Question: My wife has decided to stop eating meat, but I worry about her not getting enough vitamins — is it true that vegetarians have a B12 deficiency? If so, what can she do?

Answer: Many years ago I heard a story about a sage from India who was a strict vegan (no meat, dairy, eggs) who ate only rice, beans, vegetables and fruits.

He has not touched any meat, fish, fowl or dairy for at least 30 years. When British nutritional researchers heard of this man, they went to his village in India to study him. He appeared many years younger than his chronological age and had no obvious signs of nutritional deficiency.

He allowed the researchers to draw samples of his blood, which when analyzed showed no lack of any essential nutritional substances, including vitamin B12. His disciples explained his healthy status as a result of his pure lifestyle and expanded state of consciousness that enabled him to use metabolic pathways, not usually available to average people.

The man agreed to return to London with the researchers where he could be further studied. On a metabolic research unit, he was placed on the same diet he had been consuming in his village and within nine months began to show signs of B12 deficiency.

With further research, it was discovered that in his home grown diet, there were just enough little grubs and insect larvae in his rice and beans to provide him with the minimum sources of B12. These added benefits were lacking in the more sterilized Western equivalents.

Fortunately, we need very little of this essential nutrient which is necessary for maintaining healthy blood cells and nerves. Only 5 micrograms per day are required to maintain adequate stores and the anemia that can be caused by B12 deficiency can respond to as little as 0.1 micrograms when the vitamin is given by an injection.

To adequately absorb B12 when taken orally, we must have intrinsic factor which is secreted in our gastric juices and allows the vitamin to be absorbed. Once taken into the body, B12 is stored in the liver in amounts estimated at 2,000 micrograms. In people who have been eating animal products, it may take several years to develop symptoms of a B12 deficiency if they stop receiving adequate amounts in their diet.

Vitamin B12 is found in animal products. Although cows receive their B12 from bacterial synthesis in their digestive tracts, this does not occur in adequate amounts in man. There are negligible amounts in vegetables.

We do not, however, need to eat meat to obtain adequate intake. Diary products including milk, yogurt and cheese provide sufficient sources of B12 if they are taken on a daily basis. For people who choose a strict vegan diet, supplementation with vitamin B12 is required.