Best Vitamin B12 Foods

Protect Your Health and Say Goodbye to B12 Deficiency

There have been a lot of concerns about vitamin B12 deficiency as of late. This little vitamin is needed for normal nerve cell function, DNA function and making SAMe, a mood enhancing chemical.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

A deficiency has been shown to cause the following symptoms:

• Loss of appetite
• Sore mouth
• Nerve disorders
• Brain disorders
• Nausea
• Weight loss
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Depression

The list goes on and on. This little vitamin is crucial for your health and well-being, but getting it into your body can be difficult for many people today.

The Best Vitamin B12 Foods

With all that said, let's have a look at some of the best vitamin B12 foods that exist today and how you can get it from other sources as well.

Here are a few of the best vitamin B12 foods:

• Calf's liver
• Venison
• Salmon
• Beef
• Lamb loin
• Shrimp
• Halibut
• Yogurt

Many people do not especially enjoy many of these foods and sometimes there can be an issue with getting enough B12 even from these sources.

One of the best ways to guarantee that you will never be deficient in vitamin B12 and run into any health problems is to take a multivitamin supplement.

Why a multivitamin if you only need B12? Because researchers have discovered that a large amount of people today are deficient in many different nutrients, it's not just B12 that people are having trouble with.

I highly suggest that you do a bit of your own exploring and learn more about what you can do to improve your health. There are a lot of simple tricks and methods that can help you live a healthier and happier life.

Taking care of your body and giving it what it needs is one of the first steps you should take if you want to avoid health problems and depression down the road.

By Henri K. Junttila

The Health Benefits of Vitamin B1

Learn More About the Health Benefits of Vitamin B1

Vitamin B1 is also known as thiamine. It is, like any vitamin, crucial to your body. With the majority of people today eating a very unhealthy diet and living an unhealthy lifestyle-more and more people are becoming deficient and dangerously low in many nutrients.

This has been confirmed by researchers and scientists from all around the world. We need to start eating healthier and exercising. Many doctors also recommend that everyone take a daily multivitamin to cover their bases and ensure that no nutritional deficiencies are present.

With all that said, here are some of the health benefits of vitamin B1:

• Powerful antioxidant
• Has anti-aging properties
• Reduces the damage done by alcohol and smoking
• Aids in healthy digestion
• May prevent Alzheimer's disease
• Improves memory
• Used to treat nervous disorders
• Important for enzyme function

There are, of course, many more benefits of vitamin B1 that I have listed here. All of the vitamins and minerals have big lists of benefits.

Most of the vitamins are present in healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains and fish. This is why they are called healthy foods.

Vitamin B1 can be found in beans, lentils, sunflower seeds and tuna. I personally like taking a multivitamin supplement that not only contains vitamin B1, but also all the other nutrients that are required for proper and vibrant health.

Finding a high-quality health supplement is very easy in this day and age. You can go online and do your research and educate yourself on what is beneficial for your body. In the end, it is you who has to decide what you want to do.

There have been many studies done in the past few years that are confirming the amazing benefits of getting the right nutrients into your body. One of the best ways to do this and take advantage of these health benefits is to use a pharmaceutical grade multivitamin supplement.

By Henri K. Junttila

Nutritional Supplement Review

Discover the Truth About Multi-Vitamin Products

Nowadays, you can easily go online and read a nutritional supplement review, but are they really providing you with the best information available? Only you can know the truth, which is why you have to educate and discover for yourself what is right and what is not.

There have been a lot of advances made in nutritional science, which is why reading a really good nutritional supplement review can be beneficial, the only trouble is finding one.

With all that said, how do you know if a nutritional supplement review is trustworthy?

What to Look for in a Nutritional Supplement Review

The first thing you want to look at is that their claims are backed up by scientific studies and clinical trials. I'm not saying that every nutritional supplement review that you read has to be backed up by anything.

I'm just saying that is easier for you to know if a nutritional supplement review is good when you can see that they have done their research.

The next thing you want to look at is what they are comparing against. You want to see high-quality products being compared to each other. It might be hard to know which ones are high-quality when you're just starting out.

Don't worry though, by doing your own research and educating yourself about what is going on, you can start finding really high quality, pharmaceutical grade supplements.

The Sad Truth About Most Supplements

Many products today contain chemicals and additives that you want to avoid at all costs. These are used because they are cheap and bring down the manufacturing costs.

But not all companies use these manufacturing methods, which is why it is important to find something that is both natural and effective.

