Tag: vitamin b-12

What is vitamin B12?

Vitamin B 12 helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells [1-4]. It is also needed to help make DNA, the genetic material in all cells. Vitamin B 12 is also called cobalamin because it contains the metal cobalt [1-4].

Vitamin B 12 is bound to the protein in food. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach releases vitamin B12 from proteins in foods during digestion. Once released, vitamin B12 combines with a substance called intrinsic factor (IF). This complex can then be absorbed by the intestinal tract.

How can I get vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 is naturally found in foods that come from animals, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products. Fortified breakfast cereals are a particularly valuable source of vitamin B12 for vegetarians.

Recommendations for vitamin B12 are provided in the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) developed by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies [5]. Dietary Reference Intakes is the general term for a set of reference values used for planning and assessing nutrient intake for healthy people.

A deficiency may occur as a result of an inability to absorb vitamin B 12 from food and in strict vegetarians who do not consume any foods that come from animals [6]. As a general rule, most individuals who develop a vitamin B12 deficiency have an underlying stomach or intestinal disorder that limits the absorption of vitamin B 12 [7]. Sometimes the only symptom of these intestinal disorders is subtly reduced cognitive function resulting from early vitamin B12 deficiency.

We need Vitamin B-12 in a form that is readily usable by the body. Vitamin B-12 deficiency is the most common vitamin deficiency in people over 50. Vitamin B-12 deficiency may cause everything from fatigue and grumpiness, to mental confusion and mental exhaustion. Anemia and dementia may follow later.

Caution: Folic Acid and vitamin B12 deficiency

Folic acid can correct the anemia that is caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. Unfortunately, folic acid will not correct the nerve damage also caused by vitamin B12 deficiency [1,9]. Permanent nerve damage can occur if vitamin B12 deficiency is not treated. Folic acid intake from food and supplements should not exceed 1,000 ?g daily in healthy individuals because large amounts of folic acid can trigger the damaging effects of vitamin B12 deficiency [5]. Adults older than 50 years who take a folic acid supplement should ask their physician or qualified health care provider about their need for additional vitamin B12.

Before taking any dietary supplement, you should talk to a health care professional or doctor. The information in this article is just to inform people of the health risks related to vitamin B12 deficiency. Although my information comes from reliable sources, it’s up to the reader to verify this information.

Wouldn’t you like to recapture the energetic feeling of your youth? Now, with the help of B-12, B-6 & Folic acid, you can.

Why are B vitamins so essential to brain function? That’s because our brains must have them to function properly. Our B reserves become depleted when we age, resulting in premature aging and greater susceptibility to sickness.

Adding a supplement of vitamin B 12 to your diet as more tremendous advantages, and very few disadvantages.

Find Vitamin B 12 and other great supplements at My TriVita Business Site.

References:

1. Herbert V. Vitamin B12 in Present Knowledge in Nutrition. 17th ed. Washington, D.C.: International Life Sciences Institute Press, 1996.
2. Herbert V and Das K. Vitamin B12 in Modern Nutrition in health and disease. 8th ed. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1994.
3. Combs G. Vitamin B12 in The Vitamins. New York: Academic Press, Inc, 1992.
4. Zittoun J and Zittoun R. Modern clinical testing strategies in cobalamin and folate deficiency. Sem Hematol 1999;36:35-46.
5. Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, biotin, and choline. National Academy Press. Washington, DC, 1998.
6. Markle HV. Cobalamin. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 1996;33:247-356.
7. Carmel R. Cobalamin, the stomach, and aging. Am J Clin Nutr 1997;66:750-9.
8. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitaminb12.asp#reviewers
9. Chanarin I. Adverse effects of increased dietary folate. Relation to measures to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects. Clin Invest Med 1994;17:244-52.

A lot of doctors recommend vitamin b12 shots over other oral tablets. However, TriVita’s patented sublingual vitamin B12 may provide the proper supply of this all important vitamin.

Why is vitamin b12 necessary? According to a web site that’s promoting b12 shots, “vitamin B12 shots are designed to provide the user with a boost in energy and a prolonged source of energy to use during the day. There are some advantages to getting Vitamin B12 supplements in the form of B12 injections. Because the vitamin is absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream this way, B12 injections can provide a quick energy boost. Many people who get vitamin B12 injections notice an improvement in their energy level within a few days, if not sooner. In addition to feeling more energy, the shots can be effective in terms of clearer skin, better sleep, improved memory, and feeling less stressed. The fact is that Vitamin B12 is a micro nutrient that is used in the process of energy release. Without the presence of Vitamin B12 you could not burn calories and your energy would not be released.” [1]

As you can see from the quote above, vitamin b12 is not just a quick energy booster, it produces a lot of other effective results. Before we get into the positive results, let’s take a look at what your body may have to deal with if you are vitamin b12 deficient.

