vitamin B-12

Dear All,

I am new to the raw food community, so I have a couple of questions. I am currently going to nursing school and taking anatomy and physiology. Today I was reading through my textbook about red blood cell production.

Under the topic of Regulation of Erythropoiesis (red blood cell formation) it states, "For erythropoiesis to proceed normally, the red bone marrow must receive adequate supplies of amino acides, iron, and vitamins (including B-12, B-6 and folic acid) required for protein synthesis. For examiples, we obtain vitamin B-12 from diary products and meat, and its absorpotion requires the presence of intrinsic factor (a glycoprotein secreted by the parietal cells of the stomach, that facilitates the intestinal absorption of vitamin B-12) produced in the stomach. If vitamin B-12 is not obtained from the diet, normal stem cell divisions cannot occur and pernicious anemia results. (see http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic1799.htm for more info on pernicous anemia) Thus, pernicious anemia is caused by a vitamin B-12 deficiency by a problems with the production of intrinsic factor, or by a problem with the absorpotion of vitamin B-12 bound to intrinsic factor."

The article in emedicine noted above also indicates that, "The basic structure known as vitamin B-12 is solely synthesized by microorganisms." Therefore, that indicates to me that you cannot get B-12 from nuts and beans.

I am wondering what the raw food/vegan community has to say about this topic?? It seems rather serious to me, and concludes that one has to eat meat or dairy to avoid this health consequence of eating zero dairy or meat.

I love eating raw, so I'm not trying to discredit this way of eating, but I think this health concern needs some discussion. (and probably already had been addressed to death.)

Any comments would be interesting and helpful!

Rosie Stahl