In nature, the only sources of vitamin B12 are animal foods , especially meats, dairy products, and liver. The very low amount of vitamin B12 that some vegetables contain comes from the remains of bacteria that contaminate them naturally, either during storage or processing.
Vegetarians who do not take vitamin B12 supplements suffer from significant long-term deficits, which can affect their health. Specifically, 92% of vegans or strict vegetarians suffer from this deficiency , to which must be added 64% of lacto-vegetarians, 47% of ovo-lacto-vegetarians and 20% of semi-vegetarians. There is also the risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency in case of gastric or intestinal disease that makes it difficult to absorb the vitamin.
Vitamin B12 is essential for the normal functioning of all cells, especially that of the bone marrow and the nervous system . Vitamin B12 deficiency should not be taken as a joke, as it causes pernicious anemia and neurological disorders that can be irreversible.
