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New toothpaste for vegans for the prevention of vitamin B12 deficiency
In Germany, more and more people feed without animal products. Vegan nutrition not only has health benefits, but also makes an important contribution to ecological living. However, the supply of vitamin B12 can be problematic for vegans. A toothpaste could provide valuable help here.
More and more people are eating vegan food
According to estimates by the Vegetarian Federation (Vebu), more and more Germans refrain from using animal products such as meat, milk and eggs. About 1.1 percent of the German population lives vegan for moral and ethical reasons. Some critics say that this diet can lead to nutrient deficiencies. Above all, a lack of vitamin B12 could be harmful. Researchers came up with an interesting idea to address the problem: they added toothpaste to the important vitamin.
People who eat vegan foods may be deficient in vitamin B12. Researchers have now tested a toothpaste that has been fortified with the important vitamin - and has achieved good results. (Image: jolopes / fotolia.com) Prevent vitamin B12 deficiency
While conservative politicians warn that a vegan diet may lead to malnutrition, experts say many vegans are better at clarifying deficiencies than other people.
For some nutrients, it is actually more difficult to absorb them properly through a vegan diet. Especially the supply of vitamin B12 can cause problems. However, vegans are usually aware that they should avoid vitamin B12 deficiency.
This is possible, among other things, through dietary supplements or by asking which foods contain the most nutrients and are nourished accordingly. Another option could be a vitamin B12 enriched toothpaste.
Toothpaste enriched with vitamin B12
German scientists report in the journal "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" about the test of a tooth gel, which was enriched with vitamin B12.
The study found that the blood concentration of vitamin B12 was higher in vegan subjects who had their teeth brushed with vitamin toothpaste than in those who had used a standard toothpaste.
The pilot study already showed improvements
As the experts of the Institute for Alternative and Sustainable Nutrition (IFANE) report on their website, a pilot study carried out in 2011 with a vitamin B12-enriched toothpaste already showed that the vitamin B12 status of the vegetarian and vegan subjects after a five-week trial period had improved significantly.
However, it remained unclear whether the use of a corresponding toothpaste (or a dental gel) can improve the vitamin B12 status even over a longer period of time.
Special tooth gel was tested for 12 weeks
In the current study, 66 healthy adults who had been vegan for at least two years and had previously been vegetarian or vegan for at least three years were divided into two groups.
Both groups were given identical looking test tubes with tooth gel of the same color and consistency. The placebo group, however, did not contain vitamin B12.
"The study participants were encouraged to use the respective tooth gel twice a day for two minutes each for 12 weeks. Blood samples were taken at the beginning and after the intervention, "writes the institute.
Vitamin B12 absorbed through the mucosa
The researchers found that use of the vitamin B12-enriched dental gel over a period of twelve weeks improved the vitamin B12 status of vegans.
They also reported that the improved vitamin B12 levels were especially evident in vegans who had not previously taken vitamin B12 supplements.
Years ago, the researchers explained why the dental gel can achieve such a good effect: "Individual studies indicate that vitamin B12 can also be absorbed via the oral mucosa." (Ad)