Sleeping pills are not remedy for sleeplessness. They are habit forming and become less effective when taken continuously. They lower the I.Q. and dull the brain. To overcome the problem, the older person should adhere to a regular sleeping schedule, going to bed at a fixed time each night and getting up at a fixed time each morning. Early to bed and early to rise is a good rule. Two hours of sleep before midnight are more beneficial than four hours after.

Research has shown that people with chronic insomnia almost invariably have marked deficiencies of such key nutrients as B complex vitamins, and Vitamin C and D as also calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc. The sleep mechanism is unable to function efficiently unless each of these nutrients is present in adequate amounts in the diet.

A balanced diet with simple modification in the eating pattern will go a long way in the treatment of insomnia. Such a diet should exclude white flour products, sugar and its products, tea, coffee, chocolate, cola drinks, alcohol, fatty foods, fried foods, foods containing additives, excessive use of salt and strong condiments.

In the modified eating pattern, breakfast should consist of fresh and dried fruits, seeds and milk or yogurt. Of the two main meals, one should consist of a large mixed salad of raw vegetables and the other should be protein based. A cup of milk sweetened with honey at bedtime is helpful as the amino-acid tryptophan contained in milk induces sleep.

Certain home remedies have been found beneficial in the treatment of insomnia. One of the most effective of these remedies is the use of lettuce. The juice of this plant has been likened in effect to the sedative action of opium without the accompanying excitement. The seeds of lettuce in decoction form are also useful in insomnia.

The mixture of bottle gourd juice and sesame oil acts as an effective medicine for insomnia. It should be massaged over scalp every night. The cooked leaves of bottle gourd taken as a vegetable are also beneficial in the treatment of this disease.
A tea made from aniseed is valuable in sleeplessness. This tea is prepared by boiling about 375 ml. of water in a vessel and adding a teaspoon of aniseed. The water should be covered with a lid and allowed to simmer for 15 minutes. It should then be strained and drunk hot or warm. The tea may be sweetened with honey and hot milk may also be added to it. This tea should be taken after meals or before going to bed.

Another effective remedy for insomnia is the use of honey. It has hypnotic action in bringing sound sleep. It should be taken with water, before going to bed, in doses of two teaspoons in a cup of water. People generally fall asleep after taking honey.
Controlled breathing is a great help in inducing sleep. The method is to lie on your side in bed and then take three deep breaths expanding the abdomen completely. Then hold your breath as long as you can. Next, take three more breaths and repeat the breath-holding. While you hold breath, carbon dioxide accumulates in the body and induces natural sleep.

Regular active exercise during the day and mild exercise at bedtime enhances the quantity and the quality of sleep. Exercise stimulates the elimination of lactic acid from the body which co-relates with stress and muscular tension. Regular exercise also produces hormonal changes which are beneficial to the body and to the sleep pattern. Walking, jogging, swimming are all ideal exercises.

Krishan Bakhru is a editor and consultant of natural home remedies

When most people think of Breast enlargement, what comes to mind is usually basic information that’s not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there’s a lot more to Breast enlargement than just the basics.

Most people have heard of breast implants for breast enlargement. This is becoming an increasingly accepted procedure, and many women are happy with the results. However, there are several disadvantages to breast enlargement surgery. As with any surgical procedure, there is pain and scarring. You may need recovery time before resuming daily activies. In addition, there are always risks associated with surgery. Often the cost of performing surgical breast enlargement is too high.

For those who want breast enlargement but don’t want implants, there are other options to consider. Some natural breast enlargement methods use creams or pills. Other breast enlargement methods utilize herbal remedies or non-surgical devices. For those who want breast enlargement without surgery, these are all options worth looking into.

Is everything making sense so far? If not, I’m sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.

Individuals desire breast enlargement for a variety of reasons. One common reason is to look better. Feeling good about your looks can build self-confidence. Breast enlargement can help if you are uncomfortable with your breast size, but it isn’t a total answer to low self-esteem. Usually the people happiest with breast enlargement are those who already feel good about themselves. Breast enlargement works well with those who are seeking to improve themselves physically in just this one area. If you have other issues with self-esteem, breast enlargement will not solve all your problems.

If you think that breast enlargement would help you to feel better about yourself, it is worth looking into. Check out all the options, including natural breast enlargement methods. You might be glad you did.

