Robert Hass, M.S.
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 The higher the homocysteine readings, said the scientists, the lower the amounts of folic acid and vitamin b6. Since the elderly may have trouble absorbing adequate vitamin B12, many should take a B-complex vitamin supplement.
The Cancer—Heart Disease Connection
Cancer and heart disease may be kissing cousins. One theory holds that the plaque buildup that eventually blocks the blood flow in an artery arises from a tumor in the arterial wall. |
Laurie Deutsch Mozian, M.S., R.D.
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 Homocysteine levels, he found, could be manipulated by adequate intake of folic acid, vitamin b6, and vitamin B12. (Folic acid is a phytonutrient that abounds in leafy green vegetables.) McCully stumbled on his discovery while investigating infants with a rare genetic defect—resulting in elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood. Their cause of death was atherosclerosis, the hardening of the arteries that is usually encountered only in the aged.
McCully hypothesized that homocysteine might damage the arteries and, like elevated cholesterol, cause problems throughout the body. |
the Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing
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 Eat chicken, liver, and other meats to feed your brain vitamin b6. Plant sources of the vitamin include navy beans, sweet potatoes, spinach, and bananas.
Depression can also signal a deficiency in thiamin, also known as vitamin Bl. Stick with whole-wheat breads, meats, black beans, and watermelon to punch up your thiamin levels. These foods might help you feel more clearheaded and energetic.
Iron. Beating the blues might be as easy as eating iron-rich foods if you have iron-deficiency anemia. |
| Getting enough vitamin b6 in your diet may help you avoid these stones, because it works to convert oxalate into other substances in your body. Research indicates that a deficiency of B6 causes an increased risk of kidney stones. Foods high in B6 include avocados, beans, bananas, potatoes, and prunes.
A word of caution
According to recent research, eating fewer foods high in oxalate might help prevent calcium oxalate stones. |
| Mangoes provide healthy amounts of beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin b6, vitamin E, and potassium. Interestingly, while the fruit of the mango tree is beneficial, the leaves are toxic and can kill cattle or other grazing animals.
Mangoes
Eaten a mango lately? Apparently, a lot of people have. More fresh mangoes are
3 ways mangoes keep you healthy
Cuts down cancer. Add a juicy mango to your diet occasionally, and you may help ward off cancer. Mangoes are high in antioxidants, those nutritional powerhouses that help fight off disease. |
| Mangoes also contain vitamin b6, vitamin C, and vitamin E, all important vitamins in making thyroid hormones.
Keeps your memory sharp. If you want to keep your brain fit and help stave off Alzheimer's, make mangoes a regular part of your diet. Scientists have found that the antioxidant vitamins E, C, and beta carotene may help save your memories, and mangoes are a great source of all three. If you're a woman, you'll get 100 percent of your daily requirement for vitamin A (beta carotene), 95 percent of your vitamin C, and almost a third of your vitamin E from eating just one mango. |
The Editors of Prevention Magazine Health Books
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 Still, some doctors recommend 50 milligrams of supplemental vitamin b6 a day for their patients with asthma. And one study by researchers in South Africa found that people taking theophylline, a common asthma drug, along with 15 milligrams of B6 a day were less likely to suffer from the side effects of the drug—irritability, anxiety and faintness. Doses of more than 100 milligrams of B6 a day can cause nerve irritation, so don't take more than that amount without medical supervision. |
Linda B. White, M.D.
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 Magnesium and vitamin b6 also reduce stone formation; include foods rich in these nutrients or take a daily supplement, 50 to 100 milligrams of each per day. In general, people with kidney stones shouldn't take calcium supplements. But if you need the extra calcium, take the citrate form, which is less likely to contribute to stones.
At meals, set a tall, cool glass of water by your plate—and a pitcher from which to refill it. Dehydration can set the stage for stone formation in susceptible people. |
Gary Null, Ph.D.
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 Include a B-complex supplement with approximately 150 mg of vitamin b6, 50 mg of B2, and 15 to 50 mg of Bl.
•Allergy Testing for Problem Foods...Since allergic responses to foods are a major cause of arthritis, skin and blood allergy tests, administered by a complementary physician, can be of value in that they reveal problem foods and chemicals. The foods to which people are highly sensitive must be completely eliminated, at least for a while. Later, some of them can be returned to the diet. |
Attaining Medical Self SufficiencyDuncan Long
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| Blumberg is quick to note that, "Until such studies can be conducted, it would be premature to say that we should all run out and take extra vitamin b6, for example, in order to avoid disease." But certainly there's a lot of evidence that indicates some supplements can be a big plus in otherwise poor diets.
