B vitamins

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Phytofoods, such as soy foods and beverages, green leafy vegetables, and fruits, are naturally lower in methionine than animal foods and they contain a healthy supply of b vitamins that keep homocysteine levels in check. (Note to strict vegetarians: vitamin B12 is found only in animal products, fortified food products such as breakfast cereals, and vitamin supplements.) Now, scientists are taking a hard look at homocysteine's involvement in other health problems. Cancer researchers are now wondering if homocysteine is involved in tumor growth.

Since many b vitamins work in tandem, use a B-complex vitamin supplement. Vitamin B6 can be toxic in large doses. Never supplement your diet with a single B vitamin unless advised to do so by a physician. VANADYL SULFATE Studies have shown that vanadyl sulfate and bis (maltolato) oxova-nadium (BMOV), a trace mineral, promote sugar metabolism that helps lower blood glucose levels. Vanadyl sulfate and BMOV may activate insulin receptors and reduce the amount of fatty acids carried in the blood (triglycerides).

And the elderly are especially vulnerable to homocysteine damage because they often have trouble absorbing b vitamins from food. "With regard to heart disease, high homocysteine is about as dangerous as smoking," says Killian Robinson, M.D., a cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic. "Each confers a twofold increase in risk." And not just to arteries in the heart: homocysteine seems to damage blood vessels in the brain, too. For years, scientists have wondered why heart disease rates rise so dramatically as people enter their golden years.

Prozac: Panacea or Pandora? The Rest of the Story on the New Class of SSRI Antidepressants Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lovan, Luvox & More Ann Blake Tracy, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Extreme stimulation of the nervous system, adrenal glands and metabolism creates severe deficiencies of the neurotransmitters, calcium, magnesium, fatty acids, and b vitamins. Heavy users often develop serious mental disorders, including acute paranoia." (ADDICTIONS, A NUTRITIONAL APPROACH TO RECOVERY, P. 29) It should seem extremely irrational to be using drugs with a strong stimulant effect to treat mental disorders when in the long run they create mental disorders.

Natural Pet Cures: Dog & Cat Care the Natural Way Dr. John Heinerman See book keywords and concepts

Vitamin C is critical for fighting infections and the b vitamins assist in regulating nerve transmissions. Also, yarrow herb is excellent for tissue inflammation. It can be administered in the form of a tea with good results.

Natural Health Secrets From Around the World Glenn W. Geelhoed, M.D. and Jean Barilla, M.S. See book keywords and concepts

Honey is also loaded with nutrients: potassium, sulfur, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, silica, copper, iron, maganese, enzymes, amino acids, b vitamins, Honey Hotline More information about the healing benefits of honey is just a (free!) phone call away. The National Honey Board Food Technology Program sponsors the Honey Hotline to answer all your questions. Call the hotline at (800)356-5941 or write to: National Honey Board Food Technology Program, P.O. Box 281525, San Francisco, CA 94128-1525. Raw Or Processed? The best honey is raw, not processed.

In some instances, cradle cap in nursing babies was linked to mothers who had a biotin deficiency — a condition that cleared up when these women took extra b vitamins. CROHN'S DISEASE Crohn's Disease is a chronic inflammatory disease which can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, but most commonly strikes the terminal ileum (the point where the small intestine joins the large intestine). The disease causes the inflammation to progress through all layers of the intestine, which becomes very thick, sometimes forming patches of ulcers and abscesses.

One of the most important b vitamins is B12, first isolated in 1926 as a cure for anemia, but later found to be helpful for brain function, iron assimilation and childhood growth. Vitamin C Vitamin C was first isolated in 1936 by Hungarian Albert Szent-Gyorgyi and was later championed by two-time Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling. In addition to being an antioxidant, vitamin C boosts our immune system by increasing antibody function and raising levels of interferon, a substance that's been shown to reduce cancer risk.

Green and yellow vegetables high in b vitamins are best eaten raw, because these vitamins are water-soluble, which means they are easily dissolved when boiled or steamed. Vitamin Bl, also called thiamin, can help lift your mood and stimulate your appetite. Vitamin B3 (niacin) can help maintain a strong constitution by boosting blood circulation, thinning the blood and lowering cholesterol while strengthening digestion.

Brewer's yeast is a by-product of brewing that is a great source of b vitamins, which have been shown to combat many of the problems of aging by helping to strengthen the body and quicken the mind. It's especially useful for liver problems, particularly cirrhosis of the liver brought on by alcoholism. In addition, brewer's yeast can help perk you up, often relieving fatigue, depression, constipation and irritability — symptoms suffered by many older people. Brewer's yeast is also very high in protein, a big plus for bedridden or sickly folks.