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L-Theanine, naturally occurring in green tea, proves effective in dealing with anxiety symptoms and providing anxiety relief

Anxiety is a state of intense fear, uncertainty, uneasiness, or apprehension due to anticipation of an imagined or real threatening future event. Anxiety can be both physically and psychologically devastating to the Anxiety sufferer’s life. Anxiety is often sub-categorized according to the focus of the perceived threat. There is social anxiety, separation anxiety, dating anxiety, performance anxiety, math anxiety, etc. Stress and anxiety often go hand in hand and can result in anxiety depression as the individual feels powerless to receive any anxiety help.

There are a variety of anti-anxiety treatments to consider in overcoming anxiety. For some, anxiety medications prove to be a source of anxiety relief. Other’s prefer not to use any of the anti-anxiety drugs and opt for more natural cures for anxiety management. These may include herbs for anxiety, acupuncture anxiety treatments, anxiety vitamins, aromatherapy for anxiety relief, even hypnosis has has proved beneficial overcoming anxiety.

This article discusses the perhaps little known amino acid L-Theanine as a natural remedy for anxiety relief.

L-Theanine is a unique free form amino acid found only in the tea plant and in the mushrooms Xerocomus badius and certain species of genus Camellia, C. japonica and C. sasanqua. Often drinkers of green tea report a feeling of calmness they feel after ingesting a cup or two even though green tea has roughly half the caffeine of coffee. This is due to the high L-Theanine content.

In addition to reducing anxiety symptoms, studies have shown L-Theanine may be effective in promoting concentration, supporting the immune system, improving learning performance, lowering blood pressure, increasing formation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, and increasing brain dopamine levels among other positive benefits with no known downside.

Studies in cooperation with Taiyo Kagaku Co., The University of Shizuoka, and The Family Planning Institute of Japan have shown that women taking 200 mg L-Theanine daily have lower incidence of PMS symptoms. These symptoms include physical, mental, and social symptoms. Overall, a significant alleviation of PMS symptoms by L-Theanine was observed.

While still under investigation, L-Theanine appears to have a role in the formation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA). GABA blocks release of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, playing a key role in the relaxation effect.

Everyone knows the effects stress and anxiety can have on an individual’s physical state of well-being. Fascinating neurochemistry research has revealed that given a shot of GABA essentially turned back the clocks in the brains of older monkeys, whose brain function briefly operated at levels normally seen in monkeys less than half their age.

GABA, or gamma-amino butyric acid, is a neurotransmitter chemical that is essential for optimizing how brain cells transmit messages to each other and acts to put a damper on unwanted brain signaling activity. Although GABA’s age-related decline has not been documented in humans, a host of studies in mammals, including other primates, suggests that a similar process is at work in people.

Monkeys ages 26 and 32 — considered old age for monkeys — that got GABA directly delivered to their neurons responded to visual patterns, such as flashing vertical and horizontal lines, in much the same way as monkeys aged 7 to 9 years old did.

Without GABA delivery, the monkeys’ aged brains had more difficulty firing neurons that specifically gauge various aspects of depth perception, motion and color. Instead, older monkeys have more random firings that make it difficult to observe visual nuances. In younger monkeys, GABA had no effect since their brains already had optimal GABA functioning.

L-Theanine is considered to be safe based on its historical use as a component of tea and on favorable toxicology studies. Tea is the most consumed beverage worldwide after water, and has been consumed for thousands of years by billions of people. It is estimated that a heavy tea drinker (6-8 cups daily) will consume between 200 to 400 mg of L-Theanine daily.

While dosage for depression and anxiety disorder remain individual, it is recommended to take 100 to 200 mg 1 to 3 times daily for anxiety relief. Based on the results of clinical studies, it has been established that L-Theanine is effective in single dosages in the range of 50-200 mg. It is suggested that subjects with higher levels of anxiety take a dose at the higher end of the effective range (100 – 200 mg) for overcoming anxiety.

Post by Steve Adair, independent researcher, freelance writer and vitamin and nutritional supplement consultant to VitaminCountry.com. More information available on Anxiety and Overcoming Anxiety available at www.health.newlivingmedia.com.

Distributed by www.newlivingmedia.com.

