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.
Can You Lose Track Of The Day Because Of Lack Of B12?
I asked Google AI, the title of this post and received this answer.
Yes, you can absolutely lose track of the day, forget appointments, or feel generally disoriented due to a lack of vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 is crucial for nerve function and cognitive health, and a deficiency often manifests as “brain fog,” memory loss, confusion, and difficulty concentrating.
Here is how a B12 deficiency can affect your sense of time and mental clarity:
Brain Fog and Confusion: A common symptom of low B12 is a feeling of mental sluggishness, confusion, or lack of focus, often described as “brain fog”.
Memory Issues: It can cause significant forgetfulness or memory lapses, making it difficult to remember what day it is, what you are doing, or what tasks you have completed.
Cognitive Decline: Long-term, untreated deficiency can lead to severe cognitive impairment that may mimic dementia or Alzheimer’s in older adults.
Gradual Onset: Because the body stores B12 in the liver (often enough for 2–5 years), the deficiency develops slowly. As a result, you might not notice the gradual loss of mental sharpness or confusion until it starts significantly impacting your daily life.
The source of the report was the NHS web site.
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 Jalfrezi With Basmati Rice For One?
I asked Google AI, the title of this post and received this answer.
Based on typical nutritional data for similar prepared chicken and rice meals, a 400g serving of M&S Chicken Jalfrezi with Basmati Rice likely contains a significant portion of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin B12, largely derived from the chicken breast.
Protein Content: The 400g meal generally provides approximately 32.8g of protein.
Estimated B12: As a rich source of animal protein, 100g of chicken typically provides a significant portion of daily B12. While specific B12 figures for this exact M&S product are not explicitly listed in the search results, similar chicken curry meals provide roughly 0.5–1.0 µg or more per 100g, suggesting a 400g pack could meet or exceed the typical daily adult requirement (around 1.5–2.4 µg).
Nutritional Summary for M&S Chicken Jalfrezi with Rice (400g):
Protein: ~32.8g
Calories: ~372–544 kcal
Fat: ~6.8g–20g
Carbs: ~45.2g–56.4g
The dish contains marinated chargrilled chicken breast, red peppers, and basmati rice.
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.
How Much B12 In A Portion Of Beef Lasagne?
I asked Google AI, the title of this post and received this answer.
A standard portion of beef lasagne (approx. 200g-300g) typically contains between 0.6 mcg and 1.7 mcg of Vitamin B12.
This amount provides roughly 25% to 70% of the recommended daily intake (RDA) for adults (which is 2.4 mcg).
Per 100g: A 100g serving contains approximately 0.3 mcg to 0.4 mcg of B12.
Higher-End Estimates: Some nutritional data indicates that a generous, nutrient-dense serving of homemade beef lasagne can have as much as 1.7 mcg of B12.
Source: The primary source of B12 in this dish is the ground beef, with additional amounts from cheese and dairy.
Note: The exact amount depends on the amount of beef and dairy used in the recipe.
I generally eat, one Marks and Spencer’s Made Without gluten-free beef lasagne every week.
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.