B vitamins

Email this page to a friend

Want news about B vitamins and more e-mailed to you? Click here for free email alerts

Niacin Niacin or nicotinic acid, one of the water-soluble b vitamins, namely B3, improves levels of cholesterol ("bad" LDL drops by 10 to 20 percent and "good" HDL rises by 15 to 35 percent) and triglycerides (lower by 20 to 50 percent) when given in doses well above the basic vitamin requirement. Niacin helps change other risk factors for heart disease. Levels of a very heart-toxic blood fat, apolipoprotein (a), were significantly reduced (20 percent) by niacin, but were not altered by the drug used in the study (gemfibrozil, a fibrate drug).

Unless otherwise advised, take supplements with food to aid in their digestion and to prevent side effects such as nausea, often due to the b vitamins. As you read later chapters for specific drugs and conditions, you will learn in-depth about many of the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and accessory nutrients listed in Table 2.1 on page 32. I also recommend adding, daily: ?30 mg of coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant and heart health promoter (more on this nutrient in Chapter 4). ?1 gram (1,000 mg) of fish oil, twice daily, to supply omega-3 fatty 1 TABLE 2.1.

Best Choices From the People's Pharmacy Joe Graedon, M.S. and Teresa Graedon, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

We had been big boosters of b vitamins because they lower homocysteine, a known risk factor for heart disease. We had hoped that taking vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid would lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes. To our disappointment, those hopes were dashed. Studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine conclusively demonstrated that taking b vitamins did not protect high-risk patients from heart attacks or other "major vascular events." They may even pose a hazard in the relatively high doses used in these prevention trials.

Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease Ann M. Coulston and Carol J. Boushey See book keywords and concepts

Homocysteine, b vitamins, and cardiovascular disease. N. Engl. J. Med. 355, 207-209. 283. Zee, RY, Mora, S., Cheng, S., et al. (2007). Homocysteine, 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C>T polymorphism, nutrient intake, and incident cardiovascular disease in 24,968 initially healthy women. Clin. Chem. 53, 845-851. 284. Bazzano, L. A., Reynolds, K., Holder, K. N., and He, J. (2006). Effect of folic acid supplementation on risk of cardiovascular diseases: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. JAMA 296, 2720-2726. 285. Kris-Etherton, P. M., Innis, S.

101 Foods That Could Save Your Life! David W. Grotto, RD, LDN See book keywords and concepts

Soy foods are rich in copper and magnesium and are also rich in b vitamins, particularly niacin, pyridoxine, and folacin. Soybeans are rich in phytochemicals known as isoflavones which may help prevent certain types of cancer, fight heart disease, and improve bone density. Home Remedies The Chinese have used fermented soybean curds to treat skin infections for over 3,000 years. Soy has also been used to alleviate hot flashes. Throw Me a Lifesaver!

The Food-Mood Solution: All-Natural Ways to Banish Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Stress, Overeating, and Alcohol and Drug Problems--and Feel Good Again Jack Challem See book keywords and concepts

Note: Take b vitamins in the morning or the early afternoon, with food. Large amounts of vitamin B6 may overstimulate dream activity, leading to restless sleep. Vitamin C. The first symptoms of inadequate vitamin C intake are irritability and fatigue, both of which are commonly associated with anxiety. Vitamin C helps to prevent brain toxicity from stimulants. Although supplemental vitamin C by itself is unlikely to have a dramatic effect on mood, it is extremely important. Take 1,000 to 4,000 mg daily, divided into three or four daily dosages, with or without food.

101 Foods That Could Save Your Life! David W. Grotto, RD, LDN See book keywords and concepts

Cauliflower is an excellent source of fiber and vitamin C, as well as a good source of the b vitamins biotin and folate. Cauliflower contains a phytochemical called sulforaphane, which helps the liver produce enzymes that block cancer-causing chemicals from damaging the body. Home Remedies Biotin, a water-soluble vitamin found in cauliflower, has been shown to control dandruff. Biotin also helps thicken nails and reduce splitting and cracking. Munching of crunchy foods such as cauliflower before bed may help stop jaw-clenching while sleeping. Throw Me a Lifesaver!