Spring is well under way and summer is fast approaching. It’s time for kids to take out their roller blades for carefree treks down boardwalks and sidewalks. Dads will rummage through closets for dormant baseball caps and to see if last year’s uniform still fits. If not playing ball he’ll watch from the sidelines, or from the comfort of his favorite chair. Moms, time to don old jeans, stock up on sunscreen, and get out the fishing poles. You heard me, ladies. Fishing poles! It’s time to fight back!

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), stroke is the third leading cause of death in women. Every year an estimated 97,000 American women will die as a result of stroke. Statistically, every 53 seconds stroke will victimize someone in America. Of an estimated 600,000 stroke victims each year about 160,000 die as a result. There is, however, an easy way to drastically reduce these statistics.

Findings in a 14-year-long study of nearly 80,000 American women indicate that eating a 3.5 ounce serving of fish, two to four times a week, lowers stroke risk by 27 percent. The more fish consumed, the more impressive the percentages. Although few large-scale studies have examined this particular issue in men, experts say there is no biological reason results of such studies would differ.

The American Medical Association (AMA) published the study results in their January journal, 2001. There is conclusive evidence that consumption of fish high in omega 3 fatty acids hold significant health benefits, including reduced thrombotic infarction — a type of stroke where a blood clot blocks an artery in the brain, resulting in destroyed brain tissue. (Blood clots are responsible for more than 80 percent of all strokes.)

Fish are a high source of omega 3 fatty acids, nutrients that help prevent the formation of clots, or "platelet clumping." They do this by making blood less "sticky." As a result, risk of thrombotic stroke is lessened, as well as risk of embolic stroke, where the clot forms elsewhere in the body before traveling to the brain.

Conducted at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, the study revealed that women who ate fish once a week reduced stoke risk by 22 percent; two to four times a week by 27 percent, and five or more times a week by 52 percent. Unfortunately, the average American woman only consumes about 1.3 servings of any type seafood weekly, at an average of 3.5 ounces per serving. Women are not eating enough fish!

Penny Kris Etherton, Ph.D., a heart disease researcher at the State University in Pennsylvania, has long extolled the virtues of eating fish for health purposes. "I clearly tell people to eat fish and shellfish regularly to lower the risk of heart disease."

National Fisheries Institute (NFI) President, Richard E. Gutting, Jr., agrees. "The benefits of eating fish continue to mount as more studies are conducted," he noted. Gutting also said that women of all ages "should enjoy the variety and great taste of fish and seafood on a regular basis."

How the fish is prepared is important, as omega 3 fatty acids can be destroyed by heat, air, and light. NFI recommends not overcooking the meat and the use of low fat cooking methods: baking, broiling, poaching, steaming, stir-frying, grilling, or sautéing. Cook just until the point of doneness for maximum benefit. Avoid deep-frying, as it not only destroys more omega 3, but also adds to the total fat content.

If eating fish isn’t your cup of tea, you might try fish oil supplements. Most experts do not advise the routine use of fish oil supplements, however, for two reasons:

1.) possible side effects — fishy breath, gastrointestinal upset, and easy bruising. 2.) a false sense of security derived from taking fish oil for heath purposes, when the diet itself may be unhealthy.

Besides fish and fish oil supplements, other good omega 3 fatty acid sources include canola oil, flaxseed oil, soybean oil, certain nuts and vegetables, and tofu. However, one would have to eat at least several times the normal amount of any of these other sources to gain the same benefit from one regular size serving of fish.

Institute of Food Technologist, Joyce Nettleton, D. Sc., R.D. suggests that because eating fish alone won’t compensate for unhealthy eating habits, "fish and other shellfish should be eaten as part of a low fat diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables."

Besides boasting stroke resistant benefits, the fatty acids of omega 3 act as "health heroes" against hypertension, breast cancer, and depression. Other benefits include: less chance of developing heart disease, lower risk of heart attack even where heart disease does exist, lower blood pressure, possible improvement of kidney function in severe diabetes, and possible improvement of certain inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, psoriasis, and kidney disease.

In addition, nutrients found in healthy, uncontaminated fish help to insure proper development of fetal brain, eye, and nervous tissue during pregnancy. But, caution should be taken.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a recent consumer advisory, pregnant women should not consume shark, swordfish, or king mackerel or should limit consumption to not more than once a month.

