Ishtar wrote:Hi Jeff,
Thanks so much for your reply, I found it very helpful.
I am really not using processed foods right nor but I can finally understand why the autoimmune disease was getting worse and worse: the high fat diet.
Regarding the essential fats, lately I have not eaten flax as I was already eating too much oil ( until 3 months ago when I was told I have fat malabsorption). I think I do need them as my skin is too dry. Are you familiar with chia seeds? Just read some info that they are better than flax.
I had forgot to ask you how long should I wait before having my B12 levels checked if I was taking algae products. Turns out my doctor thinks my levels are too low because I have the symptoms. Just last year I took a dose that is supposed to cover my B12 needs during the next 5 years (it was a sublingual B12 methylcobalamin).
I have been taken lots of chlorella and spirulina at least, during the last 5 years and she told me the analogues prevent the absorption of B12. Is this true?
Fat, especially the fat that most people consume, even, and especially all the vegetable oils, is the worst for the immune system, so cutting that out will be important.
You do not need to buy chia, or hemp or anything else, as they are not better, as flax is just fine and one of the richest sources there is of Omega 3s. It is also widely available and very inexpensive. Just add in 1-2 TB of ground flax per day.
Algae and spirulina and chorella are not good sources of Vit B12 and, you are correct, contain analogues that may actually interfere with B12 absorption.
You do not have to wait to take B12 if you dont want to, especially if you already have symptoms.
You could take 2000 mcgs of B12 a day for 14 days to try and build up your reserves and then go down to about 1000 mcgs once or twice a week and get your levels rechecked.
The following ones ares vegan
* Pangea VeganLife B12 Chewable Supplement 1,000 mcg tablets
* VegLife sublingual 1,000 mcg lozenges.
* Freeda Vitamins 500 mcg lozenges
* Nature's Bounty sublingual 2500 mcg
* Solgar sublingual 1,000 mcg nuggets
In Health
Jeff Novick,MS, RD