Brain Fog Solution

There is a unique combination of vitamins, minerals and other healthy substances in each juice. You just need to know what juice to choose to treat your health problems.

Apple juice helps with obesity and diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, liver and kidney diseases, rheumatism, atherosclerosis, gallstones and kidney stones, chronic colitis, gout and dysentery. It is very good for people with high mental activity.

Apricot juice strengthens the heart muscles. Drinking it regularly will help with heart arrhythmia.

Beet juice is great for constipation, anemia and heart and alimentary canal diseases. It cleanses your body and lowers blood pressure. Start taking it in small doses (1 table spoon) or mix it with carrot juice. Gradually decrease the amount of carrot juice in the mix. Keep beet juice in your refrigerator for a few hours before drinking.

Black currant juice is great for lack of vitamins, anemia, gastritis with low acidity, bronchitis, flu and angina. It fights viruses, strengthens your immune system and is very rich in vitamin C.

Cabbage juice is used for gastritis with low acidity, stomach ulcers and liver and spleen diseases. It strengthens blood vessels; stimulates cell regeneration of the mucous membrane of the alimentary canal, returns fat metabolism back to normal and helps with healing sores.

Carrot juice improves vision, strengthens your body and helps you recover after severe disease or mental or physical exhaustion. It heals stomach ulcers and helps with anemia, cancer and tuberculosis. Carrot juice will increase your appetite and strengthen your teeth and your immune system.

Cherry juice helps with constipation, improves your metabolism, strengthens your immune system, increases your appetite and is used to clear your throat if you cough.

Cucumber juice returns blood pressure to normal and improves the health of your teeth, gums, nails and hair. It is used as a diuretic. A mix of cucumber juice and carrot juice will help with rheumatism and will prevent atherosclerosis and parodontosis. The mix will also improve your memory.

Grape juice helps with fatigue and stress. It cleanses kidneys and the liver and lowers cholesterol.

Grapefruit juice is a natural remedy for insomnia. It lowers cholesterol and returns your blood pressure to normal.

Orange juice is a powerful natural anti carcinogenic and anti cancerous remedy.

Peach juice strengthens heart muscles and cures heart arrhythmia. It helps with anemia and gastritis intensification.

Pear juice has anti inflammatory effect and helps with kidney stones.

Pineapple juice is good for the kidney and liver function and has bromelain that is a natural fat burner and helps to rejuvenate your body. Also, pineapple juice is recommended for treating angina.

Pomegranate juice is great for recovering after serious disease or surgery and helps with anemia.

Red currant juice is recommended for the cardiovascular system, ulcer, skin diseases, rheumatism, a cold, and gout and gravel disease.

Tomato juice is great for dieting and strengthens your immune system. It has minerals, micro elements and natural antioxidants vitamins A and C.

Watermelon juice is great with treating edemas connected to cardiovascular and kidney problems.

Yulia Berry
http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/fruit-and-vegetable-juices-an-alternative-to-pills-92608.html

Nutritional supplements are one of the important things we can do for the overall health of our mind and body. Ideally, the sources of vitamins, minerals and nutrients are the food we take but sometimes due to faulty eating habits and improper diet there arises some gap in our nutritional requirements. We must know the role of nutrition in our proper health. Basically nutrition refers to the nurturing of our body, in our ability to keep it healthy and functioning as it is supposed to do. So it is very essential to take care that our nutritional requirements are properly fulfilled.

Also due to modern processing and farming methods, foods that should be high in certain nutrients no longer are. Another culprit in the nutrition depletion of foods is our food cooking and preparation. Like these there are many other factors contributing to the poor nutrient content of our foods.

Few latest researches have reported that due to environmental stress there is an extra burden on our immune systems. The best way to counter the stress on our body’s health caused by all of these toxins and such is to support our body with proper nutrition. Since our foods are nutrient depleted, the only way to properly support our health is through nutritional supplements.

Others have turned to nutritional supplements in order to enhance everything from their workout regimes to their memory and mental functions. Taking vitamins and other nutritional supplements is a good way to be certain we get all the proper vitamins and minerals you need daily.

