Was your doctor a vegan?

I never use mouthwash. Ever. Tried it a couple of times as a student way back when. Never really liked it. It always left an aftertaste that I found unpleasant. I haven't touched the stuff in so long I can't remember when it last was. So mouthwash is no culprit in my case.

In fact, I only rarely brush my teeth. I probably brush about once every other month on average. My diet includes enough raw foods that I find brushing unnecessary. I've also hoped to provide a more natural pathway for B12 absorption. I think it helps.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

Green - - By definition, PA is a malabsorption problem with B12 caused by the lack of intrinsic factor. Not all B12 deficiencies are called Pernicious Anemia. Pernicious Anemia can also be inherited because of a genetic defect. Understand the whether it is a absolute lack of B12, or malabsorption of B12, the effect is the same. Megaloblastic anemia, nerve problems, depression, weakness, DNA issues, etc... But the treatment may be different.

Eggs - - An egg have about 0.5 micrograms +/- of B12. Daily requirements of B12 have been listed as between 1.5 and 5 micrograms/day. So, if 1.5 micrograms/day is the requirement, your 3 eggs will work IF, IF, you absorb all that you eat, which required Intrinsic Factor. And if you have the medical definition of Pernicious Anemia, you do not have Intrinsic Factor, thus my surprise at eggs along being effective. This is why the treatment of B12 deficiency, supplement tablets are often 1000 micrograms taken sublingually to aid in absorption, or via B12 injections. But what ever the cause, I'm glad you have found a solution.

Interesting, APL. I'm learning more about the terminology, I guess. It appears that pernicious anemia goes by other names, one of them being "megaloblastic anemia," and this is a larger category which also more accurately describes the condition I had. I contracted the disease about two decades back, however, and this term may not have been as commonly used at that time. The laboratory blood tests which were performed at that time showed that I had an elevated MCV level, a condition where the red blood cells are oversized due to their lessened ability to carry oxygen. This is what causes the tingling and numbness in the extremities, because the larger cells do not easily pass through the tiny capillaries in the joints.

So intrinsic factor may not have been my problem. The problem was lack of adequate B12 in the diet. Nevertheless, it seems there must still have been some issues with the intrinsic factor if I could so soon develop a B12 deficiency. It's a complex problem with no simple answers.

The simplest answer is that of Ellen White. She advocates the use of milk and eggs until such a time as the Lord clearly tells us to give them up. Giving them up too soon, for whatever reason, may cause us to lose our health and result in death. In other words, it is not a mark of sainthood to be a vegan. It is an extreme measure only to be taken when the circumstances demand it.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

"Megaloblastic Anemia" means that the cell size is large - "Mega", so yes, your MCV (Mean Corpuscular (Cell) Volume) will be large. B12 deficiency is one cause of Megaloblastic Anemia. And repeating just to be clear, B12 deficiency can be caused by a lack of B12 in the diet, or an inability to absorb B12. The inability to absorb B12 is called Pernicious Anemia. Both the lack of B12 in the diet, and/or the inability to absorb B12 will cause a megaloblastic anemia, and neurologic issues, etc...

Note - the bias on diet can work both ways. MANY people eat a totally plant based diet and do very well. As a fraction of the total population, this number is small. And again, EGW is clear, all animal products will eventually need to be given up, and that time is very soon. That is my opinion, and I never knock people for eating what they want. I have seen a number of people recover health by going plant based.

Are you a health professional, APL?

So, if what you are saying here is true, it appears that "megaloblastic anemia" might be unrelated to a B12 deficiency. If it were caused by B12 deficiency, it appears there is no correct name for the problem unless it was also caused by lack of intrinsic factor. In other words, it appears that my specific condition, which was related to B12 deficiency, could not have been properly named by "pernicious anemia" if it had nothing to do with lack of intrinsic factor, and could not have been specific enough with "megaloblastic anemia" to indicate the cause. Furthermore, I don't think any tests were run, if indeed they were possible to do, to check my intrinsic factor levels. So the nearest diagnosis the doctor could have given would have been "pernicious anemia." Does that sound right?

The fact that the eggs cured it is what is most important. Before the school year finished, I was able to catch up enough on my studies to complete my classes. I won't ever ignore the slight tingle that I might get in my hands for no apparent reason again, because this is a classic symptom of B12 deficiency. When I begin to feel such a thing, which happens very rarely, I know I need to eat more eggs.

Anyone wishing to experiment with a strict vegan diet should minimally know and understand the symptoms of B12 deficiency.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

There are a number of causes of "megaloblastic anemia". B12 deficiency is one. If you are not getting enough B12 in your diet, this is called B12 deficiency. Simple enough. If you are getting B12 in your diet, and you still have insufficient B12, then one needs to consider intrinsic factor deficiency, which is called Pernicious Anemia. Folate deficiency can also cause megaloblastic anemia. Other things to consider include alcohol abuse. Some drugs and other systemic diseases can contribute to megaloblastic anemia, which usually affect B12 or folate absorption. Some surgical procedures and leave a person at risk for B12 deficiency.

Lots of eggs in the diet are not without their own issue. Have you tried a B12 supplement lately? Note that B12 supplements are often taken sublingually. This is so that absorption takes place there if intrinsic factor is missing. There are several forms of B12 you can take as a supplement. Perhaps the form you tried, perhaps cyanocobalamin, did not convert correctly. Using one of the other (more expensive) forms may work. Also note, many products are fortified with B12. And also note - just because a person is a dairy/meat eater, does not mean they can not be come B12 deficient!

Yes, cyanocobalamin was the form I was taking via IM shots, if I remember correctly. It's been a long time since then. If I were to attempt such a means of supplementation again, I would try hydroxocobalamin or some other form. But eating eggs has kept me out of trouble, and it seems a lot more natural to eat an egg than to get a shot. Those sublingual meds annoy me, for some reason. They taste weird and unnatural, and cause excess salivation which is uncomfortable.

No one knows all the reasons why Mrs. White recommends eating eggs, but she specifically mentions as one of the reasons their ability to counteract poisons. That is not a significant property of B12, so far as we know. Sulfur is far more likely the source of help in that department, as I have posted earlier. I also noted earlier that meat eaters can still be B12 deficient.



Again, there are reasons for Mrs. White's statements in favor of milk and eggs that go beyond vitamin B12. We may not know all of the reasons, and science may not yet be able to fully prove the prophet's words.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

Our close and beloved friend who has been vegan all her life along with her family, was just given a diagnosis of cancer a little while ago. She immeadiately went to a center in Colorado for natural healing and just came back. I am at work so more later...

Yes, but why?
But why would they "know this"?
I study Mrs. White's writings carefully, but I do not know this.

Since you seem to be emphasizing "soon" and "time", or more of "not soon", would it be fair to give the dates of your quotes?

How will God reveal it? What are you looking for?

"Mounting"? Really? Do you work in marketing?

"Numerous". Another one.

Whether you work in marketing is not relevant. What is relevant is whether the reader has had experience in spotting such words and know there should be questions asked.

You know:
Our brand has "more".
New improved with 10% more.
Low sodium/fat/calories/etc.
Natural.
Choosy moms choose us.
Made with real wheat/oats/etc.

It should be noted, that I know of no 120 year old vegans, lacto/ovo vegetarians, lacto/pesco vegetarians, or carnivores. We all die. We live in the world. Toxins are everywhere. EGW puts it this way:We can not escape death on this earth. The only thing we can look forward to is the earth made new and the atonement which Christ has provided.