The B12 Issue

Yesterday, a person posted on a 80/10/10 Facebook group inquiring where we get vitamin B12 from and what kind of B12 supplement he should take.

To my surprise, there was a person, self-proclaimed "certified health coach", who advised AGAINST using a B12 supplement. A few other people also supported his statement.

Why did he say that?

Well, he said that on a natural diet like that, comprised of raw fruits and vegetables, we could get every single nutrient, including B12.
Supposedly, eating our natural "species specific diet", would ensure us of everything we need in order to be healthy.
He also explained that "no other animal species take supplements in nature".

I find some flaws in those statements..

First of all, we DON'T live in nature.
Our closest relatives alive (like chimpanzees and orangutans) are NOT 100% frugivores. They do "supplement" their diets with insects and other small animals where they get, amongst other things, vitamin B12.

Besides, the soil, where the fruits and vegetation they consume grow, is much richer in nutrients than the soil where our commercially produce is grown.
Even if we ate only organic produce I doubt most people could ensure adequate B12 intake solely from their diet.

Many people have absorption issues which forces them to consume enriched B12 foods or a supplement.

We may eat a 100% plant based diet without supplementing with vitamin B12 and not show any sign of deficiency for years. Some people can deplete their reserves in only a couple of years whereas for some people it may take 5, 10 or more years for that to happen.

There are many variables to factor in how long it will take to develop a deficiency, but stress, heavy exercise and physical problems absorbing the vitamin play a big role.

My question is: Why to take the risk?

Vitamin B12, as all the B complex vitamins, is a water-soluble vitamin. That means that it dissolves in water and its excess is eliminated in urine, unlike the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) which, if overdosed, get stored in the body and can be toxic.
Hence, there's absolutely NO risk in taking a B12 supplement. There's nothing to lose, and might be a lot to win.
Furthermore, there are vegan B12 supplements, without gelatin, lactose or other animal products in the market.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a SERIOUS condition that shouldn't be overlooked, so instead of risking it for the sake of idealism, I would rather get a supplement and forget about it.

Personally, I have been on a plant based diet for about 3 years, and since 2 years ago or so I've started to take a sublingual B12 supplement (in its methylcobalamin form). My last blood test, done about six months ago showed perfect numbers on my B12 levels.