If youâ??re still uncertain as to whether you should take a nutritional supplement each day, ask for your doctorâ??s advice. This is particularly true if youâ??re on any prescribed medications. It is possible for some supplements to decrease the efficiency of some prescribed medicines and to interact with them, causing unwanted side effects.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Copyright © Nick Mutt, All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.

Nick Mutt
http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/do-you-know-the-benefits-of-nutritional-supplements-144302.html

Depression is a mood disorder that ranges from mild to severe. All of us have experienced a form of depression at some time in our lives. It can accompany loss, stress, unresolved anger, fear, shame, disappointment and other emotional dynamics that are a part of our life situation. Depression is experienced by children, adults, and elderly regardless of economic status, gender, or culture. Depression affects physical health, relationships, awareness, weight, memory, decision making ability, energy level, interest, and sleep. In addition to emotional experience, depression can result from diet, nutrition, and other physical biochemical origins.

In severe, special cases of depression associated with extreme mental disorder, synthetic, chemical based drugs called antidepressants are required and necessary for relief of depression. However, most of us do not fall into this category and too often these synthetic antidepressants are prescribed for us who suffer from common daily disappointments in our lives. For most common experiences of depression, antidepressants are not often necessary. Synthetic Antidepressants have been known to have some harmful side effects, prompting the FDA to recommend that manufacturers add this warning label to their products: “Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in short-term studies in children and adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of {insert established name} or any other antidepressant in a child or adolescent must balance this risk with the clinical need. Patients who are started on therapy should be observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidalty, or unusual changes in behavior”.

This is not to suggest that ignoring the feelings of depression will make the feelings go away. Since depression can have physical biochemical origin and depression from emotional stress can cause biochemical change in the body, it would follow that common, not severe, depression would respond to clinically proven all natural remedies as vitamins, herbs, supplements, minerals, amino acids, aromatherapy, and all natural formulas designed to relieve the pain of depression. Other treatments e.g. psychotherapy, exercise, acupuncture, yoga, meditation also aid in the natural relief of depression.

Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals can trigger depression as well as depression decreasing the availability of vitamins and minerals essential for the maintaining our body’s health. These vitamins and minerals include vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin C, magnesium, calcium and trace minerals. Supplementing our bodies with these vitamins and minerals can relieve and perhaps prevent depression as well as greatly improving our health generally.

Adding amino acids to our diets can go a long way in relieving depression and promoting general health. For example, SAMe (S-Adensoyl-L-Methionine) is an amino acid that can be found in all cells of our body. It is a natural antidepressant that has additional value of protecting the liver and cardiovascular system, synthesis of natural melatonin that assists sleeping well. Phenylalanine is another amino acid that makes the neurotransmitter, i.e. substance that conducts messages to and within the brain, norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is diminished in the brains of people who are depressed. The amino acid L-Theanine naturally reduces anxiety associated with depression and is not addictive or habit forming. Another amino acid that naturally relieves depression and stimulates alertness is L-Tyrosine.

5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophane) is a naturally occurs in our bodies and helps the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Adequate amounts of serotonin is vital for a feeling and sense of emotional well being. 5-HTP can cross the blood brain barrier which makes it unique in the facilitation of serotonin. 5-HTP has gained a great reputation in the natural treatment of insomnia, depression and obesity.

For many people who suffer common depression, a effectively created herbal formula is very beneficial for the natural relief of depression. St. John’s wort (hypericum perforaturn), commonly referred to as “Nature’s Prozac”, helps naturally relieve mild or moderate depression, stress, anxiety, and tension. Gingo biloba is used as an alternative treatment for moderate depression in elderly people because depression is an early sign of cognitive decline or cerebrovascular deficiency. Valerian root has a natural calming effect for anxiety and depression. Passionflower is an efficient natural sedative for calming and sleeping well. Black Cohosh, used by early Native Americans, soothes the body and reduces spasm. These are just a few of the examples of herbs and herbal formula that treat moderate depression effectively and naturally.

