Vitamins Deficiencies

Many of us think of nutritional deficiencies in terms of an inadequate diet.  This is often the case.   According to Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D., the leading nutritional problem in the US today is that many of us eat too many “empty calorie foods”.  It is not that we do not eat enough food, but instead, we don’t eat enough of the right kinds of foods.  It is now felt that it is the consumption of a majority of inappropriate foods that lead to nutritional deficiencies in the body.

There are, however, other ways in which the body exhausts its valuable supply of chemical elements.  Excessive mental work, for example, can deplete the brain, nerves and glands.  Stress can wreak havoc on our immune system.  Toxins can to build up in our bodies, leading to chemical depletion.  We can simply neglect our bodies or forget to get enough fresh air, sunshine and exercise.  Any abuse or overwork to our bodies, in addition to any inherent weakness we may have, can leave us with nutritional deficiencies.

Once the body is depleted of its needed chemical elements, the breakdown of tissue beings to occur.  It is typically followed by the gradual accumulation of toxic materials in the tissue.  Once nutritional deficiencies have weakened a particular organ, gland or tissue, toxic material begins to accumulate because they have no power or energy left to throw it off.

Symptoms of ill health are the consequence of nutritional deficiencies and chemical imbalances in the body.  Deficiencies may not express themselves as symptoms for quite some time. Typically, the first symptom of disease to appear is fatigue. Next, we may get frequent infections, colds and the flu.  Many times symptoms are taken for granted as a natural sign of aging.  When left unchecked, however, these same deficiencies can contribute to chronic disease such as arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis. 

The appearance of symptoms marks the clinical stage of a disease.  When the skin becomes dry, when we have pain in the shoulder, when we have excessive bloating, gas, constipation or diarrhea each tell us that something is wrong.

Scientists now recognize that even mild nutritional deficiencies and biochemical imbalances can create subtle symptoms of disease. Although there IS a point of no return in tissue damage caused by severe long-term deficiencies, it is surprising to see how well the body responds to nutritional correction.  It has been found that with nutritional supplementation and dietary improvements, you can work toward the remission of symptoms and the reversal of the disease process.  As the chemical signs of deficiency are eased, it has been found that many of the sub-clinical symptoms being experienced are alleviated.

Prevention of chemical depletion is the key to optimal health.  Even in cases of AIDS, people don’t die from AIDS proper.  They die from AIDS related diseases.  In other words, they die from weaknesses in the body.  The same holds true for individuals with Cancer.  Currently the only cure western medicine has for cancer is chemotherapy, radiation or cutting it out.  What they do not realize is that anyone with cancer also has many other conditions that should be taken care of.  Such a person will never be truly “cured” until integrity is restored to the rest of the inherently weak tissues that have toxic settlements and mineral deficiencies.

  Cowboy up

The supplement, Deplin, that is prescribed by my pdoc is meant to make up for the brain's inability to utilize folate so that we need more of it.  Supposed to help antidepressants be more effective.  I don't know that I can tell the difference but my son takes it also and he says it does help him.

Great topic AK  and Garen, here is some specific info that may help you and all.

The Nutrition Connection:
Chronic stress, poor diet, and certain medical conditions can deplete the body’s stores of vital nutrients. Many of those who suffer from agoraphobia are deficient in certain B complex vitamins, and this may be the case for other anxiety-related conditions as well. Symptoms of vitamin B deficiency may include:

• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Emotional instability

If a vitamin deficiency is an underlying contributing factor to anxiety and/or panic disorder, supplementation may be beneficial.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Symptoms of thiamine deficiency can include agitation, fearfulness, and psychosomatic complaints. Thiamine deficiency can cause anxiety in people who are not prone to it by nature. Natural sources of B1 include:

• Beef
• Milk
• Oats
• Nuts and seeds
• Lentils and beans
• Brewer’s yeast
• Oranges
• Pork
• Brown rice
• Whole grain cereals and breads

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

While this B vitamin isn’t directly implicated in anxiety reactions, because B vitamins work synergistically, getting sufficient riboflavin is important for ensuring that other B vitamins are effective. Natural sources of riboflavin include:

• Dairy products
• Meats and liver
• Eggs
• Broccoli and asparagus

Light exposure can destroy riboflavin, so opaque containers are preferable to glass bottles for dairy products.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin/Niacinamide)

In animal studies, Niacinamide has provided benefits similar to a benzodiazepine reducing aggressiveness and inducing muscle relaxation. For people, this supplement is particularly effective when anxiety may be related to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can cause the body to release adrenaline to prevent fainting. This adrenaline release may trigger the “fight or flight” response, which can cause a panic attack in susceptible individuals.

