Vitamin B12 for vegans: why it’s important
Plant-based nutrition is a popular option for those who want to take control of their personal health and wellness, but it isn’t without risk. A vegan diet is rich in vitamins and minerals, but plant-based diets are sorely lacking in vitamin B12. [1]
A vitamin B12 deficiency can result in anemia and even nerve damage, so it is crucial that everyone on a plant-based diet finds a vegan vitamin B12 supplement. Unfortunately, vitamin B12 is primarily found in animal products, so a vegan diet needs to contain foods that are fortified with vitamin B12.
It is possible to consume the recommended amounts of vitamin B12 on a plant based diet, but vegan vitamins and supplements are a necessity for many.
How does a vitamin qualify as vegan?
It might seem like all vitamins should be inherently vegan, but some traditional vitamins use animal products in their formula. Fortunately, plant-based supplements can deliver a bioidentical version of vitamin B12. This allows vegans to maintain their daily nutrition without being forced to incorporate animal products into their diet.
Many vitamins will neglect to mention the animal additives in their products, such as bones, wool, and other animal byproducts used in vitamin formulas. Therefore, looking at the ingredients list might not tell you everything you need to know. Making sure your supplement choice is explicitly vegan friendly may take more searching.
Is organic the same thing as vegan?
While a plant-based diet and an organic diet are not necessarily the same, finding vitamins produced in an organic-certified facility is an easy way to guarantee the quality of both the product and the manufacturing process. In order to be organic-certified, production companies are required to meet a certain standard of development.
Organic food production ensures that each product is developed through an environmentally friendly and ethical process. [2] Buying from a certified organic company allows you to ensure not only that your vegan supplements are high quality, but that they are made in a facility that aligns with your personal values.
[1]Why Every Vegan and Vegetarian Needs Vitamin B12, Forks Over Knives
[2]The GHT Companies Has Been Certified as an Organic Production Facility, Vegan Life Nutrition