Alternative Medicine Magazine's Definitive Guide to Sleep Disorders: 7 Smart Ways to Help You Get a Good Night's Rest Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac. See book keywords and concepts

The b vitamins (particularly B6) are also important for sleep, as they regulate the body's use of L-tryptophan. In the absence of adequate vitamin B6, the body cannot convert L-tryptophan into melatonin. Deficiencies in folic acid (also known as folacin or folate), another member of the B vitamin family, have been linked to insomnia and restless legs syndrome.16 • Vitamin E deficiency may be a factor in restless legs syndrome.17 • People suffering from insomnia may be deficient in the mineral zinc, particularly infants with frequent nighttime waking and crying.

101 Foods That Could Save Your Life! David W. Grotto, RD, LDN See book keywords and concepts

It also contains b vitamins, iron, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, and copper, and is one of the richest sources of chromium, which is important in maintaining proper blood glucose levels. Barley is rich in antioxidants, such as selenium, quercetin, and phenolic acids, which protect against damage to human body cells, and also contains a high concentration of tocols and tocotrienols, oils that help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. Home Remedies Barley has been used in a variety of home remedies throughout the centuries.

1000 Cures for 200 Ailments: Integrated Alternative and Conventional Treatments for the Most Common Illnesses Marshall Editions See book keywords and concepts

Supplements: Take 100 mg of B-complex (especially riboflavin) a day to compensate for a deficiency in b vitamins that is commonly found in people with rosacea. Vitamin B12 147 < CO dc I helps to reduce flare-ups of rosacea. Take 400-800 meg a day, taking into account the amount contained in your B-complex. Vitamin C and flavonoids are well-known ^ nutritional necessities for optimal performance of blood vessels, capillaries, and connective q tissue. Take 1,000 mg of vitamin C and 500-650 mg flavonoids twice a day. Probiotics help improve digestion and skin health.

Superfoods Rx Diet: Lose Weight with the Power of SuperNutrients Wendy Bazilian, DRPH, MA, RD, Steven Pratt, MD, Kathy Matthews See book keywords and concepts

While delicious salmon offers a host of healthy nutrients including b vitamins, selenium, vitamin D, potassium, and healthy protein, perhaps its most valuable contribution to your health is that it offers one of the richest whole food sources of omega-3 fatty acids. You've probably been hearing about omega-3 fatty acids recently. There's been much discussion about the importance offish like salmon in the diet and in fact the American Heart Association® recommends eating at least two servings of fish—particularly fatty fish like salmon and its sidekicks—weekly.

When refined, the fiber, antioxidants including vitamin E and selenium, as well as a slew of other key micronutrients like magnesium, zinc, potassium and the b vitamins are stripped right off. More than 50 percent of the thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, B6, folate, and vitamin E are lost. By law flour manufacturers have to fortify their refined flour with some of the same nutrients that were milled away. And those fortifications don't include important phytochem-icals like lignans, phenolic acids, phytoestrogens, and other key nutrients.

Spinach provides your body with a rich infusion of SuperNutrients including lutein/zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids, glutathione, alpha lipoic acid, vitamins C and E, the b vitamins including thiamine, riboflavin, B6, and folate; minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, and zinc; various polyphenols, and betaine. That's a pretty impressive array of nutrients for a simple, delicious leaf. And, in fact, it's only a partial list of the nutrients in spinach.

Bottom Line's Health Breakthroughs 2007 Bottom Line Health See book keywords and concepts

Instead, they looked at whether b vitamins can treat or reverse heart disease in people who already have it. Vitamins should not be expected to perform like drugs— their greatest purpose is in prevention." Alice H. Lichtenstein, director of the Cardiovascular Nutrition Lab at the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Human Nutrition Research Center at Tufts University, disagrees. She notes that even outwardly "healthy" Americans develop some level of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) as they age, and therefore, the findings would probably apply to the average person, as well.

ANALYZING THE FINDINGS Loscalzo believes that at the dosages used in the study, folic acid and b vitamins somehow counteract their beneficial effect of reducing homocysteine levels. "Some of those adverse effects may have to do with the complex metabolism of the vitamins," he speculates. "These vitamins are important for cell growth. It may be that the doses used might have stimulated the growth of cell and atherosclerotic plaque." Vitamin therapy may not be the best way to lower homocysteine levels, he suggests.

Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease Ann M. Coulston and Carol J. Boushey See book keywords and concepts

Deficiencies in b vitamins (B12, B6, and folate) can lead to hyperhomocysteinemia. Hyperhomocysteinemia is thought to increase risk for cardiovascular disease via a number of proposed mechanisms, including increased oxidative stress [317], and among persons with type 1 and 2 diabetes, hyperhomocysteinemia has been shown to be associated with DR in some [318-325], but not all [326-331], small studies.