Smart Medicine for Healthier Living : Practical A-Z Reference to Natural and Conventional Treatments for Adults Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND See book keywords and concepts

Bifidobacteria also aid in the production of b vitamins and assist in the dietary management of certain liver conditions. The body can lose its stores of friendly bacteria in many ways. For example, if you must take antibiotics, these drugs not only destroy harmful bacteria, but kill off the essential bacteria as well. Birth-control pills, certain over-the-counter drugs, the chlorine and fluoride in tap water, environmental pollutants, mental and physical stress, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, tobacco, and alcohol also reduce normal levels of beneficial bacteria.

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Many pharmacies carry the individual b vitamins in 25 mg. tablets. For smaller animals, you can cut a 25 mg. tablet in half. "Lecithin breaks down fats, helping the body to eliminate them. Buy the capsules at a health food store. Apple cider vinegar added to the drinking water will also help to dissolve fats. Please do not give your dog or cat vinegar unless it's organic. "These dosages are adequate for approximately every 25 lbs. of body weight. Cut in half for most cats and increase accordingly for larger dogs. You do not have to be exact.

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Make sure that you are getting a sufficient supply of the "antistress" b vitamins. Also consider nervous system sedatives such as valerian, skullcap, chamomile and California poppy to help keep you calm and to repair damage that may already have been done. The versatile herb valerian calms people who are agitated, but stimulates those who feel fatigued, according to one Italian study. During World War II, the British used valerian tincture to treat nerves shattered during bombing raids on London.

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Take a high-potency B-complex formula (50 to 100 milligrams a day) or a daily multiple vitamin/mineral with at least 50 milligrams of the b vitamins. • If digestive and assimilative capacities are impaired, you may require periodic intramuscular injections of vitamin B-12 (1,000 micrograms) and folic acid (2 milligrams) to help you regain your energy. You may also need injectable B complex (a formula containing 100 milligrams of vitamin B-l and lesser amounts of the other Bs), or you may require a broader range of intravenous nutrients, as described under CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME.

Individuals who do not respond to the therapeutic administration of B-6, other b vitamins, and/or beta-carotene may have hepatocyte activation failure. In addition, the liver combines niacin and glutamic acid to make glucose tolerance factor (GTF), which potentiates the function of insulin at the cellular level. It metabolize a specific toxin. It's important to understand that the effective functioning of all our enzymes depends on adequate dietary nutrients. Zinc, for example, fuels ninety known enzymes.

This finding has been reported usually when B-6 is taken in very large doses (over 500 milligrams a day) for many months, and without other b vitamins. Such side effects rarely occur in daily doses of 100 milligrams or less along with the whole B complex. Many individuals find that B-complex vitamins boost their energy while calming their nerves and improving sleep. In some rare cases, they can cause sleep difficulties. If this happens to you, take your Bs earlier in the day.

I believe in the long-term preventive value of vitamin/mineral supplements, and I suggest using a multiple similar to the formula above, but with low to moderate potency b vitamins (20 to 50 milligrams a day). If you do not believe in taking vitamins, then be sure to maintain a whole-foods, balanced diet (see Chapters Three and Four) and frequently include "All Star" foods and foods that are especially high in nutrients (see Chapter Five). For city dwellers or anyone exposed to significant car exhaust fumes and other pollutants, I suggest at least an antioxidant formula (see page 58).

By comparison, a standard multiple vitamin with recommended RDA levels would be taken once a day and would feature drastically scaled-down amounts for the b vitamins (1 or 2 milligrams each) and most of the minerals. Many of the generic supplements available in drugstores and supermarkets do not contain even half of the minerals listed above. Which Potency Is Right for You? When I feel that an individual is fairly depleted nutritionally, I suggest a high-dose multiple. If significant improvement occurs, I recommend staying at the same dose for several months.

Calcium and magnesium can also help the nervous system, although deficiencies of these minerals do not have a direct effect on hypoglycemia, as do chromium and the b vitamins. Take up to 1,000 milligrams of calcium and 500 milligrams of magnesium a day (usually found together in the same tablet, liquid, or powder). The citrate, malate, and ascorbate forms are well absorbed (see Chapter Six). In cases of insomnia, be sure to use at least half or even all of this dose at bedtime. Up to 500 milligrams of calcium can be found in some high-potency multiple vitamin/mineral formulations.

Natural Health Secrets From Around the World Glenn W. Geelhoed, M.D. and Jean Barilla, M.S. See book keywords and concepts

As a result, they get an ample supply of b vitamins, including vitamin B2, which could be effective against hair loss. Vitamin B6 is found in yeast, bananas, pears, liver and salmon. And biotin is another B vitamin to consider. It is found in some special shampoos and lotions. BLISTERS Blisters are generally found on the feet, hands, knees and elbows, but may occur on other parts of the body as well. A blister is a watery swelling of fluids or blood just underneath the surface of the skin. It is caused by continuous rubbing or any other source of consistent irritation.