By knowing what is really going on out there, your less likely to believe the marketing and advertising that is going on out there. I love supplements, but there are a lot of products out there that do not provide any health benefits.

By Henri K. Junttila

The Types of Vitamin B

The Nine Different Types of Vitamin B

Vitamin B has many benefits for the body and within the Vitamin B category there are nine different sub categories that each have a specific purpose in the body. The nine categories are: B1 B2 B3 B5 B6 B7 B9 B12 and B15.

B1

This is the one that helps us to have more energy and regulate our blood sugar level. The lack of this vitamin can cause cardiovascular problems such as your arms and legs falling asleep and tightness of the chest as well as neurological issues such as tiredness, loss of concentration, irritability and depression. You can find vitamin B1 in: meat, fish, nuts, and whole grain cereals.

B2

Aside from also increasing our energy levels, it also helps our eyes and skin. A lack in vitamin B2 manifests itself as skin, mucous membrane and eyes lesions. It is found in milk and other dairy products, almonds, green vegetables and mushrooms.

B3

Vitamin B3 controls our cholesterol and helps process sugar. It is difficult to find a deficiency in this vitamin. It is found in meat, fish and peanuts.

B5

Vitamin B5 helps metabolize proteins, sugars and fats. A deficiency of this vitamin can cause lack of focus, apathy, allergies and low energy levels in general. This vitamin is found in almost all foods but whole grains and eggs are the best sources.

B6

This vitamin supports helping major neurotransmitters in the production of red cells. It is found in almost all foods of both animal and vegetable origin, so it is very rare to find a deficiency in this vitamin. It is found in meats, poultry, fish, avocados, bananas, nuts, soy, whole grains and in some vegetables.

B7

This vitamin helps cell growth, metabolize fatty acids and to maintain blood sugar levels. A lack of vitamin B7 can cause problems with skin, hair, nervousness, loss of appetite and vomiting. You can find it in dairy products, salmon, oysters, yeast, cauliflower, chicken and egg yolks.

B9

Vitamin B9 helps the nervous system and in the production of new cells. A lack of this vitamin can cause anemia, weakness, weight loss, palpitations, diarrhea and depression. It is found in liver and kidneys, all green vegetables especially spinach, avocado and fortified cereals.

B12

Vitamin B12 is necessary in the production of red blood cells, brain cells and genetic material or DNA. A lack of this vitamin primarily leads to anemia and can be found in meats, liver, eggs, milk and yeast.

B15

The essence of vitamin B15 to improve oxygenation of tissues, increase resistance to fatigue and help accelerate the body's recovery process. It also protects against pollution as it has detoxifying effects. It is recommended for those suffering from respiratory problems like asthma or chronic bronchitis. A deficiency in vitamin B15 causes glandular and nervous disorders, heart disease and decreased oxygenation of tissues. It can be found in apricot seeds, rice, grains, sesame and horse liver.

By Marc D.

The Important Function of Vitamin D

What Does Vitamin D Do For You?

What is vitamin D? It is fat-soluble (it is stored in fatty tissues and stays in your body longer) vitamin that we need to keep normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in our blood. The main thing we know about vitamin D is that it helps to keep our bones strong. A recent study showed that getting enough vitamin D may prevent diabetes. Further studies have shown that most Americans don't get enough vitamin D.

How can we make sure we get enough vitamin D? The sun is a good source of vitamin D. When you are out in the sun, your body naturally produces vitamin D. While you are out in the sun, make sure you use a good sunscreen to prevent burns. Get as much exposure to the sun as you possibly can. Why? Our bodies naturally produce vitamin D when we are exposed to the sun. If you have limited exposure with the sun, whether it is because you work indoors or live somewhere that does not get a lot of sun, you should make sure to eat foods that are good sources of vitamin D. It is also in many of our foods. Some of our foods milk, yogurt, breakfast cereal, and breads are fortified with vitamin D. It also occurs naturally in salmon, tuna, and eggs. It is recommended that you should get at least 1,000 IUs of vitamin D daily in addition to getting exposure to the sun. Your body will not over produce vitamin D.

