Health and Diet Blog

Ken Thomas asked:




People eat toxic substances every day. Things like caffeine, sugar, white flour, aspartame, microwave food, hydrogenated fats and deep fried foods contain substances that build up as waste in your colon.

There are a number of health problems that can be the related to an unhealthy bowel, including abdominal pain, constipation and lack of energy. Your colon’s natural function is to eliminate waste and bacteria. It also absorbs water and mineral salts while maintaining your fluid and electrolyte balance.

When your colon cannot perform these functions due to buildup in the colon, extra toxins are spread across the body through the absorbed fluids. A colon cleanse is a natural an easy way to get rid of the buildup in your colon. There are many changes you can introduce to your lifestyle that will cleanse you colon.

To start, you need to make some changes to your diet. Food today is very different than what nature intended. Many times just improving your nutrition will result in your colon cleansing itself naturally. Most important to your new diet is fiber. You need 25-30 grams daily, either from food or dissolved in water. Drinking water is another essential.

You should drink half of your weight in ounces of pure non-carbonated water in order to stimulate the natural peristaltic action. As an example, if you weigh 150 pounds you need to drink 75 ounces of water. If you drink enough water and eat (or drink) enough fiber, eventually your colon will naturally restore its function.

You can also use an herbal colon cleanse. Herbs can perform a good, mild colon cleansing. Herbal colon cleansing recipes help to remove fecal matter, prevent toxins from forming and kill harmful bacteria and parasites. They will also help improve the function of colon muscles, which promotes regular, natural bowel movements.

The herbs used in traditional colon cleansing recipes have been used and tested for centuries. The herbs used have both liver cleansing and cathartic qualities. Ingredients such as aloe leaf, sienna, cascara sagrada, ginger and cayenne pepper stimulate bowel movements to help eliminate impurities from the colon.

Every herbal colon cleanse recipe will also include a bitter plant that promotes bile flow to cleanse the liver. Barberry is one example. It stimulates the liver and the gall bladder. Fennel and garlic are often included as well. They have a purifying effect on the colon bacteria by helping to kill harmful bacteria and prevent gas formation.

If you want to put your own recipe together, most health stores will sell these herbs, but you need to follow the label instructions carefully. There are also a number of colon cleansing teas sold ready to use. You need to use these in moderation, though.

Having bowel movements too frequently can dehydrate you. As you try out recipes you can gauge the result, adding or decreasing herbs according to what you want to achieve. When performing a colon cleanse you need to continue to take fiber with your meals.

Some great breakfast options with lots of fiber are wheat germ, oat bran or rice bran cereals. As you make changes to your diet and lifestyle, including eating more fruits and vegetables, taking good supplements and drinking plenty of water, the healthier your colon will get.

The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center asked:


Constipation is a problem for a large percentage of the population. Many people who deal with constipation will turn to laxatives and stool softeners seeking relief. While these products may offer temporary relief, they are not good, long-term solutions. The fact is—laxatives and stool softeners do not cure constipation. Most people don’t realize however, if they use these products too much, they could aggravate the constipation and cause other bowel problems as well.

The Truth About Laxatives and Stool Softeners

Over the counter laxatives and stool softeners are easily abused. Continual use of laxatives can be one of the leading causes of constipation. With prolonged use, the colon can become dependent upon the laxative for evacuation. When the colon has been exposed to laxatives and stool softeners for a long time and then it does not get an expected dose, constipation can occur. In other words, your body may forget how to release waste on its own. This causes more constipation, which in turn causes you to start using laxatives and stool softeners even more. Makes you wonder if that’s the real intention of the manufacturers—to keep you addicted and buying more. Sound like any other harmful products you know?

Overall, having to rely on laxatives and stool softeners to obtain movement in the bowels is not good for the intestines. It can make them “lazy” when they are not getting the workout they need to stay healthy. Many people start out with a mild case of constipation and make it worse by using laxatives. It can turn into a vicious and perpetual cycle due to the reciprocal relationship between constipation and laxatives.

Effects of Laxatives

Stimulant laxatives have irritating substances in them. For instance, cascara and senna work on the large intestines. They cause the walls of the large intestines to contract so fecal matter can move and eventually leave the body. This is the cramping you feel when you have taken a stimulant laxative. Not only can most laxatives lead to a weakened bowel, but stimulant laxatives can cause abnormal changes to occur in the intestinal lining.