DRI reports have been issued for sets of nutrients: bone-related nutrients (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D, and fluoride) [2]; b vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate, and choline) [3]; antioxidant nutrients (vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium) [4]; micro-nutrients (vitamins A and K, iron, zinc, copper, iodine, molybdenum, and several other minerals) [5]; macronutrients (energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, and dietary fiber) [6]; and electrolytes (potassium, sodium, and chloride) [7].

This may be the result of poor intake and absorption of b vitamins or antioxidants, alcohol and tobacco toxicity, or a combination of these factors. Nutritional supplements may be of benefit to some patients with visual disorders. One such condition is retinitis pigmentosa, an inherited condition of progressive visual loss. It begins with the loss of night vision in childhood or adolescence. This is followed by the loss of peripheral vision because of the degeneration of rods, and finally the loss of central vision because of the degeneration of cones (recently reviewed [3]).

Best Choices From the People's Pharmacy Joe Graedon, M.S. and Teresa Graedon, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine conclusively demonstrated that taking b vitamins did not protect high-risk patients from heart attacks or other "major vascular events." They may even pose a hazard in the relatively high doses used in these prevention trials. Such research demonstrates how critical it is to do these long-term trials in order to test any to produce results, niacin must be considered a medicine and its use "Treatment with b vitamins did not lower the risk of recurrent cardiovascular disease after acute myocardial infarction [heart attack].

The Sinatra Solution Metabolic Cardiology Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Following a complete cardiovascular workup, my "first-knight" nurse, Rosie—who's been with me for thirty years—started Jim on a cocktail of nutrients, including D-ribose, L-carnitine, coenzyme Qi0, and a mixture of b vitamins. Jim simply mixed what he refers to as "Rosie's cocktail," in orange juice three times per day. Within four days, Jim could walk farther than he'd been able to in months. A couple of weeks later, Jim was painting the rails on his porch, and within four weeks his ejection fraction had improved to 24 percent.

Transdermal Magnesium Therapy Mark Sircus See book keywords and concepts

For everyone who has not heard of nutritional yeast I highly recommend it as a source of b vitamins and many other wonderful nutritional things. It is up there with spirulina in my eyes. It is exceptionally good tasting and can be used in or on almost everything.

Magnesium protects the cell against oxyradical damage and assists in the absorption and metabolism of b vitamins, vitamin C and E, which are anti-oxidants important in cell protection. Recent evidence suggests that vitamin E enhances glutathione levels and may play a protective role in magnesium deficiency-induced cardiac lesions.6 In general, magnesium is essential for the survival of our cells but takes on further importance in this current age of toxicity where our bodies are being bombarded on a daily basis with heavy metals.

The "Myers' cocktail," which was used effectively for acute asthma attacks, migraines, fatigue (including chronic fatigue syndrome), fibromyalgia, acute muscle spasm, upper respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis, seasonal allergic rhinitis, cardiovascular disease, and other disorders, consisted of magnesium, calcium, b vitamins, and vitamin C. This treatment was made famous by Dr. Linus Pauling and many doctors around the world practice Orthomolecular Medicine with good clinical results. Dr.

Medline] 2 Enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism glucokinase, hexokinase, galactokinase, phosphorylase phosphatase, phosphorylase kinase, phosphoglucomutase, 6-phosphofructokinase aldolase, triokinase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, transketolase, phosphoglycerate kinase, phosphoryl glycerylmutase, enolase, pyruvate kinase, thiamine-pyrophosphate kinase, pyruvate decarboxylase, glycerokinase, glycerophosphatase, various pentoside kinases that activate b vitamins.

There Is a Cure for Diabetes: The Tree of Life 21-Day+ Program Gabriel Cousens See book keywords and concepts

One hundred grams of most of the sea vegetables have about one-third the RDA of the b vitamins, one-tenth the RDA of vitamin C, and about one-third the RDA of vitamin E. As pointed out earlier, these sea vegetables also contain chelating agents that are effective for protection against the absorption of radioactive particles. KELP Kelp absorbs from seawater almost all the nutrients, minerals, and trace elements that are essential to life. Kelp contains more than sixty minerals and elements, twenty-one amino acids, simple and complex carbohydrates, and several essential plant growth hormones.