If you don't get enough vitamin D due to limited sun exposure or not eating enough foods with vitamin D in them, you can take a multivitamin. Multivitamins are a good way of getting enough vitamins and minerals that we may be lacking in our diets. What happens if you don't get enough vitamin D in your diet? There are three common bone softening disease that can happen because of not getting enough vitamin D: Rickets, Osteomalacia, and Osteoporosis. Rickets is a disease mostly seen in children. It causes the bones in the body to not grow and become deformed. Osteomalacia is a disorder that occurs in adults. It is caused by muscle weakness and fragile bones. Osteoporosis is when the bones become less dense and more fragile. However, recent studies are showing that vitamin D can also protect us from high blood pressure, cancer, chronic pain, and depression.

Studies are showing that men may not be getting the amounts of vitamin D like they did in the past. Men who have low levels of vitamin D are more likely to have a heart attack. Women who can become pregnant or are pregnant should make sure they are getting enough vitamin D. Women who take a multivitamin with proper amounts of vitamin D in it are more likely to have children with stronger bones. Vitamin D helps improve the outcomes of pregnancy. Women who get proper amounts of vitamin D while pregnant decrease the risk of health problems later on in life for the child.

Vitamin D is an important vitamin, so important that our body naturally produces it when we are in the sun. Make sure you are getting proper amounts of vitamin D each day by taking a good multivitamin supplement.

By Gerald Fitz

Baby's Vitamins

Ensure Your Baby's Health With Vitamins

One of the most exciting times in a woman's life is finding that there will be a new life coming their way in nine months. Although pregnancy is a wonderful phase, it can also be very tricky to ensure the mother-to-be and baby's health. Doctors and nutritionists alike believe that taking vitamins and supplements while pregnant can ensure optimum health for the growing child and mother.

Why take vitamins during pregnancy?

When women find out they are pregnant, it's very likely that they can be weeks or even months along in gestation. While the body is preparing for the birth, the nutritional intake of the mother often stays the same. Therefore, to ensure that the mother and baby's nutritional needs are met and the baby hits all its developmental key milestones (in relation to growth and formation) during the pregnancy, vitamins are an essential part of the mother's health regime.

Which vitamins are best to take?

Before conception and in the early stages of pregnancy it is recommended to take 400 micrograms of folate or folic acid. This supplement is crucial for the baby's brain and spinal development and is said to prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida by up to 70%.

Another important supplement to consider taking while pregnant is iodine. This essential vitamin helps to develop your baby's nervous system, plays an important role in regulating your thyroid glands and in producing the thyroid hormone thyroxine, which regulates your metabolism.

As the baby grows into the later months, the blood supply will be increased and therefore anaemia can set in. To avoid this, organic iron supplements such as iron amino acid chelate can be beneficial, as is calcium, as the baby's bones are forming and will require the additional nutrients. If additional supplements are required, look for ones that also contain vitamin C as it aids in absorption. A non-acidic vitamin C such as calcium ascorbate is more gentle on the stomach.

It can sometimes be difficult to maintain a balanced diet fit for pregnancy due to nutritional choices (being vegetarian or vegan), allergies or just not having the time. In these cases, a multi-vitamin can lift the mother's nutritional intake. However, choosing a pregnancy multi-vitamin as opposed to a regular woman's multi-vitamin is preferred as they often contain more iron and folate and have lower levels of vitamin A which can be potentially harmful to the unborn child.

Finally, it is important throughout the pregnancy to listen to your doctor and your body. Not only is your body going through an immense change, but so is the baby. The nutritional plan that is followed during the pregnancy can often impact the baby, not only whilst in the womb, but for years to come. Make sure that every effort is taken to adhere to the doctor's advice and follow a well balanced, healthy diet and vitamin supplement plan.

By Ralph Lauren

Hair Vitamins

Do They Really Work?

So everywhere your turn some company has made a vitamin for something. Weight loss, arthritis, calorie burning and hair growth just to name a few, I don't know about you but I have to see it to believe it and the only way to do that is by using science to prove that it works. This is where most of the vitamins fall short they talk the talk but they can't walk the walk. So my objective is to choose one type of vitamin and see if it really works by using scientific reasoning and the power of deduction, I know sounds fun right.

Lets take a look at hair nutrition vitamins they claim to help your hair grow faster stronger and become more healthy so I am going to test their claims by breaking down the ingredients and tell you exactly what each one does and if it will help you.

Here are the ingredients taken directly off the bottle, after tons of research here is what I found about each one.