Hormonal imbalance can lead to moderate depression. A common treatment is natural progesterone for women. Other natural substances help balance hormones e.g. flax oil, black cohosh, dimpro, promensil, essential fatty acids, red clover, virtex berry and many other naturally derived supplements.

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils and other natural aromatic compounds from plants to effect emotional and physical health The oils are referred to as “essential” because they are the “essence” of the plant. Olfactory sense has a powerful effect on our emotional and physical health. Aromatherapy can be used to alter mood, inspire confidence, ease moderate depression, and increase energetic feeling. In some nations essential oils are used for their antiseptic qualities to treat infection. In France, many aromatherapy essential oils are perceived in a similar way as prescription drugs are in the United States. Aromatherapy comes in many forms, e.g. essential oil, mists, sticks, candles, infusions, massage creams and oils, mineral bath formulas, and absolutes.

One on the most popular aromatherapy aromas is lavender. Lavender essential oil has a calming scent which makes it an excellent tonic for the nerves and helps in treating migraines, headaches, anxiety, depression, nervous tension and emotional stress. Its refreshing aroma removes nervous exhaustion and restlessness and increases mental activity. Lavender essential oil induces sleep and hence it is often recommended for insomnia. Lavender essential oil is also an excellent remedy for various types of pains including those caused by sore muscles, tense muscles, muscular aches, rheumatism, sprains, backache and lumbago.

In summary, many of us suffer mild to moderate depression for a variety of reasons. Our experience of depression is not so severe or of long duration to justify the use of powerful synthetic prescription drugs or antidepressant drugs with their potential of hazardous, harmful physical and behavioral side effects. We have available to us, a vast variety of effective, efficient, all natural vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, aromatherapy, hormonal balancers, and other safe natural modalities for relieving mild to moderate depression.

Jennifer Kays
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-to-relieve-depression-naturally-210518.html

Those who read the story of Daniel Tammet, a few years ago, were totally stunned. We watched in jaw-dropping astonishment as Daniel Tammet calculated to the hundredth decimal, all in his mind and within a few seconds. Incredibly, he can also learn a new language in just one week. Scientists believe that once they understand how to tap the right resources in our brain, not just Daniel Tammet, but all of us would be able to perform these amazing brain theatricals.

But for mortals like us who struggle with â??senior momentsâ? even at the age of 35, scientists have hope for us yet. Yes! Itâ??s all to do with brain foodsâ??the right nutrients that can power the brain to perform optimally supporting cognitive, motor, memory and mood functionsâ??even if we never reach genius proportions, a well-versed brain is quite a feat in itself.

Eat More Brain Vitamins
Medical evidence strongly suggests that those who pay attention to a healthy diet and regular exercise give their bodies an advantage and may enjoy physical and mental wellbeing well into their senior years. While the brain weighs just about 2 pounds, it uses up 20 percent of our bodyâ??s oxygen supply so keeping the brain oxygenated through proper circulation is vital to brain health.

In addition to good nutrition and exercise, our brains need to be sharpened by mental workouts, just like our muscles need toning and firming for optimal performance. Conversely, poor nutrition (vitamin deficiencies), certain medications, decreased physical activity, even trauma and stress may negatively affect the performance of the brain.

What kind of brain nutrients should you eat? Hereâ??s a list of essential vitamins, botanicals, antioxidants and nutrients that you should add to your diet for sustaining brain power:

Vitamin B12
Did you know that your brain shrinks as you age? Vitamin B12 is believed to help protect the brain against this age-related atrophy. It also plays an important role in maintaining healthy functions of the brain and nervous system. Vitamin B12 is needed for the formation of new blood cells.

Vitamin B12 deficiencies have been linked to brain atrophy and impaired cognitive brain functions. B12 is found in meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk and milk products in good concentrations. Fortified breakfast cereals can also be a good source for B12. Those on purely vegetarian and vegan diets and the elderly are more susceptible to vitamin B12 deficiencies.