These large predator fish could contain higher levels of methyl mercury than the FDA limit for safe human consumption — 1 part per million (1ppm). Over consumption risks damage to the fetal nervous system. Even fresh water predator species such as pike and walleye have been found to have methyl mercury levels in the 1ppm range.

While it’s true nearly all fish contain trace elements of mercury, larger, older and predator fish accumulate the highest levels and pose the greatest threat, while younger fish caught after only one season in polluted water have less. Even so, a variety of fish and other seafood that offer a naturally low fat source of protein can be an important part of a balanced diet for mothers-to-be.

According to one FDA advisor, pregnant women can consume up to 12 ounces of cooked fish each week: shellfish, canned fish, smaller ocean fish or farm raised fish. Farm raised rainbow trout are most likely fed high protein foods containing a combination of soy and fish meal which make them an even better source of omega 3 fatty acid. Seven ounces of canned tuna can be safely consumed each week by pregnant women and nursing mothers if no other fish containing mercury is eaten.

Despite FDA warnings for pregnant women, the results of the survey hold wonderful news, and women should be greatly encouraged. We now have scientific proof that there is a positive step available toward reducing the risk of stroke. Even if you don’t like fish, consuming just one 3.5 ounce serving one or two times a month can reduce risk of stroke by 7 percent.

Certain kinds of fish are more beneficial than others. For instance, because Alaska is relatively unpopulated there is little industry to pollute the streams and ocean. Lack of pollution combined with the earth’s water and air circulation patterns make Alaska’s pristine waters, and consequently its seafood among the cleanest in the world.

Numerous studies support this assertion. In 1998 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did a survey of seafood from the waters of Cook Inlet, located near Anchorage, Alaska. Results indicate that fin fish and shellfish caught in Cook Inlet were cleaner than any the EPA had ever tested. In addition, plentiful Alaska Salmon, one of the richest natural sources of omega 3 fatty acid available, are not among the publicized "endangered" varieties of salmon.

Although light meat fish such as perch, flounder, and whiting have only about 0.5 grams of omega 3 fatty acid per 4 ounce serving, fish varieties with dark meat such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and bluefish contain roughly three times the amount of protective stroke reducing omega 3 fatty acid. Fresh tuna, striped bass, and rainbow smelt are also rich sources. So if you’re going to limit fish intake, a dark meat fish is your best choice.

Whether for purposes of hobby or health, fishing is relaxing and something the whole family can enjoy together. This fun "sport" has the potential to enhance your health and your marriage.

So, go ahead! Get a fishing license, grab a pole, and hit the shoreline. Eat "the fruits of your labor" five times a week to reduce stroke risk by as much as 52 percent. Then brag about the "big one" that got away!

Visit Susan’s website A 2 Z of Health and Beauty for more information on health, beauty, nutrition, fitness, skin care, weight loss and more.

*** This article can be freely used as long as a link to "A 2 Z of Health and Beauty" (http://health.learninginfo.org) is provided.

So you’re buying an elliptical machine? Elliptical machines give you a low impact, safe workout that burns a maximum amount of calories in the least amount of time.

But with all of the different elliptical brands out there, how do you choose the best one? Here are 5 key features to look for when shopping to help you find the very best elliptical machine.
1) Forward and Reverse motions

The ability to move in a forward or reverse motion adds variety and challenge to your workout. It works different sets of muscles and results in more calories burned overall.

This also reduces your risk of repetitive use injuries common with some treadmill and stair climber users. Most ellipticals have this option but it’s always a good idea to make sure.
2) Adjustable resistance

Quality elliptical machines will have a range of resistance levels. Increasing the resistance increases the calories burned. It also helps you continue to challenge your body as your fitness level improves.

Look for an elliptical machine that makes resistance changes simple (i.e. one-touch resistance adjustment) so that interval training sessions can be easily incorporated into your workout
3) Upper body workout arms

While you really don’t need these for an effective workout, many people prefer them. They do help to provide resistance training for your upper body – and again, result in more calories burned.

However make sure you don’t have to lean over while using them which can diminish the effectiveness of your workout (this can happen on many of the cheaper elliptical models).
4) Quiet operation

Look for an elliptical machine that is specifically designed to stay quiet. A truly well designed elliptical machine should be fairly quiet at all intensity levels.