* Niacin - Naturally decreases the amount of sebum which can clog pores and slow or stop the growth of hair.
* Vitamin B-12 - Speeds up the production of healthy fats and energy, while supplying nutrients to the body.
* Panthonenic Acid - Is an essential fatty acid that helps metabolize proteins.
* Iodine - Gets absorbed into the blood and converted into a hormone.
* Maganese Gluconate - Acts as a carrier for the other ingredients.
* Folic Acid - Helps stimulate rapid cell division to help hair cells replicate faster.
* Biotin - Helps the body convert fatty acids into nutrients.
* Chlorophyll - Helps the body absorb nutrients.
* Zinc Oxide - An essential nutrient for the body.
* PABA - Helps balance out any disorders in the scalp.

Those were the main active ingredients overall they tested really well and there were no signs of any fillers or unnecessary ingredients. Next is a list of the secondary essential amino acid ingredients.

* L - Isoleucine - Gets converted into a fatty acid.
* L - Arginine - Helps with the division of cells.
* L - Leucine - Increases protein production.
* L - Lysine - Is converted into a protein to help the body grow and mend itself.
* L - Methionine - Is a carrier for certain hormones.
* L - Phenylalanine - Helps stimulate the circulatory system, which can increase blood flow.
* L - Threonine - Helps convert enzymes.
* L - Valine - Helps form proteins that the human body cannot create on its own.
* L - Cystine - Helps form the base structure of most proteins.
* L - Aspartic Acid - Regulates biosynthisis.
* L - Serine - A main component of silk protein.
* L - Glutamin Acid - Stimulates the nervous system.
* L - Proline - Is the main component in cellular metabolism.
* L - Glycine - Is a precursor to the development of proteins.
* L - Alanine - Regulates the function between your liver and other tissue.
* L - Tyrosine - Reduces stress hormones.
* L - Histidine - Helps increase zinc production which helps your body absorb more nutrients.

Overall after looking through the ingredients everything seemed to add up. All of the ingredients are there to make a good vitamin that will help your hair grow faster. So I did what any questioning person would do... I tested it. From April 09 - July 09 (3 months) my hair grew 2.78 inches on average with no supplements. So I started taking the hair nutrition vitamins on August 1st 09 and by October 1st my hair had already grown 2.59 inches (with the vitamins), so in just 2 months my hair grew almost what it had been in the previous three months. So in my findings it really worked well. It made my hair grow 2/3's faster than it would normally grow, if you ask me that is pretty impressive.

By Tim Faber

Vitamin and Herbal Supplements

Should We Or Should We Not Take Supplements?

A vitamin and herbal supplement is taken purely to optimize your health and performance. Especially in today's times whereby everyone is living in the fast lane and slowly but surely we are all burning out fast and furiously.

Most people that take vitamin or herbal vitamin replacements have no idea why they are taking them or what the end results may be. It has become a fashion to take this and that herb vitamin. You watch TV and see that a new product's promises to do all kinds of things for you like increase and boost your energy levels and improve your immune system etc.

But do these products really deliver and do they improve your health. Unfortunately I have to say yes - living in the fast lane promotes the taking of additional supplements as we do not have the time or patients to eat correctly and rest when the body has had enough.

Generally people are becoming more aware of becoming healthy and changing their lifestyles. There has been a notable increase in heart disease as well as cancer. This is due to pushing the body on an empty tank and not refuelling till we virtually drop. It is a case of - well I feel Ok - and then it's too late. We all fall into this trap some time or other.

Although I am saying take supplements to complement your health which will partially elevate your symptoms; but the first and foremost thing you need to do is look at what and how you are eating. Supplements will only enhance proper nutrition to the body. Imagine if we were able to take pills and not eat; life would not be worth much would it - that is why we have taste buds to enjoy the different tastes we experience when eating food.

This is what supplements do - they help you overcome any deficiency you may have and provide the correct amount of vitamins and trace elements the body require. These pills or herbs can help boost the immune system and give your body more fight against diseases. Especially smokers which need to take vitamin C as smoking depletes your natural resources.

By taking supplements you are in fact eliminating your body of waste products like harmful toxins that are taken in on a daily if not hourly basis. The use of drugs and harmful substances deplete the body of its natural vitamins - Hemp is known to absorb you natural vitamins from your body and leave you feeling rather limp.

So by taking additional supplements as well as a healthy diet of fresh fruit and vegetables you will not only optimize your health but also minimize the risk of getting ill. When you are on top form and your body is functioning normally; you will perform better all round; at work and at home. Go online for more information and find out how you can benefit from an additional vitamin and herbal supplement.

By Richard Hairston