With Only A Few Months To Go My Health Has Gone Round In A Circle
How many people can honestly say that after seventy-six years that their health has gone round in a circle?
But I have!
At three years old, I was a sickly child with a constantly running nose.
I know this because at that age I can see cauldrons of boiling torn up old sheets, sitting on the gas stove.
I needed so many handkerchiefs,that my mother, used to use the sheets as it was cheaper.
Now my nose is constantly running and sneezing.
In Does Lack Of B12 Make You Sneeze?, I investigate the relationship between B12 and sneezing.
My Regular Ready Meals
These are the Marks & Spencer Ready Meals for one, that I regularly buy.
How Much B12 In An M&S Chicken Breast In Cheese & Ham Sauce For One?
How Much B12 In An M & S Chicken Jalfrezi With Basmati Rice For One?
How Much B12 In An M & S Lamb Hot Pot For One?
How Much B12 In An M & S Liver And Bacon For One?
Note.
In each of the linked posts, gives a B12 analysis from Google AI for each meal.
How Much B12 In An M & S Lamb Hot Pot For One?
I asked Google AI, the title of this post and received this answer.
Based on typical nutritional values for lamb-based ready meals, a 400g–450g M&S Lamb Hot Pot for One is likely to provide a significant portion of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin B12, estimated to be well over 1.5–2 micrograms (g) per serving.
Lamb Content: The M&S Lamb Hot Pot contains approximately 21% cooked lamb.
B12 Density: Cooked lamb generally provides around 2–3 micrograms (g) of Vitamin B12 per 100g of meat.
Total Content: In a 450g meal containing roughly 90-100g of lamb, the B12 content is likely to fall within a range that comfortably covers or exceeds 50% of the daily adult requirement (which is 2.4g in the US and 1.5g in the UK).
The meal also provides roughly 25-29g of protein per pack.
As I would have expected, this ready meal is a good source of B12.
How Much B12 In An M & S Liver And Bacon For One?
I asked Google AI, the title of this post and received this answer.
An M&S Lamb’s Liver and Bacon meal (typically 450g for one) is an exceptionally high source of Vitamin B12 due to the high concentration in liver, likely providing well over 100 µg (micrograms) of B12 per pack.
Key Facts Regarding B12 in M&S Liver and Bacon:
Liver Density: Lamb’s liver contains roughly 85–90 micrograms of Vitamin B12 per 100g.
Component Breakdown: The 450g meal contains approximately 16% liver (approx. 72g of liver).
Total Content Estimate: Based on the 72g of liver, a single 450g meal likely contains roughly 60–70 µg of Vitamin B12, which is over 2,000% of the daily recommended intake.
Additional Sources: The bacon and gravy also contribute to this total.
The UK Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) for adults is 1.5 micrograms daily, making this meal a significant source.
As I would have expected, this ready meal is a good source of B12.
How Much B12 In An M&S Chicken Breast In Cheese & Ham Sauce For One?
I asked Google AI, the title of this post and received this answer.
The provided search results do not contain specific information regarding the exact amount of Vitamin B12 in M&S Chicken Breast in Cheese & Ham Sauce.
However, based on the ingredients list (chicken breast, cheddar cheese, cream, and smoked ham), this product is likely to be a good source of Vitamin B12, as all its main components are rich in this nutrient.
For context, typical nutritional values per 100g for this product include:
Protein: ~9.6g – 20.5g (depending on specific product variation)
Fat: ~6.4g – 12.6g
Energy: ~138 – 144 kcal
For precise B12 content, it is recommended to check the specific nutritional label on the packaging, as it is not always listed in online summaries.
How Much B12 In A Portion Of Chilli-Con-Carne?
I asked Google AI, the title of this post and received this answer.
A standard 1-cup (approx. 240g–250g) portion of homemade or canned chilli con carne typically contains between 0.68 mcg and 1.6 mcg of Vitamin B12. This amount represents approximately 28% to 67% of the recommended daily intake (DV) for adults.
Vitamin B12 Content Breakdown:
Homemade with Beef (Approx. 250g): ~1.6 mcg (67% DV).
Canned Entree (1 cup/242g): ~0.68 mcg (28% DV).
Chilli with Rice (450g meal): ~2.28 mcg (57% DV).
Key Factors Affecting B12 Levels:
Meat Quantity: A higher ratio of ground beef increases the B12 content, as 3 ounces of lean ground beef alone provides 2.4 mcg (100% DV).
Serving Size: A larger, restaurant-sized portion (e.g., 12 oz) will contain significantly more than a standard 1-cup serving.