In a trial published in the Nov. 7, 1992 issue of The Lancet, a British medical journal, 96 healthy people, all over 65 years old, were studied. Some had low blood levels of one or more nutrients, though none had any signs of illness or exhibited nutritional deficiencies. |
| As the subjects continued with the new diet, their normal blood levels of vitamin b6 dropped — and their immune system also started to show poor responses to various tests the researchers were using. After the test was over, the Tufts researchers found that just modest supplements of B6 corrected both the deficiency as well as restoring immune functions.106
In the final week of the Tufts study, those involved in the dietary changes received a large dose of B6, nearly 25 times the USRDA. |
the Editors of PREVENTION
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 You should take this amount of vitamin b6 only under medical supervision, however.
Your doctor may also advise you to avoid the foods that increase the level of oxalate (the stone-forming mineral) in your urine— namely spinach and other leafy vegetables, chocolate, tea, nuts, strawberries, rhubarb, and wheat bran. For best results when attempting to treat or prevent kidney stones, Dr. Heron recommends that you consult a naturopathic physician. Self-treating with these preventive measures or the natural remedies that follow without the advice of a medical doctor is not advisable, she says. |
| Evans suggests taking a daily multivitamin along with 50 milligrams of vitamin b6, which is a natural diuretic and hormone balancer. To reduce anxiety and cramps and help promote serotonin production, he recommends 400 milligrams of magnesium daily. (If you have heart or kidney problems, check with your doctor before taking supplemental magnesium.)
That done, you can turn to these herbal remedies to help restore hormone balance. Try them for three full cycles. If they don't work by then, you may want to consult a doctor or professional herbal practitioner. |
Judith Wills
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 In recent years vitamin b6 has been used by nutritionists to help ease PMS, often in conjunction with evening primrose oil, but, in 1997, the UK government banned over-the-counter sales of supplements containing more than 10 mg of B6 (levels up to 50 mg are allowed under medical supervision), as high levels can cause nerve damage.
Some European governments report that damage can occur at levels over 50 mg per day. |
Attaining Medical Self SufficiencyDuncan Long
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| Tests have shown that adults with low levels of vitamin b6 in their bodies also j have lower numbers of antibodies. In one Oregon study, women who took B6 in amounts above the current U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance (USRDA) had immune systems that functioned better than women who only received the USRDA (2 milligrams) of this vitamin.105
In another study, researchers at Tufts University artificially created a deficiency in B6 by feeding older volunteers a specially restricted diet. |
Judith Wills
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| Deficiency can lead to megaloblastic anemia and, along with deficiencies of B6 and B12, can cause high levels of homocysteine, which is linked to coronary heart disease (see vitamin b6 on page 27). About 35% of the US is deficient in folate. Since January 1998 enriched bread, pasta, flour, cereal, crackers, and rice have been fortified with folate.
There are no known toxic effects of high levels, but they may hinder zinc absorption, and the FDA recommends no more than 1,000 pg per day. |
Michael T. Murray, N.D.
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 Nonetheless, many practitioners of natural medicine prescribe ephedra in combination with substances that support the adrenal glands, such as licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and Panax ginseng and/or supplemental levels of vitamin C, magnesium, zinc, vitamin b6, and pantothenic acid.
The old-time herbal treatment of asthma involves the use of ephedra in combination with herbal expectorants. Expectorants modify the quality and quantity of secretions from the respiratory tract, causing the user to spit up the secretions and ultimately improving respiratory tract function. |
Gabriel Cousens, M.D.
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 For this reason, during pregnancy and lactation it is good to increase the vitamin b6 consumption to approximately thirty to fifty milligrams per day. B6 in amounts greater than two hundred milligrams can suppress lactation. A good range for vitamin B3 is thirty to fifty milligrams. The vitamin C need is at least two thousand milligrams per day. The magnesium need is around four hundred milligrams per day, and zinc need is between fifteen and twenty milligrams. About four hundred units of the d-Alpha-tocopherol of vitamin E is needed, and ten thousand units of vitamin A. |
Linda B. White, M.D.
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| Take a good daily B-complex supplement that provides at least 25 to 50 milligrams of vitamin b6, 50 to 100 micrograms of B12, and 400 to 1,000 micrograms of folic acid.
ž Selenium. This mineral helps to maintain normal hormone function; some research suggests it may also brighten moods and help fend off heart disease. Typical dosage: 200 micrograms per day.
ž Acidophilus: These beneficial bacteria work to prevent vaginitis, yeast infections, and cystitis, problems that can crop up more frequently after menopause. |
Gary Null, Ph.D.
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| Supplements that can provide support to the system for overcoming headaches include vitamin b6 and evening primrose oil.
The herb feverfew, magnesium, and ginkgo biloba work to reduce migraine symptoms.
Niacin, as well as omega-3 fatty acids and riboflavin, are other anti-migraine nutrients.
Acupuncture can be an effective migraine treatment.
Chiropractors eliminate subluxations in the upper cervical region, which may result in the elimination of migraines.
To reduce the chance of headaches, don't miss meals, and try to reduce your stress level. |
Linda B. White, M.D.
