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Obeid R., Geisel J., Schorr H., Hubner U. and Herrmann W. 2002. The impact of vegetarianism on some haematological parameters. European Journal of Haematology. 69 (5-6) 275-9. Numerous studies now demonstrate that any actual deficiencies of B12 in a vegetarian or vegan diet are usually due to poor meal planning (20). While vitamin B12 may be the nutrient most likely to be missing from a vegetarian or vegan diet, meat remains an optional rather than essential constituent of the diet as a well-balanced vegetarian or vegan diet can support normal growth and development (21). Indeed it has been demonstrated that vitamin B12 from fortified foods is better absorbed than B12 from meat, poultry and fish. In the US, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences recommends that adults over 50 years obtain B12 from vitamin supplements or fortified foods because of the high incidence of impaired absorption of B12 from animal foods in this age group (22). Free from added artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives, Free from GMOs (genetically modified organisms), Free from refined sugars, Free from trans fats and hydrogenated oils, Suitable for vegans, Suitable for vegetarians, Vitamin B12 deficiency may be diagnosed by measuring the levels of serum B12 or by measuring the levels of homocysteine which can accumulate to high levels in the absence of B12. However, high homocysteine levels can also be caused by folate or vitamin B6 deficiencies. Conventionally vitamin B12 deficiency is treated with a course of intramuscular injections. A B12-like compound called hydroxocobalamin is injected into the muscle every two to four days. Around six injections are given to build up stores of vitamin B12 in the liver. Blood tests are given periodically to monitor the success of the treatment (15).
Wighton M.C., Manson J.I., Speed I., Robertson E. and Chapman E. 1979. Brain damage in infancy and dietary vitamin B12 deficiency. The Medical Journal of Australia. 14, 2 (1) 1-3. The total number of people estimated to have B12 deficiency varies widely; this is largely due to how B12 deficiency is defined. The discrepancy in the figures reflects how B12 deficiency may go undiagnosed as symptoms are subtle and may not be noticed. A recent review reported that B12 deficiency is estimated to occur in anything between five and 60 per cent of the general population of industrialised countries (11). This suggests B12 deficiency is a problem for meat, poultry and fish eaters as much as anyone else. Indeed it may be worse for them as they do not actively seek out fortified foods and the B12 they consume is bound to animal protein. However, in 2004 a UK government survey suggested that only two per cent of men and four per cent of women had a serum vitamin B12 concentration below the limit of the normal range (1). Vitamin B12 deficiency does however occur frequently in the elderly (12), indeed it has been estimated that up to 40 per cent of elderly people suffer B12 malabsorption due to atrophic gastritis; inflammation of the stomach leading to a reduction in acid production (7). Mid brown with an elastic, drooping consistency. The flavour is very strong, but rounded. It does well on value as you need less. The real deal.The association of vitamin B12 with animal foods such as fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk and dairy products has helped create the myth that this vitamin can only be obtained from these foods and that a vegetarian or vegan diet provides a substandard amount. Consequently B12 has become a contentious issue. Concerns that vegetarians, and especially vegans, are at risk of B12 deficiency prevail even though the evidence suggests the meat-eating elderly are by far the group most likely to be deficient in B12. Furthermore, research suggests that the B12 present in meat, poultry and fish is not as easily absorbed as the B12 present in fortified vegetarian foods.
The ability to absorb B12 is important but it is not the only factor that determines B12 status. The bioavailability of the B12 in the diet is just as important as including B12 in the diet; it is pointless consuming lots of B12-rich food if it occurs in a form that the body cannot absorb. The bioavailability of B12 from different food sources has been shown to differ. It has been shown that B12 in fortified foods (such as breakfast cereals) is easier to absorb than the B12 in meat, poultry and fish sources; this seems to apply particularly to the elderly. Indeed, the National Academy of Sciences in the US advise that adults aged 50 and over obtain most of their B12 from supplements or fortified foods, this raises the question that maybe younger adults should consider using these sources as well (7). So, as the table shows, the EU recommended daily amount of B12 can be obtained for example from one slice of Meridian yeast extract on toast or one glass of B12–fortified soya milk. Herrmann W., Schorr H., Obeid R. and Geisel J. 2003. Vitamin B-12 status, particularly holotranscobalamin II and methylmalonic acid concentrations, and hyperhomocysteinemia in vegetarians. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 78 (1) 131-6. Herbert V. 1994. Staging vitamin B12 (cobalamin) status in vegetarians. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 59 (5) 1213S-1222S. FSA, 2004. Hoare J., Henderson L., Bates C.J., Prentice A., Birch M., Swan G. and Farron M. 2004. National Diet and Nutrition Survey: adults aged 19 to 64 years. London: TSO. Volume 5.
Davey G.K., Spencer E.A., Appleby P.N., Allen N.E., Knox K.H. and Key T.J. 2003. EPIC-Oxford: lifestyle characteristics and nutrient intakes in a cohort of 33 883 meat-eaters and 31 546 non meat-eaters in the UK. Public Health Nutrition. 6 (3): 259-69. B12 from meat is bound to animal protein and so is more difficult to absorb than in its natural unbound form produced by bacteria. Vuylsteke P., Bertrand C., Verhoef G.E. and Vandenberghe P. 2004. Case of megaloblastic anemia caused by intestinal taeniasis. Annals of Hematology. 83 (7) 487-8. Olivares J.L., Fernandez R., Fleta J., Ruiz M.Y. and Clavel A. 2002. Vitamin B12 and folic acid in children with intestinal parasitic infection. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 21 (2) 109-13. Our gluten free yeast extract is full of flavour and goodness with high levels of natural protein and vitamins, including vitamin B12.
B12 deficiency is rare; the most common cause is malabsorption which results from some condition of the stomach or of the small intestine. This type of deficiency usually requires treatment with B12 injections. This type of deficiency has nothing to do with the amount of B12 present in the diet – it arises from inadequate absorption due to a wide range of physiological or medical conditions. Furthermore, B12 absorption tends to decrease with age (7). For example, in the elderly a decline in the production of acid in the stomach may reduce B12 absorption, although this mainly affects B12 absorption from meat. The most common cause of B12 deficiency in the UK is the loss of intrinsic factor; this may result from a genetic predisposition and tends to be age-related (3).Sanders T.A. 1999. The nutritional adequacy of plant-based diets. The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 58 (2) 265-9. Morishita A., Tomita H., Takaishi Y., Nishihara M. and Kohmura E. 2005. A case of sub-acute combined degeneration of the spinal cord diagnosed by characteristic findings of magnetic resonance imaging: case report and review of 22 cases. No Shinkei Geka. 33 (5) 489-95. With Keith’s comments in mind, and in the interests of thoroughness, I included a few “doubles” in my tasting, specifically the Marmite, Asda and Tesco brands, choosing jars with different batch numbers. Marmite was indistinguishable from its twin, as was Asda’s, but I did detect a variation in the Tesco versions, one being slightly more savoury – and less runny – than the other. A well-planned and varied vegetarian or vegan diet including B12-fortified plant-based foods not only meets our requirements but provides a healthier and safer source of vitamin B12. B12 is made by microorganisms in the soil and water. It is consumed in the diet and taken to every cell in the body, plants do not contain B12.
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