Brain Fog Solution

Vitamin B12 contains cobalt, and hence it’s other name, cobalamin. Like all the B vitamins, it plays many key roles in the body. It is required for energy production and red blood cell formation, as well as for proper nervous system development and maintenance. B12 has been shown to improve memory and promote a healthy heart, as well as to prevent infertility in men. It also works as a natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic, and is involved in immune function.

New research shows success with B12 and managing cancer, especially in blocking the development of tumors. It also helps to relieve fatigue, depression and poor concentration. It is associated with lower levels of homocysteine in the blood, which has been shown to be good for lowering the risk of heart disease and perhaps also that of Alzheimer’s.

B12 is also important in the production of myelin, the covering that insulates nerve fibers and keeps electrical impulses moving in your body.

Extra Vitamin B12 Requirements

Research shows that the elderly are often low in B12, either because of not getting enough in the diet or poor absorption. In fact, deficiencies are more likely to be associated with a failure to properly absorb B12, which can happen in the elderly as their digestion system functions less well. Long-term use of various drugs, including cholesterol-lowering drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs and oral contraceptives also seems to deplete body of Vitamin B12. This vitamin is largely supplied in animal foods, so vegetarians, especially vegans, often become deficient, although it does take a long time to deplete the B12 stores in the body.

Deficiency Symptoms of B12

Deficiency of B12 can result in pernicious anemia and various problems with your nervous system, such as memory loss, confusion, loss of balance, and more. Pernicious anemia is characterized by low energy levels, poor skin color, listlessness and being short of breath. Some other symptoms include heart palpitations, tinnitius, dizziness, poor resistance to infection and dementia . B12 deficiency has also been linked to multiple sclerosis-type symptoms, probably because of its function of helping to produce the myelin nerve sheaths. When B12 deficiency occurs over a long period of time, it can cause both nerve degeneration and irreversible neurological damage, so if you suspect a B12 deficiency, you want to have it checked right away.

Food Sources of Vitamin B12

B12 is found primarily in meat, eggs and dairy products. It can be found in seaweeds and algae, as well as in fermented soy products like miso, but studies have shown that the B12 in plant foods is just not a reliable source of B12. The best food sources of vitamin B12 are definitely all animal sources, which is why it is crucial that vegans supplement. Some of the best sources include seafood like cooked oysters, king crab, herring, salmon, and clams. It’s also found in cheese, poultry, yogurt, eggs, organ meats and nutritional yeast. If you decide to supplement, we recommend only a natural B complex source, especially over the long term, so as to avoid other problems with B vitamin imbalances.

Karen Pijuan
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/vitamin-b12-deficiency-often-seen-in-vegans-causes-low-energy-126289.html

Aging started on the minute that we were born.  Loving life and living it to the fullest is something that we should have done since the start. So how can we age with grace?

Exercise is something that we should to keep a body fit. It would also help us live a longer productive life.  As we grow older, the body functions start to slow down.  It is important to stay active.  Exercise also improves the cardiovascular system or our heart.  Exercise increases the heart rate and enable blood to flow smoothly to the heart.

For older adults there are low impact activities like walking, swimming, yoga at tai chi that can be done.  These trainings will reduce the risk of falls and fractures even increase endurance and boost bone density. 

The kind of activity that the person is doing is not only what is important.  Activities or exercise should be done at least once a week.  Research showed that participants aged 65 and older who exercised once a week reduced their risk of death by 40 percent compared to participants of the same age who did not exercise at all. 

Also changing the diet is very important in living a healthy aging life.  As people get older, there is a need for an increase level of certain nutrients.  Nutrient deficiency appears to increase with age.  Some nutrients that are lacking in older adults are folate; calcium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins D, E, B6, and C.  Aside from these lacking nutrients, older adults also lack iron, zinc, riboflavin, and vitamins A and B12.

To change diet, the first thing to do is plan.  Some people find it difficult to change their diet since they are used to unstable meal plans.  Eating three healthy meals daily would require diet and daily meal plan.  Diet for older people would require plenty of vegetables and fruits.  Fibers are also necessary to keep cholesterol and sugar level down.

Dehydration is also another problem for older people.  It is more difficult for them to know they are dehydrated because signals going to the brain signaling the need for water is no longer functioning properly.  While there are older people who reduce their water intake to avoid trips to the bathroom. 

