[Daphne]

Thank you again, but here's a quote from the link you posted:

Regarding Dr. Byrnes' second myth, I agree that vegans have a difficult time getting any vitamin B12, and it is possible that if a known essential nutrient is missing from the diet, others that are unknown may also be deficient.

However, based on the current science, B12 is the only known missing nutrient, and it can easily be found in eggs, dairy, and fish, and only small amounts are needed. If someone wants to be a vegan, based on the evidence to date, it is wise for them to take supplements of B12 for safety, and they can find all the other known required nutrients in their diets.

One study shows that vegans can get B12 from a seaweed, but it is hard to assume that this is completely reliable source (Suzuki H, Serum vitamin B12 levels in young vegans who eat brown rice. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1995 Dec;41(6):587-94). In that study, vegan children showed no signs of B12 deficiency (although it can take years to develop) and there was no difference in their serum B12 compared to omnivore children. I would not personally rely on this source of B12.

The conclusion is that while vegan diets are more difficult to practice healthfully, the diet I recommend, which is mostly vegetarian, whole, natural foods (mainly vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, seeds, and nuts), with small amounts of organic eggs, dairy and wild fish, are maintainable, healthy, and well documented in medical literature.

Michael Janson, MD

I do indeed take supplements, and like I said I'm pretty healthy
If a doctor told me I needed to eat eggs, then I would of course, but I'd prefer not to.

I know lots of unhealthy vegans, too and I know unhealthy omnivores. It's *hard* to do a vegan diet, but it's not impossible.