Melanosis coli is associated with prolonged laxative use. It is a condition causing dark pigment to be deposited on the large intestine, resulting in discoloration of the large intestine’s lining that causes it to turn dark brown or black. Sometimes this condition is called pseudomelanosis coli or it could be referred to as “wear and tear” pigment. The discoloration may be minimal or very pronounced. The good news is that it can possibly be reversed if the laxative use is discontinued.

It is important to understand just because laxatives and stool softeners are available over the counter does not mean there is no risk involved in their use. People who take laxatives as a means of treating constipation may have an underlying condition, of which they remain unaware, such as a bowel obstruction.

When you suffer from constipation and laxatives seems like a quick fix, which it can be temporarily, you may not realize a better solution exists. Many people simply need to have their colon cleansed. Cleaning and detoxifying the body can rid it of years of accumulated sludge and fecal matter. It helps to rid the body of bad bacteria while making it a welcoming environment for good bacteria. Detoxifying and cleansing the intestines can improve the way you look and feel dramatically. Many people do not realize constipation and built up toxins in the body can cause acne, bad breath, fatigue and weight gain. Once your body is flushed free of the toxins and sludge, it can return to a healthy internal balance. Your skin will not be stressed by trying to get rid of toxins, your breath will smell fresher because you will not have foul gases emitting from your stomach, and your energy levels can increase as your digestive tract loses the sludge and buildup it has been holding for all those years.

One of the best products you can use to cleanse and detoxify your body is Oxy-Powder®. Oxy-Powder is an all-natural product for oxidizing the toxins, sludge, mucous, and fecal matter that have collected in your system. When you start the colon cleansing process, you should expect to have bowel movements that are liquid in composition as well as extra gas. However, it should not be confused with diarrhea, which is caused by viral infection. You also won’t experience the intense cramping like with stimulant laxatives. The liquid matter you will be passing is simply the old solid matter that has been oxidized naturally so it can be easily flushed out.

What is truly unique about Oxy-Powder is that once your body has been thoroughly cleansed you can continue regular maintenance doses without any fear of addiction or harmful side effects. Many people use this powerful oxygen-based cleanser and are thrilled with the results. They are able to say goodbye to those harmful stimulant laxatives, along with that awful constipation!

If you suffer from constipation, take heart. There is hope. You do not have to live with being constipated. You do not have to keep a stockpile of laxatives and stool softeners in your home, either. Constipation and laxatives for relief just is not a good combination. Do yourself (and your body) a favor and start cleansing your body today. You will begin to notice the difference right away!

Muscles Prod asked:




Anabolic oral steroids put stress on the liver. Not all of them has the same negative impact however all 17A oral steroids will affect in a way your liver. 17 alpha alkylation refers to the addition of an alkyl group (either a methyl or ethyl) to the alpha position of the 17 carbon in the steroid backbone. By adding this methyl group at the 17a position the major route of androgen deactivation is avoided. The additional methyl stops the oxidation of the steroid to a 17-keto steroid. This allows a large part of the steroid to avoid the first pass metabolism and degradation in the liver.

In this group are steroids such as: Dbol (Methandrostenolone), Oxymetholone, Methyltestosterone, Oxandrolone.

It is worth mentioning that not every bodybuilder is affected by the use of these steroids.

I mean not every user will feel negative impact. There are people who may take orals for many years and their health will not be affected. In the same time there are bodybuilders who will do a cycle of orals and they will feel small pains in liver’s region.

If you are from second group then better avoid using orals and use injectables steroids as they will not affect your liver in such measure as orals do.

However if you need using orals then better to keep your liver health then after to treat it.



For this there are supplements such as LIV 52 and Milk Thistle,Essentiale and other products which can be found on Internet.

Both are those products which will help you mantain your liver healthy.

Milk Thistle – Milk thistles are thistles of the genus Silybum Adans., flowering plants of the daisy family (Asteraceae). They are native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The name “milk thistle” derives from two features of the leaves: they are mottled with splashes of white and they contain a milky sap. However, it is the seeds of milk thistle that herbalists have used for 2000 years to treat chronic liver disease and protect the liver against toxins. Increasing research is being undertaken on the physiological effects, therapeutic properties and possible medical uses of milk thistle.