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| Beef up your B6 intake. vitamin b6 deficiency is common during pregnancy. It could even be causing your nausea. Eat plenty of foods rich in B6, such as nuts, legumes, wheat germ, whole grains, dark green vegetables, meat, and fish. Or take 50 milligrams of a B6 supplement twice per day.
ž Check out hydrochloric acid. It's necessary for normal digestion and helps the body absorb some vitamins. Deficiency is common in the early stages of pregnancy. You might consider a supplement if you get bloated or nauseated after meals, especially those that are high in protein. |
| They reduce the chances for harmful bacteria to proliferate and cause diarrhea; they improve digestion; and they make B vitamins—especially niacin, vitamin b6, and folic acid—much easier to absorb. Often, they can calm an irritated digestive tract.
There are two other ways to get their benefits. You can eat yogurt that contains live cultures (check the label to be sure that it does). Or you can eat more fruits, vegetables, and grains, all of which encourage the growth of probiotic bacteria.
ž Take digestive enzymes. |
| Caution: Discuss your dosage with your doctor, because high doses of vitamin b6 can be toxic. This vitamin also works best in combination with others, so a doctor's advice is doubly crucial.
ž Vitamin C with bioflavonoids. This broad-spectrum nutrient is vital to tissue repair and healing and it can contribute to reducing inflammation. Vitamin C also plays a significant role in connective tissue regeneration. Typical dosage: 1,000 milligrams with each of three meals.
ž Bromelain. |
Alan Keith Tillotson, Ph.D., A.H.G., D.Ay.
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 Take extra magnesium (200^100 mg) and vitamin b6 (100 mg) every day.
• Increase fiber in the diet.
Vaginal Yeast Infections (Candidiasis) / Vaginitis
Vaginal yeast infection results from overgrowth of Candida albicans, a type of yeast normally present in small amounts in the digestive tract, vagina, and mouth. Over the past 20 years, new, more toxic yeast strains have developed as a result of overuse of antibiotics, so these infections have become very common. Symptoms include burning, itching, irritation, and redness around the vaginal opening. |
Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.
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 B6 is lost when seafood is processed.
• 77 percent of the vitamin b6 is lost when vegetables are processed.
• Up to 78 percent of the pantothenic acid (a B vitamin) is lost when foods are processed.
• 86.5 percent of the vitamin E and 50 percent of the molybdenum are lost when wheat is refined.
• 81.7 percent of the manganese, 70.6 percent of the cobalt, and 40 percent of the zinc are lost when spinach is canned.
• 50 percent of the choline is lost when brown rice is refined.
DESIGNER, GENETICALLY ENGINEERED, AND FUNCTIONAL FOODS: CAVE DWELLER'S DREAM OR NIGHTMARE? |
James F. Balch, M.D.
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 Usually that happens in people who don't get enough folic acid, vitamin b6 (pyridoxine), and vitamin B12, which are needed to complete the conversion to cysteine. Too much homocysteine directly damages the artery and its endothelium. Abnormal homocysteine levels are found in about 40 percent of all patients with heart disease. The solution is to take 400 micrograms of folic acid, 100 milligrams of B6, and 1,000 micrograms of B12 each day.
Low Antioxidant Levels
Low antioxidant levels have consistently been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. |
| For those who are deficient in folic acid, vitamin b6 (pyridoxine), or vitamin B12, there will be an associated elevation of homocysteine. Homocysteine has been implicated in the formation of atherosclerosis, directly damaging the artery and affecting the blood-vessel wall, interfering with the formation of collagen.
Elevated homocysteine levels are a definite independent risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and other vascular disorders. Abnormal homocysteine levels are found in nearly 40 percent of patients with heart disease.
Taken from R. Clarke et al. |
Attaining Medical Self SufficiencyDuncan Long
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| The supplement provided vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin b6, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, and iodine in amounts determined by the Canadian government's recommended intakes; the supplements also contained 16 mg of beta-carotene and 44 mg of vitamin E, both amounts substantially higher than the current recommendations.
At the end of the tests, the group getting supplements showed improvement in their immune functions. |
J. E. Williams, O.M.D.
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 It acts as a coenzyme necessary for normal energy metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and it helps to activate vitamin b6 and convert niacin (B3) into a form more easily utilized by the body.
Among its numerous other functions, vitamin B2 has antioxidant activity and assists the function of vitamin E. Low levels of riboflavin can result in reduced antibody production, leading to reduced immunity. It is found in organ meats, like liver, and in all red meat, eggs, and dairy products. |
| It combines with NAC to promote glutathione synthesis and is synergistic with vitamin b6 and magnesium. Though healthy people do not need glutamine supplementation, it is useful for general immune weakness and for those losing muscle mass due to illness.
Therapeutic dosages can be as high as 40 g per day, but a basic range is from 500-2,000 mg. During periods of stress, when you are engaging in heavy exercise, and/or treating bowel disease, the dosage can climb upward to 4,000-8,000 mg (4-8 g). The optimal dosage is not yet known, but there are no toxic side effects. |
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