Hi,
Curt here after a LONG absence. My mother's mid wife gave her eggs and grape juice when she was having me. The older folks knew about it and used this "tonic" as a blood builder. Grape Juice helps iron. The egg has lecithin which is destroyed by heat so the raw egg is better. I suspect that eggs may help build the friendly bacteria but I am not 100% sure of this.
Anyway, after two VERY stressful years in Jordan I am now relocated in Jamaica. We arrived here two days ago to start on another job and begin hunting for a house tomorrow. Since my pace of work has slowed down tremendously this year I decided to go to my Doctor in Amman and get a complete physical before travelling. She is a very knowledgable and thorough physician. Also one who supports us in our dietary choice and wish to not have certain types of drugs/medication. She would recommend alternative medications to give the same result, then leave the decision to us.
When I last wrote to you I got the results of my blood test and wanted to speak with her first before I shared my report here.
Blood works are all fine, cholesterol is VERY VERY low, iron is borderline but she was not concerned. Hepatitis ABC are negative. Colonoscopy showed a healthy colon and ultra sound showed a clinicical specimen of the the pancreas and kidney, She said it was in perfect shape. However, she said I was not drinking enough water and showed me on the ultra sound the kidney and pancreas. She also made the same comment when she looked at my colon some time before. I have been guzzling over the previous month to make up for the dry climate but apparently it was not enough.
However, my B12 was 78 and for this she was concerned. I was not feeling the usual symptoms of B12 deficiency. In discussion with her she said that to assist the B12 there needs to be foods like fish (the highest source), fruits, nuts, seeds. She suspected that it was as a result of my lack of proper daily nutrition (skipping meals) and stress. It was the long period of 14-16 hour days that did it I think. Like the Ben Carson experience without the Big Macs. I was also low on Vit C from fruits (my observation). Stress will quickly deplete one's B12 and Vitamin C.
I have other herbal based sources of B12 which I have taken in the past. Anyway I am now under observation. I am taking a few shots of B12 followed by oral B12/Coenzyme taken daily for a month then follow up tests to see levels as well as to check for absorbtion.
What I can tell you is after I took the B12 shots I began feeling the symptoms of B12 deficiency now that the levels are increasing.
Since there is no other measure/reference than what we have from research (though it is an average across a meat eating sample of population) I will have to try and stay within some fair value within the range. I still would not turn to Meat and Fish.
As for eggs and grape juice, I share Michelle's feelings on it but will try it. My mom used it and we tasted it, it may smell a bit fresh so she put a piece of lemmon skin in the blender when she made it to cut the smell and it worked a charm.
Hope this information helps you.
Curt