Research suggests that milk thistle extracts both prevent and repair damage to the liver from toxic chemicals and medications. Workers who had been exposed to vapors from toxic chemicals (toluene and/or xylene) for 5-20 years were given either a standardized milk thistle extract (80% silymarin) or placebo for 3 years. The workers taking the milk thistle extract showed significant improvement in liver function tests (ALT and AST) and platelet counts vs. the placebo group.



The efficacy of silymarin in preventing drug-induced liver damage in patients taking psychotropic drugs long-term has been investigated . This class of drugs is known to cause liver damage from oxidation of lipids. Patients taking silymarin in the study had less hepatic damage from the oxidation of lipids than patients taking the placebo.

LIV52 - Liv-52 is a unique, all-natural, complex multi-ingredient formula. It is safe and effective in portecting the liver against harmful toxins from drugs, alcohol, food and water. Liv52 helps regulate levels of enzymes and optimizes assimilation. Liv-52 ( Liv52 ) has also been found to be associated with an increase in serum albumin, which is another indication of the liver protection it provides. Recent work shows that Liv52 has cholesterol-regulating action. Clinically, it helps maintain healthy levels of serum cholesterol, lipoproteins, phospholipids and triglycerides.

Liv-52 restores the functional efficiency of the liver by protecting the hepatic parenchyma and promoting hepatocellular regeneration. The antiperoxidative activity of Liv-52 prevents the loss of functional integrity of the cell membrane, maintains cytochrome P-450, hastens the recovery period and ensures early restoration of hepatic functions in infective hepatitis. Liv-52 facilitates rapid elimination of acetaldehyde, the toxic intermediate metabolite of alcohol metabolism, and ensures protection from alcohol-induced hepatic damage. Liv-52 diminishes the lipotropic activity in chronic alcoholism, and prevents fatty infiltration of the liver. In pre-cirrhotic conditions,

Liv-52 arrests the progress of the disease and prevents further liver damage.

Essentiale - is a preparation of essential phospholipids. Essentiale normalizes the metabolism of lipids and proteins, improves the detoxification function of the liver, restores the cellular structure of the liver and retards the producing of conjuctive tissue. Essentiale medications are indicated for the treatment of fatty degeneration of the liver, hepatitis (including toxic hepatitis, liver damage caused by medicines or alcohol abuse), cirrhosis of the liver, disturbances in liver function associated with different illnesses.

Better to keep your liver healthy then after treat it. For more information on how to use any of these products please use www.hypermuscles.com forum.

Train hard and eat right!

For products description were used such sources as: wikipedia and other internet web pages..

jackb son asked:




Bed ulcers/bed sores afflict patients in hospitals throughout the world. Various means of reducing bedsores have been tried, from frequent turning to synthetic padding, but medical research has shown that one of the most effective means of reducing the occurrence of bedsores is the use of natural sheepskin padding.

Bedsores develop as a result of constant pressure on certain parts of the body, most commonly the bony protuberances such as elbows and heels. On traditional mattresses, these points come to bear inordinate amounts of body weight, because most beds lack the pressure distribution properties of memory foam or other more advanced materials.

Bedsores occur when the blood supply to the capillaries is restricted over a period of time. Bedsores are also called pressure ulcers. Since the unique character of memory foam is it’s ability to melt away from anywhere that pressure is applied, bed sores are reduced or eliminated.

Bed ridden patients in nursing home or assisted living facilities develop bed sores that can facilitate their demise. Paraplegics and quadriplegics develop localized pressure sores that can instigate life-threatening infections. Situations that impede circulation such as complications following surgery, congestive heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral ulcers, vascular disease, and traumatic injury help cause wounds.

Bed sores are also known as pressure sores, pressure ulcers, decubiti, or decubitus ulcers. They begin as red, painful areas on the skin (often the legs and backside) and may turn purple or even black if undetected or untreated. In some cases, bed sores can lacerate and become infected, causing further medical problems.