Citicoline
Citicoline is a form of Choline, a recent addition to the Vitamin B family. Cognizin® is a proprietary compound of Citicoline. It helps neurons to produce energy in the brain. Choline supports cognitive brain functions and the retention of memory. It promotes cell to cell communication and healthy brain aging. Almonds, asparagus, eggs, navy beans are natural sources of choline.

Huperzine A
Huperzine A is an antioxidant that works as a neuroprotective agent. It is believed to help sharpen memory skills and support cognitive functions of the brain. Huperzine is derived from medicinal plants and has been traditionally used in China for centuries.

Vinpocetine
Vinpocetine is a nutrient derived from the periwinkle plant. It supports the retention of memory, cognitive performance, mental sharpness and alertness. Is promotes cerebral circulation thereby keeping the brain oxygenated. It is used extensively in Europe.

Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid that is present in the brain. It helps to support memory, concentration, learning, and protect against age-related moodiness.

Blueberry Extract
Blueberries contain powerful antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which help to protect cells from degeneration. Antioxidants support brain health at the basic cellular level. Blueberries support motor skills, coordination and balance.

It is noted that people who take a proactive approach to health are agile and are able to retain mental sharpness even as they advance in age. A healthy diet, regular physical exercise and mental workouts along with brain vitamins like Memory Matrix containing memory-specific nutrients can help support mental acuity, coordination and general cerebral health.

Kevin Agrawal
http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/vitamins-for-brain-health-961729.html

No matter in what profession you are, or what your social status is, you ought to have a good memory to do anything in your life. There is no one out there who would not want to improve their memory and there are so many people out there who would literally do anything and everything to improve their memory.

People so often try out the memory supplements found in the drug stores to find a solution to their degrading memory. They also try out vitamins and other commercial medicines which can improve their memory. There are some vitamins and supplements like vitamin B, a fatty acid called omega 3 and antioxidants have been a successful cure to memory loss. But question arises when; the supplements that you are taking are not enough?

There are actually some ways that can complement your medicines to improve your memory. Strong focus and high concentration can help you a great deal in improving your memory. When you are not paying any attention to the information that comes your way then you are not likely to put the information in the long term memory. This can be a real problem for those people who are dealing with a high level of stress, tension, insomnia or the people who are a victim of attention deficit disorder (ADD).

You will find a few stimulants that have been proven to be very effective in improving the concentration level. There is a drug known as Ritalin which helps in increasing the brain activity and thereby help them by improving their mental focus. They do so by increasing the stimulus in the central nervous system and managing the chemicals in the right way. Amphetamines are another stimulant that is often used to improve the concentration. They are a good memory increasing agent if you use them in a proper way. You have to use it very carefully as amphetamines are highly addictive.

There are also some modern medications that can prevent your brain from Alzheimerâ??s disease. This is a serious disease that affects every single part of your brain.

Be careful about all those cons out there trying to sell you their new memory improving pills and tonics as most of them are harmful to your health and useless as far as the memory improving is concerned. Try to have good nutrition, enough rest and lead a stress free life as it can go a long way in improving the memory.

kayes
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/ways-to-improve-memory-726632.html

No matter in what profession you are, or what your social status is, you ought to have a good memory to do anything in your life. There is no one out there who would not want to improve their memory and there are so many people out there who would literally do anything and everything to improve their memory.

People so often try out the memory supplements found in the drug stores to find a solution to their degrading memory. They also try out vitamins and other commercial medicines which can improve their memory. There are some vitamins and supplements like vitamin B, a fatty acid called omega 3 and antioxidants have been a successful cure to memory loss. But question arises when; the supplements that you are taking are not enough?

There are actually some ways that can complement your medicines to improve your memory. Strong focus and high concentration can help you a great deal in improving your memory. When you are not paying any attention to the information that comes your way then you are not likely to put the information in the long term memory. This can be a real problem for those people who are dealing with a high level of stress, tension, insomnia or the people who are a victim of attention deficit disorder (ADD).