Natural sources of B3 include:

• Meat
• Fish
• Eggs
• Milk
• Yeast
• Green vegetables
• Cereal grains

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Pantothenic acid supports the adrenal glands and may help deal with stress. Natural sources include:

• Fish (especially cod and tuna)
• Chicken
• Eggs
• Dairy products
• Broccoli
• Lentils and peas
• Avocados
• Sweet potatoes
• Mushrooms
• Whole wheat bread

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal Phosphate)

Vitamin B6 is required to synthesize Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), which helps to regulate anxiety. As such, B6 deficiency may cause heightened anxiety. B6 is also involved in converting tryptophan to serotonin, the latter of which affects both anxiety and overall mood.

• Cereal grains
• Vegetables such as peas, spinach, carrots, and potatoes
• Cereal grains and flour
• Dairy products
• Eggs
• Fish
• Meat
• Liver

Vitamin B8 (Inositol)

A study of 21 patients who suffered from panic disorder and in some cases agoraphobia as well found that those taking Inositol achieved a significant reduction in both severity and frequency of panic attacks and agoraphobia symptoms compared to the placebo group. However, there hasn’t been enough research conducted to confirm B8’s efficacy in treating anxiety. Natural sources of Inositol include:

• Brewer’s yeast
• Wheat germ
• Liver
• Brown rice
• Bananas
• Oat flakes
• Vegetables
• Raisins
• Unrefined molasses

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

Vitamin B12 helps maintain the health of nerve cells, and those deficient in it are inclined to experience heightened anxiety. Natural sources of B12 include:

• Clams and molluscs
• Beef
• Fortified cereals
• Fish (trout, salmon, tuna)
• Dairy products
• Eggs
• Chicken

Those who wish to increase B vitamins in their diet should only eat unprocessed, unrefined, fresh foods. Converting whole wheat flour to white flour, and brown rice to white rice, strips out most of the vitamins and minerals. Canning and freezing can also significantly diminish vital nutrients.

Supplements

The ideal dose of vitamin B will vary from person to person, so consulting a medical practitioner to establish the right dose is recommended. Generally, the dose to help mitigate anxiety symptoms will be 50-100 mg, which is higher than the dose contained in most multivitamins. Large doses of vitamin B can turn urine bright yellow after a couple of hours. This is perfectly natural and nothing to worry about.

B vitamins should be taken in a complex rather than individually because they work together, and should be consumed with meals to ensure that they are properly broken down and assimilated by digestive enzymes. B vitamins should not be taken in the evening, as they may cause insomnia. ^{References: Bourne, Edmund J., PhD. (2005); Higdon, Jane, PhD., Linus Pauling Institute.,(2008); The Mayo Clinic. (20 June 2008).}

Step right up and get your vitamins.

Good Eating to All

Kitt

 

What a ton of great info you all! Thank you and I'll be saving this to my favorites as well :) Riboflavin, riboflavin, ribloflavin, fribroflavin, flavin. . . You are right Lil Nikki, it is hard to say, lol :) I swear I have not hit the sauce my friends! Really! :)

Garen, taking vitamins and more than that, just eating good makes a person feel great! I recently slipped after the holidays and started getting quick meals/fast food and it made me feel real bad and messed up my digestion and everything. I'm so glad that I quit being so lazy and now I'm picking up back to being me again :) It was a good experiment though with the good vs bad foods thing, but I don't think I want to "guinea pig" myself again, lol :) I'm not a lab rat and will not mess with my diet again :) I've noticed getting a bit older that I'm not a teen or in my twenties anymore, and I just can't eat like that no more. . . I'll miss my french fries and greasy burgers though :)