Also – cheaper ellipticals can develop a squeak after a few months of heavy use so be careful to buy a quality brand of elliptical machine and steer clear of the cheap department store models.
5) Elliptical Incline

It used to be that only high end, commercial elliptical trainers like Precor offered this option however lately more affordable models like Proform and Nordic Track are offering incline on several of their machines.

Incline is not the same as resistance. It changes the incline of the elliptical motion and helps to work different sets of muscles for increased fat burning and toning.
So those are 5 key features that make up a quality elliptical machine. By looking for most of these 5 key features, you’ll be assured of finding the very best elliptical machine for your needs.

For more Elliptical Best Buys visit:

http://www.EllipticalTrainerReview.com/Best_Elliptical_Buys.html

Kathryn O’Neill is the chief editor for Elliptical Trainer Reviews, a consumer oriented website focusing on the home elliptical trainer market.

For the latest elliptical reviews and best buys visit http://www.EllipticalTrainerReview.com

Sleep forms part of human’s biological need to rest. As a person sleeps, the various physiological processes of a human body figuratively put into an apparent arrest and some parts of our system that were mostly exploited can be replenished for future use.

However, imagine a system so disrupted that our normal scheduling for sleeping and waking is totally altered. Some people tend to sleep early and wake up early in the morning and some cannot sleep early and as a consequence, wakes up late.

These and other sleep-related problems are manifestations of a malfunctioning biological circadian clock and characterize several forms of Circadian Rhythm Syndrome. Circadian activity is a unique by 24-hour period or cycles in which our body is physically patterned.

24-hour vs. 25-hour cycle

Earth rotates around the sun in a 24-hour cycle, so as our body functions in this 24-hour time schedule. All living organisms charismatically subscribe to this cyclic resting and activity patterns so that their body could function in sync with the environment in which they live.

Although humans externally operate under a 24-hour environment, research found that our body clocks evidently works significantly different than what we see in the environment.

It shows that the human body closely behaves as if it were under a 25-hour environment. Convincingly, humans’ reluctance to wake up at a required time and sleeping late at night probably explains this theory.

To compensate for this discrepancy, the body uses time “cues” to effectively counter-manage this asynchronous rhythmical. Setting an alarm helps us wake up at a designated time of the day and allows us to function as if it were under the 24-hour rhythmic schedule.

Dark vs. Light

Light and temperature provides the determining factor by which the body responds to the 24-hour activity period. The presence or absence of light mainly affects the part of the brain, which paces your bodily activities.

It was understood that the fundamental locus or location of our biological clock is the brain specifically in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus.

In complex animals like humans, hypothalamus forms part of the autonomous nervous system, which in part, controls the functions of organs that are not voluntarily controlled, hence involuntary. Involuntary, meaning, they are not governed by conscious will to act. These include breathing, heartbeat and intestinal digestion.

Eyes, Light and SCN

One interesting point to make is that the location of SCN is just above the optic chiasma (cross). Optic chiasma can is described as a location where optic nerve fibers meet and cross (chiasma-cross).

It is fitting to say that; the perception of light through the opening in the eyes triggers the wake/sleep patterns in humans since this is one way the organism receives such physical message.

As retina (a portion of the eye where initial image of an object is stored) traps light rays, an optic fiber relays the image to the brain via characteristic electrical pulses.

This unique sensory impulse is carried along the optic fibers to the occipital lobe (rear part) of the brain and is perceived as images. The proximity of the optic chiasma to the SCN perhaps provides the opportunity for the hypothalamus to “sense” the referred electrical impulses.

Forms of Circadian Rhythms Syndrome/Disorders

Circadian Rhythm defects can come many distinct forms depending on the amount and timing of waking up and sleeping. Others, as in the case of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), result in the changes in the length of day and night.

People who tend to sleep at a later time of the day and wake up late as well are said to be exhibiting Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS). These people tend to develop insomnia, an abnormal inability to take adequate amount of sleep due to not being able to sleep at the right time of the night.

Still, other people, especially the elderly, are more likely to sleep early around 7:00 PM and consequently wake up early around 1:00 AM or 2:00 AM. This is a symptom of disrupted natural biological rhythms known as Familial Advanced Sleep-Phase Syndrome (FASPS).