You will find a few stimulants that have been proven to be very effective in improving the concentration level. There is a drug known as Ritalin which helps in increasing the brain activity and thereby help them by improving their mental focus. They do so by increasing the stimulus in the central nervous system and managing the chemicals in the right way. Amphetamines are another stimulant that is often used to improve the concentration. They are a good memory increasing agent if you use them in a proper way. You have to use it very carefully as amphetamines are highly addictive.

There are also some modern medications that can prevent your brain from Alzheimerâ??s disease. This is a serious disease that affects every single part of your brain.

Be careful about all those cons out there trying to sell you their new memory improving pills and tonics as most of them are harmful to your health and useless as far as the memory improving is concerned. Try to have good nutrition, enough rest and lead a stress free life as it can go a long way in improving the memory.

kayes
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/ways-to-improve-memory-726632.html

So much is written about arthritis and you can get confused as to what causes arthritis and what arthritis treatments are effective. Arthritis is an inflammatory condition. This inflammation comes from infections. Infections come from a variety of conditions such as:

Bacteria, viruses, pathogens, yeast that you ingest or that is already in your body

Air pollution from cars or from your work environment

Un-natural food that you eat that is processed or irradiated

Food additives such as dyes, colorings, preservatives, enhancers, gases, sugar

Contaminants in your water such as fluoride, chloride and other substances

Stress from your work and home life

This small list gives you an idea of the many chemicals and emotional sources that can lead to infections in the body and result in arthritis. You can see that all of these sources are part of your regular diet and lifestyle. Now if you couple this with a weak immune system, you set the stage for some serious arthritis conditions. A weak immune system can not control and eliminate these infections so these infections can turn into serious inflammations.

Because of toxins and infections, there are very few people that will escape developing arthritis in their life time.

But for those of you that are health conscious and look to prevent various illnesses, here are some arthritis treatments and arthritis preventive measures.

Arthritis Treatment

The first step you need to take is to take daily antioxidants. You get antioxidants in the deep dark red, blue, black berries and other fruits. Pomegranate juice is one of the most powerful antioxidant juices and provides arthritis protection. Recently I have been using Purity Products Super Reds and New Vitality’s Ruby Reds Powder. I put one scoop of powder in some apple juice or other juice and add a dropper full of green tree extract. This gives me a high dose of antioxidants to fight off the heavy dose of free radicals that I consume from the air, food, and thought. Remember free radicals attack tissue causing infections and inflammation in every part of your body.

These powders great taste and are good for the kids in the morning.

So now, if you add juicing to your morning habit, you will be adding high levels of antioxidants and in addition many minerals and vitamins that buildup your immune system. Use pineapple, alfalfa sprouts, and cantaloupe, apricot, cabbage, and cucumber juices. And, you can add a bit of ginger juice to gives you anti-inflammatory protection.

In a recent article, I wrote about Lion’s Mane. Here you have a powerful immune system enhancer. It contains 3 Chinese mushrooms - Lion’s Mane, Maitake, Reishi -that will buildup your immune system and in addition improve your memory. I have been using this for only a week and I can sense a slight improvement in my memory and how quickly words come into my thought as I express myself. Build up your immune system and this is a powerful arthritis treatment. You body will be able to fight of toxic matter and at the same time protect your joints from infection and inflammation.

This is just a start in dealing with pain and inflammation wherever it maybe in your body - in your joints, organs, or tissues. Use antioxidants and red powders to prevent inflammation. Use juices to give you minerals and vitamins to help improve your immune system. And then give yourself a powerful immune stimulator by take Lion’s Mane. Now you have an arthritis treatment that can start protecting your joints and other parts of your body from arthritic infection and inflammation.

Rudy Silva
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/arthritis-treatment-using-natural-remedies-102590.html

Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble crystalline compound that contains phosphorus, nitrogen, and cobalt. The latter gives it a rich red color. It is heat stable in neutral solutions, but it is destroyed by heat in both acid and alkaline mediums. It is also sensitive to light and is destroyed by heavy metals and strong oxidizing and reducing agents.