Bed sores pose a threat to anyone facing long periods of bed rest or bed confinement, or anyone who is immobilized or handicapped. Bed sores develop as a result of constant pressure on certain parts of the body, most commonly the bony areas such as shoulder blades, hips, heels and elbows . Other factors that contribute to bedsores include excessive moisture from sweating and friction from rubbing against the lower sheet.

Additionally, memory foam has been widely used in hospitals and rehabilitation centers across the country for recovery from debilitating injuries, major surgeries and for long term care because it prevents any bed sores or other problems among people who must stay in one position for a long time to heal.

The perfect cushion is a preventive of “bed sores” which do not necessarily come from a bed but rather the chaffing of skin against a surface, and with inactivity of the body, the blood flow to these skin surfaces are slowed and result in skin lesions.

Check the person’s body for bed sores and other injuries and ask questions if anything seems suspicious. If the behavior continues, file a complaint and find another facility.

The heat retaining properties of the foam makes pain more bearable for a patient suffering from back injuries. Thus memory foam is also used in medical treatments of patients developing “bed sores” and for people suffering from postural problems. Besides the use of memory foam in a mattress, nowadays it is also used in pillows, positional sleep aids, office furniture, automobile seat padding, footwear, infant cribs, car seats, wheel chair cushions, computer carrying cases and many more.

Read about Breast Enlargement. Also read about libido enhancer and low sex drive

Anne Gilbang asked:


Do you feel that your belly is tight and full and causing you so much discomfort? Are you experiencing symptoms such as flatulence and wind? Most people that have a stubborn belly fat may have abdominal bloating problems without realizing it.

Bloating is mainly a result of intestinal gas and from fluid retention. It is caused by poor digestion, swallowing too much air, lactose and fructose intolerance, food allergies, constipation or eating in a hurry.

The good news is that you can relieve yourself from bloating by avoiding certain foods and drinks and changing some of your eating habits.

What are the foods to avoid?

Gassy Foods: Try to avoid cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, beans and legumes, cabbage, onions, peppers and citrus fruits.

Salt: Water is attracted to sodium, so when you take in higher than usual amounts of sodium in the form of salty foods like potato chips and most fast food, you will temporarily retain more fluid. This contributes to a puffy appearance, sluggish feeling, and water retention.

Fried and Spicy Foods: Fried foods are digested slowly, making you feel heavy. Also food seasoned with chilli powder, hot sauces, black pepper, fresh chillies, barbecue sauce, or vinegar can stimulate the release of stomach acid, which can cause gut irritation and bloating.

Other Food & Drinks: Carbonated or Fizzy Drinks , Alcohol (Dark beer and Red wine), Acidic Fruit Juices, Sorbitol (sweetener in sugar-free gum, candies, and other diet products)

What Eating Habits do you need to change?



- Eat slowly, make sure to chew well

- Eat small meals and snacks throughout the day

- Drink plenty of water and have a stroll or walk after every meal

Now you know what food to avoid to cure your bloating, so the next question would be – What type of food can you eat?

You can kickstart your weight loss by following a very simple diet plan that is scientifically proven to be effective and help you flatten your belly by avoiding foods that caused bloating.

Subhash Kandpal asked:




Hemroids are treated as per their type-internal hemroids and external hemroids. Hemroids which occur during pregnancy can be treated with minor treatments. Usually, Hemroids can be removed by minor operations. Generally, hemroid surgery is recommended for internal hemroids with severe pain/bleeding.

External hemroids can be treated at home for immediate temporary relief. One of such methods is method is warm water sittings. You can use lukewarm water in a tub – may add pinch of iodine- and sit in the tub. You have to repeat this procedure everyday. The results of this procedure will provide you relief from irritation and itching caused by hemroids.

Dietary control is another way of getting relief from hemroids. Use plenty of fluid in your diet. Take fibrous diet. This liquid and fibrous diet helps in softening and easy passing of motion. As a result of this diet control, you need not to apply pressure for motion. Pressure is once of the causes of aggravation and bleeding hemroids.

Regular exercise also helps in easy passing of tools. This method is successful mainly in pregnant women. There is a simple exercise for pregnant women to get relief from hemroids. You have to just lie down on your back for 15 to 20 minutes. This relieves the pressure on affected veins and reduces pain.

