vitamin help
 

Hello I have been a vegetarian for 6 years now. About three yrs ago I was having dizzy spells and went to the dr and found out I had low B12. I started taking them and felt fine. But for the past 2-3 months I have felt bad fatigue. Im not tired just my body is exhasted. I was reading it could be low iron. But I eat dairy, lots of veggies, tofu, and soy foods. I also read that if your a vegetarian its a must that you take a vitamin supplement. Any thoughts?

i don't take a multi vitamin and my iron isn't low, my doctor even said it's not necessary. every body is different. i don't eat or drink dairy

I rarely take a multivitamin and I follow a vegan diet. I do it when I remember. Did you get your iron tested? My iron is always high. Are you eating lots of green veggies? Those are a good source of iron.

I'm vegan and I don't take a multi-vitamin, it's certainly not a "must". I was tested and I'm low on vitamin D so I take an Rx of D2 (D3 is animal dervied). I'd suggest having a full panel run or talking to a nutrionist experienced in veg diets. No reason to be tired all the time!

You mean Vegan diet? This generally happens to vegans not vegetarians who are ovo/lacto. oil soluable vitamins are stored in the liver and take quite a long time to deplete. It is concieveable that you ran out of B-12 or any other vitamin within 6 years. Low B-12 can kill you, it delaminates your nerves, and will lead to psychosis and brain damage, so you should listen to your doctor.

giselly - I've heard that B12 deficiencies can be caused by genetics. I've heard of many meat eaters who had B12 deficiencies.

B12 deficiencies can be caused by diet though, so vegans who eat well washed produce and don't take vitamins within 3 years of not eating an animal product can be deficient.

It's not so unusual to be B12 deficient. Many people are especially as they grow older the vitamin is not absorbed as well into the blood stream. I just found out I'm B12 deficient and will be starting on a supplement as soon as I get to a drug store. As for iron start taking a tablespoon of blackstrap molasses each day. You'll find it quite strong at first but your taste buds will adjust soon enough. Stir it into your cereal or a cup of hot milk (any kind) for a hot drink. And using a cast iron frying pan for stir fries, etc will allow some of the iron to leach from the pan into your foods.

I take a multivitamin most days (when I remember) or a serving of Vitamineral Green (again, when I remember).

I eat a lot of leafy greens, so my iron tends to be good (never any problems) and for Vitamin Bs my vitamin(s) take care of that :)

I'd recommend getting tested to find out EXACTLY what vitamins you are lacking as there are some that could be causing problems without you even realizing it :)