa, this is a complicated one... - Diet & Nutrition Message Board

The_Cheese_Man · 02-12-2004, 07:12 PM

Hello

I don't eat meat or eggs and hav'nt in quite a few years. I have my own philosophical (and other reasons) for this which I'd prefer not to discuss here. I recently did a search under "metallic taste in mouth" because I've been plagued with this for several months now. No matter what I pulled up in my search, it was ALWAYS about vitamine B-12, "vegans" or some animal rights article.

I learned that the body usually stores enough vitamine B-12 to last about 2 years. It also looks like my "store" of it just recently ran out which might help explain not only the metallic taste in my mouth for the past 2-3 months but my nervous condition, minor memory problems, mouth sores and gastrointestinal problems of late (all symptoms of a vitamine B-12 deficiency).

While I don't plan to go on a bloody cattle massacre or slurp down a fresh ox liver any time soon, I DID beat a very rapid retreat to the kitchen where I proceeded to take a multi-vitamine and then fry up several eggs with buttered toast. Eggs are supposed to be as good source of vitamine B-12.

I was just curious...are there any other vegans here who have experienced some or all of these symptoms and how did you deal with it?. I happen to know that a person's beliefs can end up destroying them, for example...

A) A person who trusts his or her religion to heal their child, who ends up dying because the parents refuse to take them to see a doctor.

B) A person who's beliefs dictate that they not eat certain foods becoming sick or even dying due to a vitamine or mineral deficiency (me?).

c) An anorexic who literally starves themselves to death.

D) An OCD sufferer (I am one myself) who cuts themselves, etc.

Anyway, I don't want to die because of my beliefs so I'm looking for advice here and appreciate any I can get.

scribbles · 02-12-2004, 10:36 PM

I've been a vegan for 6 years so far, and I've never experienced any metallic taste in my mouth. However, I do have memory problems (so maybe I don't remember the metallic taste haha... I'm kidding, I would probably remember), low energy levels, and other indicators of being iron deficient and not consistently getting enough macronutrients.

How do you normally get your required amounts of B12? I have an eating disorder and have my own food issues (making me not the best person to address your post), but I have a bottle of multi-vitamins (14 mcg of B12) and every once in a while, I get some B12 from fortified soy milk. For a vegan diet, you can also find small amounts in fortified cereals, tempeh, miso, and of course, B12 supplements or injections.

If you feel like you should be getting enough B12 from your current diet, you could have a condition which may prevent you from absorbing the vitamin (eg. you're missing the intrinsic factor protein that helps in B12 absorption, or high doses of vitamin C are destroying the B12).

I've read that long-term B12 deficiency may also be linked to depression and mood disorders, which makes sense since the vitamin helps with normal nervous system function. If you're concerned about your health and longevity, I would suggest getting a blood test done to see if you're lacking a particular nutrient.

auntjudyg · 02-13-2004, 07:14 AM

Do you, by chance, eat cheese?

How about fish? Is that completely out, too?

blueeyedangel08 · 02-13-2004, 10:09 AM

The problem with not eating meat is that meat does have some nutrients like B12 and carnosine. You need B12 because it is necessary for proper nervous system and brain function. Well...B12 that functions and is bioavailable within the human body is only created by bacteria. Now...sometimes, after a few years of practicing a vegan diet, vegans tend to feel unwell because what B12 does is it also helps people feel good. Humans can not absorb B12 through their GI tracts, and must eat it, and bioavilable forms are not found in plants...only in bacteria or meat. But, if you ate meat previously throughout your life, you probably have alot of B12 stored up, and it can take quite awhile for a deficiency to arise. You should consider B12 in a supplement, or in food. I myself don't eat cheese/animal products etc, but have recently started including sardines every so often into my diet. Now..not ALL vegans develop a B12 deficiency, simply because they have enough B12 stored and their body does not use it as frequently, or because they grow their plants in what is known as "night soil", or human feces (which also brings up the point of how not washing your hands after going to the bathroom can provide you with B12...but this of course is not something I recommend lol). If your experiencing symptoms of a B12 deficiency, I would suggest going to get a blood test done to check your levels. Besides, if you are practicing a vegan diet, this would definitely be beneficial to make sure your getting everything you need

. Take care!

~*~ Blue eyed angel ~*~

blueeyedangel08 · 02-13-2004, 10:10 AM

Auntjudyg,
Yes...fish, cheese, meat, etc (any type of animal products) are not on the menu for vegans.