Apart from these home methods, there are certain methods which are non-surgical in nature and can be performed in clinics.

Rubber band method is considered easy way of hemroid treatment. In this method affected veins are tied with a rubber band. This rubber band curtails the blood flow towards affected veins which results in disappearing of hemroid.

The other non-surgical treatment is coagulation therapy. In this method affected tissues are removed with the help of scalp. You can use scleo-therapy for getting relief from hemroids. In this method certain chemicals are injected to gain relief from hemroids.

Usually, for advanced and severely paining hemroids, surgery is conducted to get fast relief.

Above information is only for education purposes. Your doctor will be the best man to guide you on right treatment of hemroid after considering seriousness of the disease and other relevant factors.

Kathy Kyle Thompson asked:




Why Detox?

The primary cause of disease is the accumulation of waste and toxins, which are not eliminated from our body. Some symptoms of toxicity include headaches, fatigue, skin problems, frequent colds, aching joints, cravings, digestive problems, allergies, and sensitivity to smells or chemicals. (see Body Detox)

Sulphur Rich Foods

Dietary detox measures should include sulfur-rich foods; cabbage, garlic, beans and egg yolk. Asafetida is also an extremely powerful detoxifying agent, it has even more of the sulphhydryl compounds that are found in garlic and onions and is reputed to be an even more powerful detoxifier. Green garlic and shallots are also very effective; depending on the soil they were grown in they may contain some beneficial trace elements such as germanium.

Not only does the sulphur compounds clear out toxins but there seems to be some antioxidant effect.

Toxins: Lead

In the ancient world and the middle ages, sugar of lead (lead acetate) was used to sweeten wines, usually resulting in severe and widespread lead poisoning. Something similar happened in England in the 18th Century when the cider producers used it for the same purpose. The resulting symptoms were so common that they became known as Devonshire Colic. Its use in sweetening beers was banned in England in the early part of the 20th century. Although no longer so common in our environment it is estimated that over half a million children in the USA have dangerously high levels.

Detox with Sauna Therapy!

One detoxification method has been shown particularly effective in reducing body burdens of some persistent fat soluble organic chemicals. This method consists of aerobic exercise, extended sessions in a sauna, polyunsaturated oil, and nutritional supplements. The exercise, sauna treatment, and niacin aid in mobilizing fat-stored toxins, while the oil blocks reabsorption of the toxins excreted into the intestines by bile acids. The sauna induces sweating which brings about excretion of toxins through the sweat and sebum. Reports have shown the regimen to be safe and effective in bringing about substantial reductions of PCB’s and various drugs and pesticides.

Sauna detoxification is thought to lead to the removal of fat soluble chemicals from the body by encouraging their elimination through sebaceous and sweat glands. Excretion of lipophylic chemicals through the sweat glands has been documented for a variety of compounds including morphine, amphetamines, chlorinated pesticides, herbicides, PCB’s, PCP’s, and general volatile substances.

Sauna benefits the Heart!

Heart benefits from a sauna have been proven through medical studies. A study recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology tested sauna therapy in people with coronary risk factors (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetics, and smokers). Even Chuwa Tei, MD, who led the study, was surprised at the level that sauna therapy helped the test subjects. The subjects went into a sauna daily, and in only two weeks, their blood vessel function improved by 40%. The study showed that even people who currently had heart disease or severely blocked arteries benefited greatly from sauna therapy.

Robert Sifer asked:


(c) 2008 Robert Sifer

There are different types of stomach ache that arise due to different factors. Some of the causes include acidity of the stomach, gas, problems with the appendix, and even stomach cancer. If you suffer from persistent stomach ache, accompanied by vomiting and fever then you should go and see a doctor as soon as possible. However, if the pain is just occasional, then perhaps you ought to be thinking about ways to prevent it, rather than requiring a cure. Stomach ache affects everybody at some time or another, affecting men, women and children. The prevention of stomach ache in children and adults needs to be considered separately.

Stomach ache in children

Most children have irregular bowel patterns. The consistency and size of the child’s stool should always be checked. This will help to determine whether the child has a constipation problem or not. It is also important to make sure that the child does not have irregular eating habits. Overeating is a common reason for abdominal discomfort.