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B vitamins are necessary for cell energy and hormone production. They also contain high amounts of protein, enzymes, and eight essential amino acids and have been found to be useful for cancer, heart disease, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), flu, tumors, viruses, high blood pressure, obesity, and aging. Lentinant, a polysaccharide found in the root and cell wall of shiitake, has a triple-helix structure, a shape considered important to the healing properties of shiitake. Lentinant stimulates the production of T-lymphocytes and macrophages that ingest foreign invaders.

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Some alcoholic drinks do contain a few nutrients (beer contains some b vitamins, red wine contains some iron, but spirits are totally nutrient-free); unlike fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, however, alcohol is not an essential part of our diet. At high levels of intake it has many drawbacks, both major and minor, including the short-term effects of intoxication, risk of accident, increased risk of some cancers, liver damage, weight gain and/or nutritional deficiencies, heart damage, and so on (see Alcohol Abuse, page 86).

Viral Immunity J. E. Williams, O.M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Most of the CoQIO in the body is biosynthesized within the cells in a complex process involving other nutrients, particularly the b vitamins, vitamin C, and trace minerals. Therefore, a healthy diet and a multivitamin and mineral supplement are important in maintaining sufficient levels of this important antioxidant. A foundational dosage of CoQIO is 30-90 mg, and the therapeutic range is between 100-300 mg. CoQIO is a pharmaceutically-produced substance and comes as a tablet or capsule. Since it is fat soluble, it absorbs best when taken with a fatty meal or with a little oil.

B6 works synergistically with other b vitamins and magnesium, but it is best absorbed when taken alone, with an additional B-complex or multivitamin taken at a different time. Dosages in excess of 2,000 mg, or long-term use of dosages of 500 mg, can lead to nerve damage, with symptoms of numbness and tingling in the hands and feet and a stumbling gait. Once discontinued, all symptoms clear without any lasting effects. Many of the same drugs that deplete B2 also lower B6 levels: conjugated estrogens (Premarin) and esterified estrogens (Estratab) deplete B6.

Since b vitamins are synergistic with each other, it is generally advised to take a B-complex or a multivitamin when using additional B vitamin supplementation. Vitamin B2: Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, is a member of a group of fluorescent yellow pigments called flavins. It is the substance that turns the urine bright yellow when you take extra B2. It acts as a coenzyme necessary for normal energy metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and it helps to activate vitamin B6 and convert niacin (B3) into a form more easily utilized by the body.

Urine that's dark yellow (not bright yellow, which is from b vitamins), cloudy, or frothy indicates excessive concentration and insufficient fluid. If you experience this during your detoxification, increase your water intake. If the urine continues to be a dark brownish-yellow color or has a strong odor, try the juices. If that is not enough to turn the urine to a clear color, add the diuretic herbal teas while increasing water intake until your urine becomes clear or a very light yellow and without any odor. Strategy #8.

It works synergisti-cally with vitamin E to prevent damage to lipid membranes and plasma lipids, and also with carnitine, lipoic acid, lycopene, magnesium, and b vitamins. Idebenone, a synthetic analog and newer form of CoQIO, is considered more easily absorbed than ubiquinone, making it more useful for older people; it is taken in the same dosages. However, it is difficult to obtain in the United States.

The Way of Herbs Michael Tierra See book keywords and concepts

Triphala, taken regularly, will promote absorption and utilization of the b vitamins and will completely relieve the symptoms of deficient heat. Triphala is very beneficial for creating a favorable chemical environment for the proliferation of beneficial intestinal bacteria and an unfavorable environment for nonbeneficial intestinal bacteria. Of primary importance is the use of triphala as a bowel regulator. It is considered as safe as food and is not habit forming, even when taken on a daily basis.

Foods That Fight Disease: A Simple Guide to Using and Understanding Phytonutrients to Protect and Enhance Your Health Laurie Deutsch Mozian, M.S., R.D. See book keywords and concepts

A good multivitamin and mineral with about 50 milligrams of the B-complex vitamins will ensure that you are getting an adequate supply of the b vitamins. If it does not provide 100 international units (IU) of vitamin E, use an additional supplement to reach that total. In a recent multicenter study, 1,200 milligrams of calcium carbonate eliminated the majority of premenstrual syndrome symptoms in 50 percent of 500 women. Many women found gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) in the form of borage oil, black currant oil, or evening primrose oil to be effective in helping to reduce symptoms of PMS.

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Barley Hordeum vulgare Common Names: Pearl barley, Prelate Parts Used: Seed (grain) Energy and Flavors: Neutral to cool energy, sweet flavor Systems Affected: Spleen-stomach, lungs, colon Biochemical Constituents: Proteins, prolamines, albumin, sugars, starch, fats, b vitamins. The germinated seeds contain alkaloids hordenine and gramine Properties: Nutrient, diuretic, demulcent Dose: Taken freely as food Used for: Colitis, swelling and tumors, jaundice Notes: Barley is used as a mucilaginous porridge during convalescence, diarrhea and bowel inflammation (colitis).

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