• streetfestival@lemmy.ca
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    8 months ago

    I agree with and know that a lot of what you said is correct. For me, it’s just much easier to supplement omega-3 than it is restrict omega-6 across my entire diet. That convenience is really valuable to me. I do a generous tablespoon of ground chia seeds stirred in water daily for my omega-3s, as opposed to a capsule.

    Also, if you’re a vegan, there are somethings you should probably take via supplements, B12 being the most notorious example; pretty much every vegan (and many omnis) should take B12 supplements. (B12 is produced by bacteria and doesn’t occur in plants.) Being supplement-wise is important as a vegan. There are a lot of scams out there, but avoiding supplements altogether is ill-advised and in the case of B12 likely deleterious to one’s health.

    Edit: There aren’t citations to this but the reasoning is pretty sound; for anyone interested in more discussion about the value of supplementation for vegans (they’re pro): https://philosophicalvegan.com/wiki/index.php/Natural_vs_Supplementation

    • bushparty
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      8 months ago

      Absolutely B12 should be taken by vegans. This is not something I would ever recommend against. There’s a difference between supplementing something you can’t get vs. supplementing out of convenience.

      I take a B12 supplement daily and encourage all vegans to do so. Supplementing with B12 when there’s no way for vegans to get B12 isn’t the same reductionist science as supplementing Omega 3 because it’s easier than reducing Omega 6.

      B12 is a necessity for healthful living while omega 3 pills are not (though I absolutely cannot disagree with their convenience) as there are other ways to achieve the omegas balance you desire. Reductionist science gives us this “convenient” pill to take (and market to us) instead of affecting the understanding of the industry (or individuals) into reducing omega 6s overall so everyone can be even more healthy.