The most severe case of vitamin b12 deficiency (your body does not have enough of this vitamin) is anemia, which means you do not have enough red blood cells to do the job which can leave you feeling week and tired. Typically, vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is not diagnosed until it is moderate to severe.

Some symptoms of vitamin b12 deficiency include:

• Feeling week, tired or lightheaded
• Memory loss and or disorientation
• Having pale skin, or white spots on the skin, resulting from melatonin becoming absent in the area
• Have a sore, red or itchy tongue. Some may experience sores at the corners of the mouth. These are raw spots, not blisters, and they tend to come and go
• Numbness or tingling in your fingers and or toes
• Sharp stabbing pain in the palm of one or both hands
• Eye twitch, usually in one eye or the other. It can occur on the eyelid or just below
• Depression [1]

A simple blood test can determine if you are vitamin b12 deficient. And once the diagnosis has been completed, there are two ways to treat the deficiency: 1.) get b12 shots; 2.) take TriVita’s sublingual B12. If you’re into doctors and needles, shots may be right for you. If you’d prefer an easier method, try TriVita’s sublingual B12 tablets. These tablets dissolve under your tongue, and have patented delivery system.

Dr. Alfred Libby, M.D., a renowned authority on therapeutic nutrition and longtime associate of Nobel Prize Laureate, Dr. Linus Pauling, began to explore an alternative delivery system for Vitamin B-12. The goal was to bypass the stomach where this essential nutrient is not easily absorbed.

In early spring of 1980, Dr. Libby approached his colleagues with his new theory that B-12 could be delivered to the bloodstream sublingually (under the tongue). Biochemists and his medical colleagues were quick to dismiss the idea. However, he was persistent and they eventually decided to give his theory a try, although they were convinced it would fail.

Six weeks later the first clinical trial was underway. Shortly after, Dr. Libby’s sublingual B-12 invention was deemed a complete success – blood levels of B-12 increased from 1.2% to over 90%! In fact, Dr. Libby’s patented sublingual delivery method is able to deliver up to 98% absorption where oral tablets have as little as 2%.

Dr. Libby continued his research for the rest of his life. Over 20 years of research went into vitamin b12 and its effects on the human body. It’s no wonder that with TriVita’s sublingual B12, you can be assured that your body is getting the B vitamins it needs. The original, patented formula bypasses the digestive system, speeding the nutrients directly to your bloodstream, where they can go to work right away.

If you fear needles and shots, why not try TriVita’s sublingual B12. To learn more about Vitamin B-12, click on the previous link.

Jeffrey Sloe
Independent TriVita Business Owner, 12871028
Visit My TriVita Business Site

Sources:
[1] www.anylabtestcleveland.com/b-12.php?gclid=CNv0wIS0pp8CFY915Qod_3lc0w

The above information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

According to many sources, doctor prescribed medications can have adverse affects on the human body. For example, some of the medications that deplete vitamin b12 over time include, “Anti-inflammatory medications – inhalant, systemic, and topical corticosteroids; Antibiotic medications – aminoglycosides; Antibiotic medications – sulfa drugs; Antibiotic medications – macrolides; Antibiotic medications – penicillin derivatives,” [1] and a whole host of others, too large to mention in this article.

The medications listed above are not only depleting the all important vitamin b12, but other vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamins B9 and B6, and important minerals such as calcium, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), magnesium, melatonin, potassium, protein and amino acid, selenium, and zinc, to mention a few. Additional information is available on the University of Maryland Medical Center web site (www.umm.edu).

Here is a quote from the UMM web site about vitamin B12 deficiency:

“Obvious symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are rare because it takes years to develop complications associated with long-term depletion of this nutrient. Irritability, weakness, numbness, anemia, loss of appetite, headache, personality changes, and confusion are some of the signs and symptoms associated with vitamin B12 depletion. Low levels of this vitamin may also be associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, heart disease, brain disorders, and birth defects.” [1]

I know it says that obvious symptoms of vitamin B12 are rare, however, if you’re taking a combination of the doctor prescribed medications listed above, there’s a chance that the depletion process could become more aggressive over time. Since many adults are taking, or will be in the future, multiple medications, understanding the side effects should become more of a priority.

According to some medical researchers, by the age of 65, an average person is on about 6 different medications. These same researchers say that each one of “these medications are designed to improve a specific body function. All of these body functions require specific nutrients as fuel.”

