Vitamin B12 is essential for the proper functioning of the brain, nerves, and blood cells. It plays a key role in DNA synthesis, red blood cell production, and the maintenance of the myelin sheath that protects nerve fibres. B12 also supports energy metabolism and helps regulate mood and cognitive function through its role in neurotransmitter synthesis. A deficiency can lead to serious issues such as fatigue, anemia, nerve damage, cognitive decline, and even permanent neurological problems if left untreated.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a wide range of symptoms affecting both the body and mind. Common signs include fatigue, weakness, pale or jaundiced skin, and shortness of breath due to anemia. Neurological symptoms may appear even before blood levels drop significantly and can include numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, poor balance, muscle weakness, and cognitive issues such as memory loss, confusion, or difficulty concentrating. Mood changes like depression, anxiety, and irritability are also common. Some people may experience a swollen, smooth tongue, mouth ulcers, dizziness, or visual disturbances. In severe or prolonged cases, nerve damage and even irreversible neurological impairment can occur. These symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions, making proper testing and early detection essential.
God's Optimal Diet
In the book of Genesis God gave mankind a plant-based diet as the original and ideal food for human health and well-being. According to Genesis 1:29, this diet consisted of “every herb bearing seed” and “every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed,” emphasizing grains, fruits, nuts, and seeds as the foundation of human nourishment. After sin entered the world, vegetables ("the herb of the field") were added to the human diet, as noted in Genesis 3:18. This simple, natural diet was intended to sustain life, promote vitality, and support a close connection with the Creator. It contained no animal products, reflecting a world in which death had not yet become part of the human experience.
Numerous biblical health reformers have held that this original Edenic diet was divinely designed to supply all human nutritional needs and serve as a model for healthful living, especially as humanity prepares for the final restoration of all things. Ellen G. White writes:
“Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator.” — Ministry of Healing, p. 296
“The time will come when we may have to give up milk and cream and eggs.” — Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 359
“Let our people discard all unwholesome recipes... they should learn how to live healthfully, and teach it to others.” — Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 9, p. 161
“The Lord intends to bring His people back to live upon simple fruits, vegetables, and grains.” — Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 380
Two Conflicting Views On B12 Deficiency
There are two main viewpoints on vitamin B12 deficiency. The conventional view holds that B12, produced by bacteria, must be obtained through diet (primarily animal products) or supplements, since human gut bacteria produce it too low in the colon for effective absorption. Deficiencies are therefore due to either poor intake or malabsorption. In contrast, a more naturalistic view argues that a healthy gut microbiome can produce sufficient B12 in the small intestine, and that modern deficiencies stem from poor gut health, over-sanitation, and unnatural diets, not a lack of B12-rich foods or supplements.
Meat-Eaters Not Immune to Deficiencies
Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in meat-eaters than many realize, especially in older adults and those with underlying health conditions. Studies suggest that up to 15–20% of adults in Western countries may have suboptimal B12 levels, and about 5–10% may be clinically deficient, even while consuming animal products.*
Vitamin B12 deficiency can occur in meat-eaters because absorbing B12 properly requires healthy stomach acid and a protein called intrinsic factor. Factors like aging, certain medications (such as acid reducers and diabetes drugs), autoimmune conditions, and digestive disorders can impair this absorption process. As a result, even people who consume enough B12-rich foods may develop a deficiency over time because their bodies cannot effectively take in or use the vitamin.
Intrinsic Factor Crucial
Intrinsic factor is a glycoprotein produced by the stomach that is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the small intestine. Specifically, it binds to vitamin B12, allowing it to be transported to and absorbed by the terminal ileum, a part of the small intestine. Without sufficient intrinsic factor, vitamin B12 deficiency can occur, leading to various health issues, including pernicious anemia.
Factors that can impair intrinsic factor or stomach acid production:
- overeating or eating too frequently,
- drinking water with meals (diluting gastric juices),
- stress or anxiety,
- inadequate chewing,
- dehydration, and
- meals late at night or eaten in hurry/stress
Lifestyle/diet practices to support absorption:
- include cultured (fermented) foods daily,
- follow meals structured as 50% raw and 50% cooked,
- leave 5–6 hours between meals for digestive rest,
- hydrate between meals only (stop ~½ hour before, resume ~1.5–2 hours after),
- chew food thoroughly,
- eat in a calm, relaxed environment
During a time of “no buy, no sell,” when those refusing the mark of the beast cannot access regular commerce, obtaining supplements, including essential ones like vitamin B₁₂, would be extremely challenging. This raises concerns about maintaining health on restrictive diets without access to fortified foods or synthetic supplements. Faithful individuals will need to rely more heavily on natural, unprocessed plant foods, traditional methods of nutrition, and divine providence to meet their nutritional needs. This situation underscores the importance of early preparation, adopting diets that minimize dependency on manufactured supplements, and trusting God’s guidance to sustain health during periods of severe scarcity and persecution.
*Source:
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB%E2%82%81%E2%82%82-HealthProfessional/