Vitamin B-12 is the most complex compound of the vitamins. Its chemical symbol is C63H90CON14O14P. It contains one cobalt atom that is similar in structure to the position of iron in hemoglobin. B12 is the only naturally occurring organic compound that contains cobalt. The commercially available form of Vitamin B-12 is Cyanocobalamin.

It helps activate amino acids during protein formation and in the anaerobic degradation of the amino acid lysine. The coenzyme of cobalamin is a carrier of methyl groups and hydrogen, and is necessary for carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism.

Cobalamin also provides important protection of the heart by way of its methyl transfer role. It is active in the synthesis of the amino acid methionine from its precursor, homocysteine. The synthesis occurs by first removing a methyl group from methyl folate, a derivative of the biologically active form of folic acid. This methyl group is then transferred to homocysteine and methionine is formed. It has been recently acknowledged that excess homocysteine in the blood is the cause of heart disease, blood clots, stroke and gangrene. Therefore, the understanding of this complementary action between B-12 and folic acid is a significant addition to our arsenal of weapons for the fight against heart disease. It is important to note that adequate amounts of both vitamin B12 and folic acid are necessary for methionine synthesis to take place. You can say keeping homocysteine levels low is a matter of life and death.

Methionine is essential for choline synthesis; therefore, vitamin B12 plays a secondary role in this lipid pathway. A choline deficiency that causes fatty liver can be prevented by cobalamin or the other methyl donors (betaine, methionine, folic acid).

It has been observed that fatty acid synthesis is impaired when this B vitamin is deficient. A lack of sufficient essential fatty acids results in impairment of brain and nerve tissue. The myelin sheath (the insulation around nerve cells) is malformed in a cobalamin deficiency and contributes to faulty nerve transmission. A prolonged B12 deficiency will ultimately lead to neurological disturbances.

DNA replication is dependent on the function of coenzyme cobalamin as a methyl group carrier. It is this role that explains why a deficiency of B-12 leads to megaloblastic anemia. This disorder is characterized by large immature blood cells and changes in bone marrow. Inadequate DNA translation leading to improper cell replication results in the large blood cells observed in this disorder. These large misshapen red blood cells are unable to transport oxygen. This results in anemia, leukopenia, thrombopenia and fewer, but larger and less mature, blood cells. Poor cell division in the gastrointestinal tract and epithelial tissues produces glossitis and megaloblastosis. Furthermore, general growth and repair are likewise impaired.

The characteristic symptom of a severe deficiency of this B vitamin is pernicious or megaloblastic anemia. This condition is most often caused by either inadequate consumption of B-12 or by a reduced gastric secretion of a mucoprotein called intrinsic factor. This intrinsic factor is necessary for proper vitamin B12 absorption through the intestinal tract. It is produced by the parietal cells of the stomach and binds onto the vitamin to transport it into the small intestine. In the presence of calcium, this transport mechanism attaches to the intestinal wall, facilitating absorption of the vitamin.

Pernicious anemia can also result from several other conditions, including:

Gastrectomy (surgical removal of the stomach)
Surgical removal of the lower ileum (were B vitamins are absorbed)
Developing antibodies to intrinsic factor
Hereditary malabsorption
Strict vegetarianism (absence of animal products in diet)
Homocystinuria (characterized by large amounts of homocysteine in the urine)

We now know that a deficiency of B vitamins (B6, Folic Acid & B-12) is the trigger for heart disease. This occurs when homocysteine levels rise unchecked by sufficient blood levels of these three B vitamins. There is good news in this message. Now, we know how to prevent heart disease and have a longer healthier life.

Too much homocysteine in the blood damages arteries and blood vessels causing the formation of arterial plaques. This results in arteriosclerosis and heart disease.

Other deficiency symptoms include glossitis, degeneration of the spinal cord, loss of appetite, gastrointestinal disturbances, fatigue, pallor, dizziness, hypotension, disorientation, numbness, tingling, ataxia, moodiness, confusion, agitation, dimmed vision, delusions, hallucinations, and eventually, “megaloblastic madness” (psychosis).