The amount of a substance called melatonin is also perceived as a motivating factor in sleep-related disorders in humans. In a study among vertebrate mammals, melatonin is secreted in response to the absence of light.

This means more melatonin is secreted in the period of darkness and less in the presence of light. It presupposes the idea that melatonin is related to the 24-hour sleep/wake cycle of every human being.

Recommendations

With the knowledge gained in the preceding discussion, it can be assumed that the presence and absence of light affects our sleeping/waking schedule. With these in mind, keep yourself committed to your schedule to rest and sleep and set aside things, which are not really important.

Keep your room as dark and gloomy as possible, to make it easy for you to sleep. Colorful objects stimulate your senses and disrupt sleep. Keep it ventilated and air-conditioned.

Studies show that as we sleep, our body temperature drops and allows the neurotransmitter melatonin to be produced at a rapid pace.

Keep those things in mind and do not forget to seek medical help should your condition progresses.

Nishanth Reddy is an author and publisher of many health related websites. Visit his website to know more about other Sleep Disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea, snoring, restless legs, narcolepsy.
Sleep Disorders Guide

B VITAMINS

Thiamin (B1); Riboflavin (B2); Niacin (B3/B4);
Pantothenic Acid (B5); Pyridoxine (B6);
Biotin (B7); Inositol (B8); Folic Acid (B9);
Para-aminobenzoic Acid (10); Choline (B11);
Hydroxy / Cyanocobalamin (B12)
Pangamic Acid/ Calcium Pangamate (B15)

The vitamin B family consists of 15 different B vitamins. B Vitamins help us use energy. Its like putting a sandwich up against your forehead. Not going to do you any good is it? All B vitamins are all required for different stages of the process whereby energy is released from the food we eat every day.

Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine): RDA 1.2 MG

Vitamin B-1 is a water soluble vitamin. It is known to be beneficial to the nervous system and positive mental state. B-1 aids digestion and promotes growth. Things such as cooking vegetables, drinking alcohol or caffeine, and even antacids can destroy this essential vitamin.

Its main role is to break down carbohydrates from food and convert them into sugar
Thiamine is destroyed by alcohol, so many alcoholics are thiamine deficient
Thiamine is found in pork, sunflower seeds and peanuts
Thiamine is added to many cereals

Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin): RDA 1.7 MG

This easily absorbed water soluble vitamin is needed for tissue repair and healthy skin. It also helps the body use oxygen and aids in the formation of healthy antibodies and red blood cells.

Helps body release energy from proteins, carbs and fats
Food sources include milk, cheese, yogurt, beef, and green vegetables
Riboflavin is destroyed by light-if you have breads that contain riboflavin, keep them in the dark

Vitamin B-3/4 (Nicain/Niacinamide): RDA 20 MG

Water soluble Niacin is important to the brain’s functions, and in promoting healthy skin, nervous and digestive systems. Niacin is also a natural cholesterol-lowering agent.

Provides energy for cell tissue growth
Food sources are chicken, fish, veal, certain cereals and liver
The body can produce niacin from tryptophan which is found in milk and eggs
If you have a diet high in tryptophan, your need for niacin is reduced

Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic Acid): RDA 10 MG

Our body’s adrenal glands and digestive system depend on B-5. It helps in cell building and maintaining normal growth. It is believed to be a factor in helping the body fight physical stress.

In association with coenzyme A, it helps to convert nutrients to energy
Can lower cholesterol and some people say it enhances their athletic abilities
Food sources include yeast, liver, eggs, peas, peanuts, lean meats and legumes

Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine): RDA 2 MG

Pyridoxine, this water soluble vitamin is needed to help keep teeth, gums, blood cells and our nervous stysem funtioning helthily. B-6 plays an important role in converting fats, proteins and carbohydrates into usable energy for your body. B-6 is an essential B-Vtiamin that the human body needs to stay in a healthy state. It can help protect the body in helping to form antibodies. B-6 also plays a role in the body’s potassium and sodium balance.

Uses protein to build body tissue and metabolizes fat
Food sources include chicken, beef liver and blackstrap molasses
It is necessary for the production of antibodies and red blood cells

Vitamin B-7 (Biotin): RDA 0.3 MG

Water soluble Biotin helps keep your skin and circulatory system in a healthy state. It is also needed to break down fats and proteins. Biotin plays a role in maintaing healthy hair and helps other B-Vitamins work better. B-7 is essential for healthy skin.