Mastering Leptin: The Leptin Diet, Solving Obesity and Preventing Disease, Second Edition Byron J. Richards, CCN See book keywords and concepts

We use a specially formulated multiple vitamin that contains high amounts of the coenzyme forms of b vitamins. These are a tremendous advantage for anyone with fibromyalgia, as they require no energy to make them active in the body as do regular b vitamins. This formulation is also high in malic acid, an important cofactor for energy production in cells and the clearance of lactic acid. It contains no citric acid, which may induce immediate fatigue and headache in fibromyalgia patients. In addition to the basic multiple vitamin, we use a unique form of calcium called calcium AEP.

It has long been known that b vitamins, Krebs cycle intermediates - especially malic acid, magnesium, and coenzyme Q10 are needed for cellular energy production (ATP synthesis). Thus, one strategy for weight loss is to ensure there are enough b vitamins and magnesium for energy production. These could be taken at meals or before exercise. Specifically to enhance the fat burning during exercise, an individual could take 100-200 mg of coenzyme Q10 and a multiple antioxidant just before doing the exercise.

Sugar Shock!: How Sweets and Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life-- and How YouCan Get Back on Track Connie Bennett, C.H.H.C. with Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Indeed, malnourished children weren't getting crucial minerals like zinc and iron, b vitamins, and protein, which are needed to develop a healthy nervous system and are required for mental and emotional health and stability. Sugar Could Make You Blue by Robbing Your Body of Chromium and More Most people mistakenly assume that if they eat sugar and take vitamins at the same time they won't be harmed. "As long as you eat refined sugars, many essential nutrients will be depleted from the body," says Nancy Appleton, Ph.D.

The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine: The Ultimate Multidisciplinary Reference to the Amazing Realm of Healing Plants, in a Quick-study, One-stop Guide Brigitte Mars, A.H.G. See book keywords and concepts

Constituents Leaf: vitamin C, vitamin K, tannins, flavonoid (api-genin), mucilage, allantoin, glycoside (aucubin), silicic acid, oxalic acid Seed: b vitamins, protein, starch, oils, mucilage Energetic Correspondences • Flavor: sweet, salty, bitter • Temperature: cool • Moisture: dry (but with secondary moistening properties) • Polarity: yin • Planet: Venus • Element: earth Contraindications Plantain is generally regarded as safe.

Constituents Beta-carotene, b vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium, silicon, zinc histamine, lysine, methionine, lipids, saponins, flavonoids, vanilloside, starch, gluten, alkaloids (trigonelline, avenine), phytosterols (b-sitosterol) • Moisture: moist • Polarity: yin • Planet: Mercury/Mars/Jupiter/Moon/Pluto/Venus • Element: earth Contraindications Those with gluten allergies should use oats with caution.

page 5 of 34 | Next ->

FAIR USE NOTICE: The research quoted here is provided under the protection of Fair Use provisions and published by the 501(c)3 non-profit Consumer Wellness Center for the purposes of public comment and education. Authors / publishers may submit books for consideration of inclusion here.

TERMS OF USE: Read full terms of use. Citations of text from NaturalPedia must include: 1) Full credit to the original author and book title. 2) Secondary credit to the Natural News Naturalpedia as a research resource and a link to www.NaturalNews.com/np/index.html

This unique compilation of research is copyright (c) 2008 by the non-profit Consumer Wellness Center.

ABOUT THE CREATOR OF NATURALPEDIA: Mike Adams, the creator of this NaturalNews Naturalpedia, is the editor of NaturalNews.com, the internet's top natural health news site, creator of the Honest Food Guide (www.HonestFoodGuide.org), a free downloadable consumer food guide based on natural health principles, author of Grocery Warning, The 7 Laws of Nutrition, Natural Health Solutions, and many other books available at www.TruthPublishing.com, creator of the earth-friendly EcoLEDs company (www.EcoLEDs.com) that manufactures energy-efficient LED lighting products, founder of Arial Software (www.ArialSoftware.com), a permission e-mail technology company, creator of the CounterThink Cartoon series (www.NaturalNews.com/index-cartoons.html) and author of over 1,500 articles, interviews, special reports and reference guides available at www.NaturalNews.com. Adams' personal philosophy and health statistics are available at www.HealthRanger.org.