A long-term marginal b-12 deficiency has been associated with increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It has been found that over 70% of older persons having a B-12 deficiency also have Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s patients also exhibit lower blood levels of this B vitamin than patients who suffer from other brain or memory disorders. B-12 status correlates with the severity of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s patients. It is presently unknown whether the deficiency is a cause or result of the disease. However, cobalamin functions in numerous metabolic processes that affect nerve tissue. These processes include the synthesis of neurotransmitters and phospholipids which may explain B-12’s possible link with the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Symptoms of Vitamin B-12 deficiency are most commonly found in people over the age of 40 with increasing occurrences as age increased and is often a result of the reduced secretion of intrinsic factor. This condition is corrected with B-12 injections. Patients suffering form dementia often exhibit a deficiency of this B vitamin and supplementation improves mental functioning in some of these cases.

Vitamin B-12 absorption can be inhibited by many gastrointestinal disorders including, gluten-induced enteropathy, tropical sprue, regional ileitis, malignancies, and granulomatous lesions in the small intestine, tapeworm, bacteria associated with blind loop syndrome, and other disorders that impair the proper intestinal function. The need for B12 intake is increased by hyperthyroidism, parasitism and pregnancy.

The only source of vitamin B-12 in nature is microbial synthesis. Cobalamin is not found in plants, but is produced by bacteria in the digestive tract of animals or by microbial fermentation of foods.

Sources containing more than 10mcg/100 grams are organ meats (liver, kidney, heart), clams, and oysters. Good sources (3 to 10mcg/100 grams) are nonfat dry milk, crab, salmon, sardines, and egg yolk. Moderate amounts (1 to 3 mcg/100 grams) are meat, lobster, scallops, flounder, swordfish, tuna and fermented cheese. Other sources are fermented soybean products, poultry, and liquid milk products.

Because cobalamin is affected by temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius, some or all of this B vitamin is lost when meat is cooked.

The minimum daily requirement for B12 can be exceeded by ten thousand fold with no signs of toxicity. Excesses are excreted in the urine.

Many of the tests available to assess cobalamin deficiency have limitations and can give false results. For example, the MCV test (macrocytosis test) is not a sensitive test. Several conditions such as folacin deficiency, vitamin C supplementation, and antibiotics can result in high or low levels of B-12 being indicated in the essay. The Schilling test can give both false abnormal and false normal readings. Vitamin B-12 deficiency detection requires multiple testing methods and the patient’s symptoms being used in combination to diagnose.

References:

Garrison Jr., R.PH., Robert & Somer, M.A., R.D., Elizabeth, The Nutrition Desk Reference, 3rd ed., New Canaan: Keats Publishing, 1999,
pp 124-128, 431, 434
McCully, M.D., Kilmer S. & McCully, Martha, The Heart Revolution, New York: Harper Perennial, 1999, pp 1-10

Tom Nuckels
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/vitamin-b12–cobalamin-105581.html

Your body is your temple, and what you give it nutritionally can have a vast impact on your health. As the body ages, many changes take place, and by taking in the proper vitamins and minerals, you can minimize the negative health effects that you experience as you grow older. In this article, we’ll mention some of the important nutrients that one needs to intake as they age to help keep in proper health.

As you age, your body’s ability to properly process the vitamins that you eat decreases. For that reason, it is important to increase the amounts of vitamins that you intake. Since osteoporosis occurs in those of an older age, it is of the utmost importance to ensure that your body gets enough Vitamin D. While those in their twenties only need to take in 200 IUs of Vitamin D per day, those aged 60 and above are recommended to take in about 600 IUs. The B-Vitamin Complex is also an important vitamin that our body loses the ability to process over time. A lack of B vitamins can lead to a risk for heart disease and possible memory loss, and for that reason, those of an older age need to make sure that they get all the B vitamins that they can get. Calcium is also a particularly important nutrient when it comes to aging; along with Vitamin D, it helps the bones to mineralize properly, warding off the effects of osteoporosis.

