Vitamins

I forgot to add magnesium as well

You're not unhealthy if you don't take vitamins/supplements! And a lot of ppl think they are a waste of money, but I was quite sick about 1-2 years ago so I just want to be sure I am getting everything now. You could get a blood test done to see if you are deficient in anything before you start taking anything

I've been told completely contradicting information about Spirulina. Does anyone really know if this is a reliable source of vitamin b12?
Thanks!!!

i just got my bottle of spiruline and checked, but it didn't say anything about B12, so i went on their website, and it says spiruline has "Vitamin B12 - Natures richest source. Often lacking in a vegetarian diet."

Then i found the complete list of nutrients and their contents. Btw, this is for Synergy brand spirulina, it probs differs slightly brand to brand.

The full list can be accessed here:
http://www.synergynatural.com/research.html

It says that per 100g of spirulina, there is 230mcg in premium spiruline, and 274mcg in organic spirulina. mcg is micrograms, usually symbolised by the funny-looking u.


I went onto the Aus gov. National Health and Medical Research Council website, and found out the daily requirements.
Boys
9-13 yr 1.5 µg/day 1.8 µg/day
14-18 yr 2.0 µg/day 2.4 µg/day
Girls
9-13 yr 1.5 µg/day 1.8 µg/day
14-18 yr 2.0 µg/day 2.4 µg/day

also, you need more if you're pregnant.

SO, if you take the reccommended 6 tablets (15mg) of the premium spirulina, then you're getting 34.5micrograms of B12. Comparing this to the requirements as listed above, you're getting well over 10 times the minimums.

Apparently, overdose of B12 has been linked with some cancers and stomach conditions, but then again you have to consider that most people get B12 from meat, so it may not be the B12 overdose that's causing it, it's probably the real health problems from eating too much meat. Unless they start finding vegans getting cancer from B12 supplement overdose, I'm not convinced.

hey thanks heaps for the info!

I have been taking spirulina and still ended up with b12 deficiency so I wouldn't believe everything that is written on the label. That said, my body can be a little bit "special" sometimes so it might just be me.

I take centrum multi-vitamins. The chemist said they was veg. But now, looking at what everyone else is saying, begining to question the chemist. lol. I'm the most unhealthy veg ever

Hehe, we've all been there! Get a blood test done and go from there Iron is probably the only thing you need to worry about being vegetarian (B12 is from dairy/eggs). If your iron levels are normal, then you'll probably need to take an iron tablet regularly. Check out www.crueltyfreeshop.com.au as everything is vegan.