The child should be taught to eat slowly, chewing his food properly, and to stop when his or her stomach is full. Swallowing air, known as aerophagia, can also be a major cause of abdominal pain, and may also lead to a swelling of the abdominal area, as well as frequent belching. Limiting carbonated beverages and chewing gum may be helpful in preventing flatus or belching in your child. Many children tend to swallow air if they are frightened or anxious, so sometimes abdominal pain can be a sign that the child has been upset in some way.

Stomach ache in adults

Developing regular bowel patterns is extremely important in the prevention of stomach ache caused by constipation. Overeating is also a major cause of stomach ache and discomfort. It is important to get into the habit of eating slowly, and to stop eating once the stomach is full. It is better to eat several small meals per day, as opposed to one big one. It is also important to ensure that these meals are well-balanced and high in fiber.

Drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and limit foods that produce gas. Foods which have a tendency to produce a lot of gas are:

- Legumes, such as peas and dried beans

- Dairy products, such as milk, cheese and ice cream

- Vegetables, such as cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes and onions

- Fruits, such as apricots, bananas and raisins

- Pastries and bread

- Fatty foods, such as fried chicken

- Carbonated drinks, such as champagne

If you suffer from periodic stomach ache, it is important to take preventative measures to ensure that this problem does not ruin your day. If you know what triggers your stomach ache, you will be able to avoid the causes, and thus prevent the problem. Sitting straight while eating will also ease the pressure on the stomach and will prevent an ache from developing afterwards.

Some people have a very strong stomach, which means that they can eat just about anything they like, and not get stomach ache, while some people suffer from it even if they have only eaten something a little more spicy than usual.

People suffering from frequent stomach pain would be well-advised to track what they eat and drink for a full three weeks. By doing this, they may be able to identify the things that are giving them the stomach ache.

Janet Rusky asked:


The Different Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatments

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder affecting the gastrointestinal. The origin of this disorder is still unknown. But its symptoms include bloating, gassiness, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and constipation. And since it is still not clear what’s causing IBS, all the treatments for this disorder are just intended to control the symptoms.

Ways of Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Changing Diet

IBS is a disorder that involves the colon and mainly focused on the bowel movement. Since IBS caused constipation and diarrhea what most people do is to change their diet. Modifying diet may control symptoms of IBS but without the proper guidance of a doctor its effect may not last for long.

Why? Because you need to be properly diagnosed by a doctor before you change your diet. You see there are certain foods that are not advisable for IBS patients and your doctor can tell you exactly the foods that you have to avoid and eat. Take for instance, without a doctor to diagnose your condition you may mistook lactose intolerance for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Medical Treatment

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a problem that only happens occasionally but there are also some IBS patients that experience much lasting symptoms and often entails for medications.

One of the most common treatment prescribe is eating fiber-rich foods. The main objective of this is to help the digestive tract to expand in order to reduce the possibility of spasm while food is being transmitted and digested. Plus fiber is known for promoting regular bowel movement reducing constipation.

However, it is very important to add fiber to the diet slowly since it may worsen IBS symptoms like bloating and gassiness. Stress is another factor that triggers IBS. Doctors may advice ways on how to reduce stress like eating a well-balanced meal and of course exercising.

Smoking was also found out to worsen Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. IBS smoker patients are advised to quit smoking or suffer the consequences. It is also advisable for IBS patients especially those with food intolerance, to keep a food journal to help them determine foods that they have to avoid and foods that they can eat.

Medications

There are antispasmodic medicines that are given to IBS patients to control or slow down the action of the digestive tract to reduce spasms. However different people react to medicines in different ways so it may work for some but not for others. For those who may not have a good reaction to this type of medicine there are other available treatments that may be applied to control symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Anti-diarrhea medicines are also prescribed to IBS patients that are experiencing severe loose bowel movement. There are lots of over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicines that can be bought even without a doctor’s prescription. This is all right for simple diarrhea cases but for IBS you need to consult your doctor before you try to purchase any medicine.

Antidepressants are also very effective for controlling Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms especially when taken in small doses. There are also new types of medications that are especially made for patients that do not react favorably with the aforementioned medicines. Consult your doctor for medicines that will help you to control IBS symptoms. Do not self-medicate since it may do you more harm than good.