When it comes to actual foods that you should eat to avoid aging significantly, a diet that is high in both fruits and vegetables is recommended. Those who indulge in these types of foods often are found to have lower rates of disease as well as higher levels of energy and a healthier appearance. There are many reasons that these types of foods are recommended; most fruits and vegetables have no cholesterol, fat, or sodium, which are three harmful compounds that have a negative effect on health. In addition to the lack of bad substances found in fruits and vegetables, they are also rich in the vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Practically every essential vitamin and mineral can be found throughout the fruit and vegetable world, and a minimum of five fruits and vegetables per day are recommended by the National Cancer Institute.

Anti-oxidants are also important when it comes to aging; this type of compound is useful in the way that it helps the body to protect itself against the harmful effects of free radicals, which are rogue cells that attack the cell membranes of your body, causing premature cell death. Many fruits and vegetables include anti-oxidants, including carrots and tomatoes.

Following these basic principles is a great way to get your health on track as you age, helping you to ensure that you will live a healthy life.

Jonathon Hardcastle
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/anti-aging-nutrition-63709.html

While you are dieting, your brain cells try to save energy and you unintentionally want to avoid any stress, including strong positive emotions, like joy, happiness, ecstasy, etc. If your brain cells do not get optimal nutrition, they grow old and do not work properly. What kind of food can make us happy?

Getting vitamins is very important. Stress weakens your immune system; free radicals attack your cells, etc… If you feel that life is just a joyless struggle to survive, you need to increase the amount of vitamin B you get. This vitamin is responsible for the formation of lecithin, which is very important nourishment for your nervous system. You can get it with sunflower seeds, citrus fruits, bananas, 4-5 eggs a week, poultry, beans, whole grains, oatmeal, fish, sea food and nuts.

Vitamins B and C support cells, vitamins A and E protect them and glucose is a source of nourishment for your cells. That is why we want some sweets when we are tired. If your blood sugar is low, you become annoyed and aggressive. It does not mean you have to eat cake and chocolate right away. You will have energy in the morning, if you eat a dinner that has 70% protein. The right foods for your dinner are meat, fish, sea food, chicken, turkey, eggs, cottage cheese, vegetables and fruits. Exclude potatoes or boiled vegetables.

If you have a weak nervous system, you should not eat food rich in carbohydrates, like pasta, sugar, pizza, sweets, bread, French fries and canned food. You will get a lot of glucose with these kinds of food, but its concentration in your blood drops fast because of an insulin effect. As soon as it happens, you will get annoyed and nervous. To feel better you need another portion of glucose. It becomes a vicious circle where your sugar increases and drops down all the time. It is harmful for your body, your cells and your pancreas.

Feed your stress right. Mint tea is very good in calming your stress and relaxing you. Cabbage will decrease the activity of your thyroid gland. Strawberries will help with your mood. Bananas are rich in serotonin which is the so-called ‘hormone of joy’.

Are you stressed about a public speech, taking an exam or having an important interview? If you need more confidence and if you need to memorize a lot of information, you have to get more vitamin C. The sources of this vitamin are lemons, oranges, pineapples, cantaloupe, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli and cabbage. Eating grated carrots with vegetable oil or sour cream will also help your memory.

If you eat a half of avocado every day, your brain will work better. Sea food and fish have substances your brain cells need for intense work. Yogurt with live bacteria will help your cell metabolism.

Garlic has substances that boost your brain activity and improve your memory. You need to eat it regularly. Lentil helps with your brain clarity and speeds up your thinking.

If you need to get better focus on what you are doing, you should eat blueberries, oranges and pineapples. Brussel sprouts help your concentration. Onions promote blood thinning which improves blood circulation and provides oxygen to your brain.You need to eat ½ onion every day.

Boost your creativity. If you need to be creative at work and you cannot think clearly, eat peanuts or figs. You can also drink caraway tea: put 2 table spoons of caraway seeds in 1 glass of boiling water. Caraway seeds are rich in essential oils that will boost your brain activity.

Yulia Berry
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/do-you-believe-that-a-good-tasty-lunch-can-make-you-happy-92627.html