A good vegan multi-vitamin???
Posted by karatekid1975 on Sep 30, 2007 · Member since Feb 2007 · 456 posts
Hi all. I have low B 12 issues. Saw a nurse last night who just happens to be my best friend, and she conformed it. I read the B 12 thread, and it got me thinking. Even as an omni, I was never big on drinking milk or eating breakfast to get B 12. My friend told me to (fortified soy milk, that is, and prepared cereals), but I just can't eat in the morning. It makes me feel yucky.
So I was wondering if there is a good vegan multi-vitamin that is easily absorbed by the tummy (without making me feel sick). Or even better, one that's made just for vegans. One that I can take one a day. I hate those ones that you have to take 3 or 4 more than once a day ... gggrrr.
Suggestions anyone?
do you like nutritional yeast?
I take the Deva kind. They smell really bad and make me kinda burpy... but I take them once daily and they contain 100mcg B12 which is (what is says on the bottle) 1666% your daily value.
I got them off Ebay for $9 I think...
Rainbow Light Just Once Women's One Multivitamin is what I use...it's vegan, they're kind of big but they taste just fine.
do you like nutritional yeast?
I do! But I don't use much of it, except for this yummy cheeze sauce I found on the web. And I use some in my chili when I make it. I heard it has a lot of B 12 in it. Is this true?
Veggeroni, where can I find those multi-vitamins? In a regular grocery store, or health food store?
I started a thread asking what everyone's favorite multi-vitamin was back in August! :) Here is the link, if you want to read more opinions:
http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=18060.0
I ended up buying the Deva ones from Vegan Essentials (that superveg_n suggested), and I love them! http://store.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=vegane&BusType=BtoC&Count1=299816310&Count2=216956734&Keyword=DEVA&Target=products%2Easp&Submit1.x=0&Submit1.y=0
They also have great reviews from other consumers on Vegan Essentials. Personally, I have only had a few "vitamin burps" (but much less than other vitamins I've tried in the past), and I also don't think they smell bad! They don't smell good, per se, but I haven't noticed anything particularly bad. And one pill per day (not 4 or 5 throughout the day) with all those great vitamins & minerals?? You can't beat that! :D And again, tons of B12 in this particular vitamin--among lots of other great stuff! I sound like I work for the company, but I really just love these!
I am really against taking vitamins, but I bought the DEVA ones from Vegan Essentials. I am cooking/buying my own groceries in college and unfortunately do not eat the variety of foods that I typically consume at home. I have not had any weird side effects from the vitamins. They are relatively inexpensive compared to other ones on the market. My only complaint is that they are pretty big to swallow, so I might start cutting them in half and taking them in two shots. I really like how you only have to take one a day...there is no way that I would take something four or six times per day...that's crazy!
Ok, three votes for Deva. One a day works for me :)
I will also check out that thread (Somehow I missed that one) when I get home from work, Jessacita. Gotta start getting ready for work, but thanks everyone for your help so far.
do you like nutritional yeast?
Veggeroni, where can I find those multi-vitamins? In a regular grocery store, or health food store?
I've bought them at both my local HFS and also at Vitamin Shoppe. I've never seen them at mainstream groceries/drug stores however (ie. CVS, Stop & Shop, etc.) but I know you can find them online...
I use wholefoods brand multi.
Also, check out some drinks cereals & bars, a lot of them have B12. Some of the odawalla drinks do & they are relaly yummy.
Veggeroni, where can I find those multi-vitamins? In a regular grocery store, or health food store?
I've bought them at both my local HFS and also at Vitamin Shoppe. I've never seen them at mainstream groceries/drug stores however (ie. CVS, Stop & Shop, etc.) but I know you can find them online...
Thank you so much, Veggeroni, for the recommendation.
I found them at CVS pharmacy and bought them. $10.99 for 50 Tablets. They were on a lower shelf then the non-vegan brands and I almost missed them.
They are packed with vitamins, especially B-vitamins, and minerals! 25 mcg, or 417% of the Daily Value, of B-12.
Veggeroni, where can I find those multi-vitamins? In a regular grocery store, or health food store?
I've bought them at both my local HFS and also at Vitamin Shoppe. I've never seen them at mainstream groceries/drug stores however (ie. CVS, Stop & Shop, etc.) but I know you can find them online...
Thank you so much, Veggeroni, for the recommendation.
I found them at CVS pharmacy and bought them. $10.99 for 50 Tablets. They were on a lower shelf then the non-vegan brands and I almost missed them.
They are packed with vitamins, especially B-vitamins, and minerals! 25 mcg, or 417% of the Daily Value, of B-12.
B12 is not readily absorbed from a tablet. You need to take sublinguals, eat fortified foods or get shots. I do not absorb B12 from food or sublinguals. I had my B12 shot today. I am supposed to get them every month but am bad about doing so. I was about 6 weeks over due. Feel great since getting it.
The best way to check your B12 levels is to have a blood test. I was dangerously low when I got tested a few years ago. Every year at your physical, ask your doctor to add the B12 test. Low levels of B12 are dangerous.
It is not something to guess about or take lightly. I was in the danger zone.
Your B12 levels may be great. Mine were not. Everyone I talked to at health food stores said you are wasting your money taking it in tablet form. Sublinguals are cheap. If you have a deficiency after having blood work, think of a sublingual or having the shots.
B12 is not readily absorbed from a tablet. You need to take sublinguals, eat fortified foods or get shots. I do not absorb B12 from food or sublinguals. I had my B12 shot today. I am supposed to get them every month but am bad about doing so. I was about 6 weeks over due. Feel great since getting it.
The best way to check your B12 levels is to have a blood test. I was dangerously low when I got tested a few years ago. Every year at your physical, ask your doctor to add the B12 test. Low levels of B12 are dangerous.
Diver-di,
I never even thought to ask my doctor for my B-12 level in a blood test. While I still get B-12 from other sources(fortifies in my soymilk), I don't monitor it as closely as I should.
After reading your post, I found this helpful website on B-12. http://www.b12sublingual.com/
It included the following helpful info on the effects of B-12 deficiency.
" FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN B-12
Vitamin B-12 is considered altogether an important vitamin because it helps the body to stay healthy in numerous ways.
Formation of Red Blood Cells
B-12 is primarily responsible for the formation of red blood cells in the human body. It is in fact necessary during cell division. If a person lacks B-12, DNA production is disrupted and this can lead to the production of abnormal cells or megaloblasts. Consequently, this may lead to anaemia.
Maintenance of a Healthy Nervous System
People who do not have enough vitamin B-12 in their bodies are shown to be more easily tired than usual. They tend to be breathless and lacking energy or interest to do any of the usual things they were once fun of. Their skin usually appear pallid and their immune system is relatively weaker compared to others.
If B-12 deficiency remains unchecked, it can lead to nerve degeneration and irreversible neurological damage."
I use wholefoods brand multi.
Also, check out some drinks cereals & bars, a lot of them have B12. Some of the odawalla drinks do & they are relaly yummy.
Are the Whole Foods 365 brand multi vegan?
I seem to think that they are, especially since they don't look much different than the Rainbow Light brand and don't have gelatin. I recently compared them when I was at Whole Foods.