i've heard #4 given as a reason before.  i've heard that strict
vegetarians
from india have problems with pernicious anemia (from lack of b12) in
the
west because of the greater sanitation of the food.

gandhi had to go on goat's milk because of anemia.

supplementing for b12 is imperative for vegans.  contrary to
alternative
opinion, tempeh and sea vegetables do not have b12, just bioinactive
analogues that pass for b12 in tests.

(supplemented) nutritional yeast is a good source for b12.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Francis Orlando" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, May 19, 2000 5:11 AM
Subject: Re: Licorice

> Very nice discourse and you make very valid points.
>
> I often get the opposite impression however, that some people disregard
> those that do thrive on longterm raw and/or mostly fruit diets (or they
> claim to do so), and therefore essentially claim that it can't be done,
> and/or the people are liars.  I have no way of verifying certain raw
> claimants diets, of course, and agree that there can be some in denial.
>
> I was tested and was shown to be deficient in b12.  I took a supplement
and
> was then tested as normal.  This is counter to the claim of those (unless
I
> have misunderstood the statements) that state that all bottled supplements
> are useless and/or dangerous.  Since I had no symptoms, and the test was a
> minor deficiency, there could be several possibilities,
> 1. I produce insufficient b12 2. I do not ingest sufficient b12  3. humans
> require animal products  4. the test is not valid  5. too-sanitary food
> supply. - perhaps there are other reasons.
>
> I do appreciate the existence of beyondveg and the thoughts that it has
> provoked.  I continue to monitor and study.  I was not convinced by the
> data at that site that the other problem nutrients are unavailable or
> insufficient with a raw vegan diet.
>
> I appreciate those that have shared their experiences and allowed me to
> learn from them.
>