So you are not alone when it comes to taking multiple meds. That’s the reason so many health conscious individuals suggest taking precautionary measures, which may include taking a daily supplement of vitamin B12. Taking a vitamin B12 supplement is one of the easiest ways to get your recommended daily dose.

Let me make it perfectly clear, I’m not a doctor or healthcare professional. So before taking any dietary supplement, you should talk to a health care professional or doctor. The information in this article is just to inform people of the health risks related to doctor prescribed medications, and vitamin B12 deficiency. Although my information comes from reliable sources, it’s up to the you to verify it.

If you’re taking multiple medications, find out what effect these man-made drugs are having on your body. There may be alternatives to these prescribed drugs. Doctors may be treating your symptoms, but do they really care about the long term side effects?

In my opinion, taking a b12 supplement on a daily basis is a must. To learn more about the sublingual vitamin b12, contact me.

Find Vitamin B 12 and other great supplements at My TriVita Business Site.

Sources:
[1] www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/anti-inflammatory-000195.htm

Vitamin b-12 and folate are two of the main ingredients in many B-12 supplements. The others are Vitamin B-6 and biotin. Since b-12 and folate are considered very important to the human body, I thought I’d use this article to concentrate on those two ingredients.

What is B-12 and Folate?

According to the Labs Tests Online website, a public resource on clinical lab testing from the laboratory professionals who do the testing, “B12 and folate are B complex vitamins that are necessary for normal red blood cell formation, tissue and cellular repair, and DNA synthesis.” [1]

Vitamin B-12 and Folate Deficiency

It’s more of a deficiency of b-12 and folate that causes problems rather than an over abundance of these vitamins. As a matter of fact, a lot of research and studies have been conducted on these complex vitamins. The main findings have been that a deficiency of b-12 and/or folate “can lead to macrocytic anemia, a condition characterized by the production of fewer, but larger red blood cells and a decreased ability to carry oxygen.” [1]

Information from Lab Tests Online also states that “a deficiency in B12 can also result in varying degrees of neuropathy, nerve damage that can cause tingling and numbness in the patient’s hands and feet and mental changes that range from confusion and irritability to severe dementia.” [1]

There are many symptoms that occur which leads doctors to a vitamin b-12 deficiency. However, &quot:the symptoms associated with B12 and folate deficiency are frequently subtle and nonspecific. They are related to the resulting macrocytic anemia, nerve involvement, and gastrointestinal changes. Patients with an early deficiency may be diagnosed before they experience any overt symptoms.” [1]

Other symptoms may include, “confusion, paranoia, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue/weakness, loss of appetite, malabsorption, paleness, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, sore tongue and mouth, tingling, numbness, and/or burning in the feet, hands, arms, and legs (with B12).” [1]

Causes of Vitamin B-12 Deficiency

One of the main causes that I’ve heard about, especially when it comes to the elderly, is inadequate absorption. Most of the elderly population is unable to absorb vitamin b-12 from the food they eat. And once again, according to the Labs Tests Online website, they confirm what I’ve come to learn over the past year. “B12 and folate deficiency may be due to insufficient intake, inadequate absorption, increased loss, or to increased need.” [1]

Lab Tests Online continues with, “B12 deficiency can be caused by insufficient stomach acid – necessary to separate B12 from ingested protein. This is the most common cause of B12 deficiency in the elderly and individuals on drugs that suppress gastric acid production. Deficiency may also be due to a lack of intrinsic factor, a substance produced by parietal cells in the stomach that binds with B12 before absorption by the intestines. An autoimmune condition called pernicious anemia involves damage to the parietal cells, resulting in decreased production of intrinsic factor.” [1]

Sublingual B-12

I believe it’s the deficiency and malabsorption factors that led to the invention of a patented Sublingual B-12 formula, on a trek to develop an easy to use B-12 and folate concentrated supplement. Before this formula came to the market, the most popular way to get the proper dose of the b-12 vitamin was through a shot, which had to be administered by a doctor, and was guaranteed to be absorbed into the body.

Many people have found success with the patented sublingual vitamin b12. It has become the number one selling product which is sold and distributed by only one company. As mentioned before, the b12 vitamin is very important, and should be taken on a daily basis. It’s almost impossible to get enough of b-12 and folate through a proper diet, especially if you’re starting to get up there in age.

Before taking any dietary supplement, you should talk to a health care professional or doctor. The information in this article is just to inform people of the health risks related to vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies. Although my information comes from reliable sources, it’s up to you to verify this information, just ask your doctor.

I believe that taking a b12 supplement on a daily basis is a must. To learn more about the sublingual vitamin b12, its patented delivery system, contact me.

Find Vitamin B 12 and other great supplements at My TriVita Business Site.

Sources:
[1] http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/conditions/vitaminb12.html