Chilli con carne is considered an excellent source of Vitamin B12 due to the beef content, which helps meet the daily requirement of 2.4 mcg for adults.
I generally eat, one Marks and Spencer’s Count on Us chilli-con-carne and rice, every week. It doesn’t say on the packaging if it is gluten-free, but my highly-tuned gut says it is.
What Does Google AI Say In Answer To Is Marks And Spencer’s Count On Us Chilli Con Carne And Rice Gluten Free?
The M&S Count On Us Chilli Con Carne and Rice is generally considered safe as it does not list gluten-containing ingredients, but it is not explicitly labeled as “gluten-free” and may have risks of cross-contamination. While many M&S “Count on Us” meals are considered “accidentally” gluten-free, it is advised to check the label for “may contain” warnings before consuming.
I used to have a ginger Glaswegian friend, who had a Michelin star (Not him, one of the others!) He told me that chilli con carne should be gluten-free.
Does Lack Of B12 Affect Your Hearing?
I asked Google AI, the title of this post and received this answer.
Yes, a lack of vitamin B12 can affect your hearing, potentially leading to tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and hearing loss. Deficiencies can cause nerve damage (demyelination) in the auditory nerve and damage the small blood vessels in the inner ear.
Impact on Hearing
Tinnitus: Studies suggest B12 deficiency is linked to tinnitus, with some research indicating that supplementation can improve or reverse these symptoms.
Hearing Loss: Low B12 levels are associated with a higher prevalence of hearing impairment, particularly in older adults.
Inner Ear Damage: A lack of B12 may cause degeneration of the cochlear nerve.
Developmental Issues: In children, B12 deficiency may interfere with auditory development.
Causes and Risk Factors
Deficiency can result in high homocysteine levels, which may impair blood flow to the cochlea.
Risk factors for low B12 include:
Vegetarians/Vegans: Due to limited dietary intake.
Adults Over 60: Due to reduced absorption.
Digestive Disorders: Conditions like Coeliac or Crohn’s disease.
Medications: Long-term use of metformin or antacids.
If you are experiencing persistent tinnitus or hearing changes, it is recommended to consult a doctor to check your B12 levels.
I fairly sure that my hearing fits that pattern. Although, I’ve never had tinnitus.
How Do B12 Levels Affect Pain In Knee Joints?
I asked Google AI, the title of this post and received this answer.
Low Vitamin B12 levels can cause or worsen knee joint pain primarily through nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), which causes sensations of pain, tingling, or numbness in the legs. Deficiency also increases homocysteine, a pro-inflammatory amino acid linked to joint inflammation and, in some cases, accelerated cartilage deterioration.
Key Connections Between B12 and Knee Pain:
Neuropathic Pain: A lack of B12 damages the myelin sheath protecting nerves, leading to pain, pins and needles, or burning sensations often felt in the extremities, including the knees.
Inflammation and Joint Damage: Low B12 levels are associated with higher homocysteine levels, which can cause inflammation, swelling, and increased friction in the joints.
Deficiency Symptoms: Along with joint pain, B12 deficiency commonly causes fatigue, muscle weakness, and numbness.
Improvement with Supplementation: Studies suggest that maintaining adequate B12 levels, or using supplements, can reduce joint pain and improve mobility.
If you are experiencing persistent joint pain or numbness, it is advisable to have your B12 levels checked.
From my own experience, I would also get tested for coeliac disease.
Does Being Widowed Lower Your B12?
I asked Google AI, the title of this post and received this answer.
Widowhood does not directly cause a biological decrease in B12, but it is often associated with lifestyle changes and stressors—such as depression, loss of appetite, and reduced nutritional intake—that can lead to a lower intake of Vitamin B12.
Key points regarding the connection:
Nutritional Risk: Research suggests that older adults who are widowed or depressed may have lower intakes of various nutrients, including Vitamin B12.
Depression Link: Depression, which is common in bereavement, is significantly associated with lower plasma levels of vitamin B12.
“Undernourishment” Factor: Studies indicate that widowed individuals are frequently represented in groups at high risk for undernutrition, which can contribute to nutrient deficiencies.
Lifestyle Changes: The transition to widowhood often involves a loss of partner support, leading to poorer nutritional habits and neglect of self-care.
While being widowed is not a direct metabolic cause, it is a significant risk factor for conditions that lead to B12 deficiency in older adults.
I certainly, eat less Vitamin B12, than before my wife died, as when we had a meal in a certain pub in Suffolk or Carluccio’s, I always had calves liver or fegato.
The Anonymous Widower 