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Comment by danuker | Hacker News Reader

> Become vegetarian, if you aren't already.

This is very healthy. But make sure to take B12 if you're going vegetarian.

> Though deficiency for those starting out with adequate stores may take years to develop, the results of B12 deficiency can be devastating, with cases reported of paralysis, psychosis, blindness, and even death.

https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/vitamin-b12/

Edit: To the downvoters, care to explain?

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Supplements are usually not necessary for vegetarians. If you include milk, cheese and eggs in your diet you probably get enough B12. If you are vegan you need to take a bit more care.

32 year vegetarian. Never had to take a supplement.

7 year vegetarian. Recently found out I’m low on iron. Probably because I don’t eat fortified cereals. As a male, I’ve been told not to worry about my Iron intake- but that’s bad advice.

Best is not to generalise and instead get a blood test to check vitamin levels. Talk to your GP.

Agree. The people who successfully transition to a significant diet change like vegan/vegetarian probably already see their primary care physicians. Hence they’re more likely to know they’re deficient. A major diet change would be journaling and testing glucose closely to see what spikes and doesn’t. This is more of a 80/90 thing though and not for everyone.

Personally, I avoid fortified foods because I supplement with higher quality forms elsewhere. Neon yellow urine is not right.

that’s like fearing walking down the street because you might fall into an open manhole cover… can it happen? yep, but it’s extremely rare. do most people ever need to think about it? nope.

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