Edward Sample asked:




Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is an essential building block of DNA and is key to the maintenance of our body’s genes. In this role, it is an important element in ensuring the proper function of the nervous system and maintaining a healthy hematological profile.

A proper diet and good nutrition is almost always sufficient to prevent B12 deficiency. The vitamin is naturally found in high protein foods such as meat, eggs, fish and dairy. In addition, those who regularly take a multivitamin are not likely to need extra vitamin B12 supplementation. However, ensuring enough B12 is ingested is important given that the body does not easily store the vitamin.

There is a high incidence of B12 deficiency in a few select groups. First, vegetarians or vegans who completely avoid animal based foods are at risk. Children who follow strict vegetarian diets absent of dairy products are particularly susceptible to low levels of the vitamin. Also, it is estimated that a high percentage of the elderly have some level of B12 deficiency. This is because as we age, our ability to extract and absorb B12 from food-based protein sources diminishes. Also, seniors are more likely to have digestive problems, a degraded stomach lining, or have gone through some form of gastro-intestinal surgery. This contributes to the possibility of deficiency among this population. Finally, large amounts of alcohol and caffeine have been shown to decrease the ability of the body to absorb the vitamin.

It is important to recognize the 5 warning signs of B12 deficiency.

1. Stomach pain or digestive issues

2. Fatigue and weakness

3. Loss of sensation or tingling in lower extremities

4. Impaired cognitive function or dementia

5. Depression, irritability or moodiness

Stomach pain may be a symptom of pernicious anaemia, a condition where the immune system hinders the process by which the digestive system is able to absorb B12. This results in the premature death of red blood cells. The fatigue and weakness that often accompanies low levels of the vitamin are also caused by anaemia.

Given the importance of B12 to neurological function, a deficiency may result in several brain function issues such as the last three warning signs mentioned above. Given a predisposition to B12 deficiency in those over 50, the loss of cognitive function, moodiness and irritability is often blamed on age as opposed to not getting enough of the vitamin. This is compounded by the fact that impaired mental function and dementia are often symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, something as simple as a dietary gap is often overlooked as a cause of mental degradation. This is where supplementation with B12 can result in significant improvements.

Also, it is important to note that the effects of B6 and Folic Acid in coordination with B12 are collectively more powerful than just B12 alone. This is because the systems dependent on B12 also rely on these other substances for proper function. B12, along with Folic Acid and B6 are necessary to keep homocysteine in the blood down to healthy levels. Several studies have shown that increased levels of homocysteine are associated with greater incidence of heart disease and stroke. These vitamins can reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues in that they convert homocysteine to methionine, an amino acid that is used in a productive manner by cells. In two other studies, vitamin B12 and folic acid were also shown to have a role in reducing the number of abnormal, pre-cancerous bronchial cells in heavy smokers.

The primary form of B12 used as a nutritional supplement is cyanocobalamin. However, it is important to note that the absorption of B12 is much higher when the source is food based as opposed to via supplementation. While for extreme cases of deficiency, vitamin B12 is available via prescription as an injection or nasal gel, most supplementation is as part of a multivitamin, delivered as a pill, sublingual tablet, or lozenge. The Recommended Daily Intake of B12 is 6 micrograms (mcg), even though supplements will often deliver as much as 30 mcg. Despite the wide range of dosage options, most healthy adults only need 3 mcg each day. Additionally, B12 taken orally is well tolerated by most and there have been no documented cases of overdose or toxicity associated with the supplement. While occurring infrequently, the side effects of B12 include rash, hives and itching. Those who take any of the following medications may be at risk for B12 deficiency in that they have been shown to hinder absorption: Antibiotics, Proton Pump Inhibitors Cholestyramine, H2 blockers, Metformin, and Potassium Chloride. Calcium supplementation may also assist the body in its ability to absorb B12.

If you feel that you may be at risk of vitamin b12 deficiency, or are exhibiting any warning signs, go see your doctor immediately for more information. Aside from those with extreme medical conditions, the rest of us can easily ensure that we are getting enough of the nutrients essential to health by taking a well-formulated multivitamin.