Dehydration may lead to headaches, digestive problems, constipation and worse, kidney failure.  Water intake should not be less than eight glasses a day.  Take note of how much water you are taking in.  You can add a squeeze of lemon or a little club soda if you are getting tired of drinking just ordinary water. 

Not only our physicality is affected by aging but also out mental health.  There are older people who experience mild impairment of thinking and memory.  Because older people are no longer feeling or able to do the things that they were able to do before, many older adults become depressed. 

Some symptoms of depression for older adults are social withdrawal, decreased activity with no apparent physical cause, loss of interest or pleasure in things previously enjoyed, loss of appetite, loss of weight, restlessness and expressed feelings of worthlessness, such as being a burden or a bother. 

It is important these feelings. Being around with people like friends and family can definitely give support and security older adults are looking for.  To achieve healthy aging, it is important to have close relationships with others and participate in regular activities that give meaning and excitement to life. Try visiting friends, volunteering, maintaining some form of physical activity and increasing leisure time. 

Aging is inevitable â?? it happens to everybody.  But healthy aging is something you should and can do to embrace life to the fullest and show your next generation relatives how loving life should be done.

Joe Golson
http://www.articlesbase.com/anti-aging-articles/living-healthy-aging-and-still-loving-life-706897.html

Want an energy boost to your system that will not give you the jitters or keep you awake at night? Some herbs will boost your energy levels and are easy to add to your diet. Sometimes it is what you do NOT eat that gives you a boost in energy! So what are some alternatives to that third cup of Starbuck’s Coffee?

1. Digestive enzymes break down proteins, fats, carbohydrates and fiber making it possible to benefit from the nutrients found in those foods. Enzymes turn the food we eat into energy and unlock this energy for use in the body. Did you ever notice that children can eat a big meal and then go play, but adults who eat a big meal usually need a nap. By the time you hit forty you have lost most of your body’s natural ability to manufacture enzymes. You get tired because it takes a lot of energy to digest that meal. Where do we get enzymes from? There are two basic sources: The raw food we eat contains enzymes to help break down that particular piece of food. Our body also produces some enzymes. The two glands providing the majority of digestive chemicals utilized by the gastrointestinal tract are the liver and the pancreas. The more cooking and processing of food destroys all or most of the enzymes. The more diet consists of raw foods like salads, the more natural energy you will have. Since most of the foods we eat are cooked or heavily processed in some way and the raw foods we do eat contain only enough enzymes to process that particular food, our bodies must produce the majority of the digestive enzymes we require. Again, we also lose the ability to produce these enzymes after we reach forty. For these reasons it is recommended that we supplement our diet with enzymes. Many enzymes have also been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect which is a bonus.

2. Cayenne. There is no other herb which increases your blood flow faster than cayenne. Cayenne moves blood. It is a circulatory tonic and helps improve circulation. More blood means more oxygen racing through your body. This is just what your metabolism needed. Because it is a natural metabolism booster many diet supplements now add cayenne to their formulas. Cayenne also supports heart health, improves the immune system and is a huge aid to the digestive system.

3. Ginseng. Ginseng has long been used as a total systemic tonic. Ginseng is commonly used as an adaptogen, meaning it normalizes physical functioning depending on what the individual needs (for example, it will lower high blood pressure, but raise low blood pressure). It is also used to reduce the effects of stress, improve athletic performance, boost energy levels, enhance memory, and stimulate the immune system. Ginseng is known as a preventative herb as well as a curative herb. It is said to remove both mental and physical fatigue. Most people who use ginseng over a two to three month period experience a sense of well-being and stamina and say it improves both mental and physical performance. Ginseng has been said to improve erectile function, help relieve stress and help with stabilizing blood sugar levels for diabetics. It is a very common addition to any energy or diet product and comes in many shapes and forms. Like other herbs and supplements potency varies from product to product. I suggest always buying a fresh, reputable and potent brand.

