Does taking vitamin tablets work as well as getting them through food?

Question

I have a B12 deficiency, so I have started taking vegan B12 tablets. I believe I remember seeing somewhere however that taking vitamins does not have the same efficacy as getting them naturally through food. I am currently vegan, but considering adding fish to my diet to combat this deficiency if the tablets don't work. (Methylcobalamin 1000 mcg)

Answer 1

IIE mean NO at Japan. Food work much better. Vegans delude themselves, they not want face reality.

Answer 2

Not exactly. Your body doesn't absorb everything in a multi vitamin. You just have really expensive pee.

Answer 3

Not really.



Tablets have binding agents in them for one thing.. This is to make them hold that shape. They arent really all that digestable. Your body does not effeciently break down and absorb nutrients from such sources.

Your body was designed to get nutrients from FOOD. Eat FOOD that is high in b12.



Supplements were NEVER intended to replace food. Their purpose isnt so you can just omit certain foods or food groups either.

Answer 4

no pills are good

naturally food is best.

Answer 5

there is science on both sides if pills work as well as food. But you have a deficiency, this is a medical condition. Adjusting your diet to get more vitamin b should come before staying vegan. I am not vegan, not here to judge, but if you want to be vegan, and you have a vitamin deficiency, you really need to sit down with a medical doctor or a registered dietitian, someone with a medical background...asking here is just going to get a bunch of people telling you to put veganisim before your own health

Answer 6

You're right. Your body uses nutrients you get naturally (from food) than those manufactured in a lab more efficiently.



B12 is kind of tricky, though.



People who take manufactured B12 are prone to acne outbreaks.



Do you smoke? There's research showing an increase in lung cancer for men who take excessive B12. An even larger increase for men who smoke and take B12.

Answer 7

They dont work as well, however it's water soluble. Which means you can take quite a bit without being sick.



Just be aware, just as it takes a long time to become deficient it may take some time to get back to normal, fish or no fish.

Answer 8

Of course it does. It doesn't matter how they get into your body. By the time anything gets down to your stomach, it's all the same there!

Answer 9

Not remotely.



Vitamin tablets are often water soluble and you just piss it out.

Answer 10

Choose pills better than fish. Don't worry too much. Vegan comes first.

Answer 11

Nope. It doesn't absorb the way, but it's better than nothing.

Answer 12

the answer is "depends".

Since your main concern is B12, let's just talk about that.

The amount your body needs is literally microscopic. And for vegans, there are no food sources that contain it. But all B12 is initially made by bacteria. A cow gets B12 from the bacteria in its gut. A lion gets B12 from eating the cow. A vegan gets B12 by eating a vitamin. The Vitamin gets it from a vat of bacteria.



The form of B12 in the vitamin is different from the form made in a cow's gut. But it is still B12 and some research suggests that is just as if not more "absorbable" than other forms.



A lot of the people (nonvegans in particular) who are deficient in B12 aren't deficient because they don't eat enough (remember the quantity is super small). but because they can't absorb it that well or maybe even more important - can't utilize it that efficiently.



Elderly and sick people fall into that category.



This is why some B12 supplements have huge amounts - like 1000 to 10000 percent of the RDA. The idea is that if you take a lot of it, may be just a little will get absorbed and utilized. And all you need is a little.



If absorbing B12 is the issue there are a few things that can be done to help. One thing is that its thought that taking small doses regularly with food is better than to take large doses irregularly. So maybe the best thing is fortified foods. A couple of glasses of fortified plant milk plus a supplement could be the best bet.



But if you are healthy, there should be no issue with taking a mega dose once a week or less. B12 is very easily stored. Most people have enough about a 3 month supply in their liver.



If you somehow felt compelled to get it "naturally", a bowl of clam chowder once a month should do it. Or a 3 oz slice of cow's liver would last you 3 months.



But if the tablets don't work you should see a doctor. the fish won't work either.

Answer 13

NOpe



Never. The vitaimn are all artificial so your body will not use them.