4. 24 hour fast. The body spends up to one third of your energy on digestion and elimination. By avoiding solid food and only taking in liquids like water and fresh organic juices you give the body a break. It can now use some of its stored energy to fight disease and eliminate toxins in the body. By eliminating toxins the body is dumping them into the digestive tract to be eliminated. If the digestive tract (colon) is not clean and working well the toxins will just get reabsorbed into the bloodstream making you fell sick. If your colon is clean and you properly eliminate those toxins you get a general feeling of wellness, more energy and more mental clarity. Fasting, even just one day month will help eliminate salt and sugar cravings. After a fast you are usually hungry for food that has high nutrient content, like green vegetables..

Dr. Paul Bragg states: “… fasting is not a cure of any disease or ailment. The purpose of the fast is to allow the body full range and scope to fulfill its self-healing, self-repairing, self-rejuvenating functions to the best advantage. …Fasting is probably the fastest and safest way or means of regaining health ever conceived by the human man. … Fasting puts the body in a condition where all the Vital Force of the body is used to flush out the causes of body miseries.”

5. Colon and parasite cleanse. If you are over the age of thirty and have never done a colon cleanse you are in for a tremendous health boost. If you do your cleanse and eat a healthy diet with mostly fruits and vegetables and very little red meat or no meat at all you will feel lighter. You will focus easier. Your memory will improve and your energy will go up. You will just feel better over all. You have probably heard the saying that death begins in the colon. Well, good health and more energy also begin in the colon!

6. Superfoods. Superfoods are foods or food products that are high in nutrient density. Superfoods are usually green superfoods, high in both vitamins and minerals. Why are superfoods so important to natural energy levels?

One reason is that our soils are so depleted and over-farmed and we, as a country, elect to only replace the Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus. These are the macro nutrients our foods need but not the micro-nutrients (trace minerals) which are essential to our energy and immune systems. Superfoods usually contain sea minerals from Blue-Green Algae, Spirulina, Kelp and Chlorella and other mineral dense foods that help to ensure that we are getting all the nutrients our body needs to fight disease and not run out of gas.

Marty Meshek
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/top-six-natural-energy-boosters-90672.html

Goji Berries the latest discovery in the world of nutrition, are truly an amazing food. Extremely healthy and versatile, suits everybody’s needs and can be used by anybody.

Let us have a look at some of the benefits of Goji juice.

Boosts your immune system to fight diseases
Powerful antioxidant helping in fighting premature aging.
Regulates blood pressure
Regulates blood sugar at the initial stages of diabetes
Prevents DNA mutation, inhibits tumor growth and control peroxidation of lipids.
Positively affect vision and cardiac functions and also works wonders for headaches and insomnia.
Sexual health and fertility
Weight regulation
Improves dry cough
Improves digestive system and also improves memory.

Also

Improving of vision
Increased flexibility
Treating insomnia
Headache and muscle and joints pain
Better and focused memory
Better energy levels
Better stamina

We can get those amazing benefits from goji, in several various forms, due to the berry’s versatility. There is goji juice, dried gojies, goji tea, and various other goji applications.

Goji berries have also found use in skin-care products. Laboratory studies have shown its antioxidant properties as well as its effectiveness in increasing dermal hydroxyproline level in mice which can increase collagen synthesis improving skin quality.

It is also seen that Goji berries could also be prepared as tonic decoction which is wonderful for regulation of blood pressure and could also lower cholesterol levels.

The root bark of Goji berries is certainly bitter but has a very cooling, antibacterial effect. It can control cough and high fever. It can also lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol.

Goji berries could be taken internally and it can treat internal hemorrhages, chronic fevers, tuberculosis, nosebleeds, asthma, coughs and many other ailments. A goji ointment could also be applied externally in case of itching of genitals. The bark of Goji berries is generally harvested in the winter season and is then dried to be used for diuretic and purgative purposes.

Tea could also be prepared from the leaves of Goji berries which is quite nourishing. The family to which Goji berries belong produces other fruits and all of them boast of rich source of vitamins, minerals, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds. Generally fruits dont have essential fatty acids but Goji berries are exceptions in this case.

Also, goji berry makes an excellent ingredient in the kitchen! We can prepare lots of yummy recipes using gojies. Refreshing drinks and smoothies, sweet bread, healthy pies, delicious sauces.

So, we’ve seen the benefits, we know the various ways in which we can obtain them. Why not have a goji smoothie now?

Charles Kassotis
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/goji-berries-a-miracle-food-close-107315.html