Metabolizes protein and fat
Enables the body to absorb vitamin C
Lack of biotin in the diet can lead to eczema and hair loss
Food sources include fruit, nuts, brewers yeast, peanut butter cauliflower and egg yolks

Vitamin B-8 (Inositol): RDA 40 MG

Inositol is a B-Factor in the B-Vitamin family. Inositol aids in fat breakdown and offers nourishment to brain cells and metabolizes fats and cholesterol. Inositol also plays an important part in the health of cell membranes especially the specialized cells in the brain, bone marrow, eyes and intestines. Inositol is said to promote healthy hair, hair growth, and helps in controlling estrogen levels and may assist in preventing breast lumps. It may also help reduce blood cholesterol levels.

Vitamin B-9 (Folic Acid/Folate): RDA 0.4 MG

Folic acid is important for the formation of new red blood cells and aids in the converting go proteins into energy. It is necessary for the growth and division of body cells. Folic Acid is also very important in preventing birth defects related to the spine and brain. A definecy of folate can lead to many major help problems.

Potential cancer fighter because it produces red blood cells and genetic material in cells
Pregnant women must get adequate amounts of folic acid or there is risk of serious birth defects
Heavy drinkers and women on birth control pills have a high risk of becoming deficient in folic acid
Food sources include green leafy vegetables, legumes, liver, peanuts and bananas

Vitamin B-10 (Para-aminobenzoic Acid): RDA 25 MG

Water soluble PABA is important in the break down of protein. It has important sun screening properties and helps keep the skin healthy and smooth. PABA is a factor in helping to form folic acid. PABA is used in sun protection lotions to help reduce and protect you from sunburn.

Vitamin B-11 (Choline): RDA 200 MG

Also known as amanitine, lipotropic factor. An active constituent of lecithin, Choline is a water soluble member of the Vitamin B complex. It is not a true vitamin as it is synthesized in the liver. Choline helps assists in the correct stabilizing and metabolism of fats. Without Choline, fats can frustrate metabolism by becoming trapped in the liver.

Vitamin B-12 (Hydroxy/Cyanocobalamin): RDA 0.006 MG

Vitamin B-12 also known as the “red vitamin”, helps play a role in building rich blood and in the development of your body’s red blood cell growth. B-12 is also important for the nervous system. Vitamin B-12 plays an important role in concentration, balance and memory. It is hard to digest so we need to ingest much higher amounts than the RDA in order to absorb enough. It’s found only in animal foods, so a supplement may be needed to aquire the RDA

Vitamin B12 is stored in the liver, kidneys and other body tissues
It may take years of a vitamin B12 deprived diet to show signs in a persons health
Reduces fatigue and memory loss
Food sources include meat, fish, eggs and dairy products

Vitamin B-15 (Pangamic Acid/ Calcium Pangamate): RDA 25 MG

Vitamin B15 is a water-soluble vitamin. It is not a vitamin in the strict sense because it has not been proven to be an essential requirement for the body. It detoxifies the by-products of human metabolism, assists in the regulation of hormones, extends cell life and is an instant oxygenator. Pangamic acid also has antioxidant properties, which may help explain why it is so highly touted for its ability to confer protection against urban air pollutants, stimulate increased immune system response, lower blood cholesterol levels, protect the liver from the ravages of alcohol, cure fatigue, and ward off hangovers, Vitamin B15′s effect is improved when taken with vitamin A and vitamin E.

A convenient way to get you’re recommended amount of the B vitamins is to take a high quality vitamin B complex supplement while continuing to eat a variety of the recommended foods above. A vitamin B supplement will help with a vast array of health issues including promoting good eyesight, a good immune system, strong nails and hair and a healthy nervous system. It can also prevent shingles, cancer, physical stress, heart disease, high cholesterol, neurological damage such as memory loss and mood changes as well as birth defects.

Signs that you may be vitamin B deficient include:

mental problems
heart palpitations
indigestion
chronic fatigue
Paranoia
fear that something dreadful is about to happen
nervousness
ADD
irritability
feeling of uneasiness
insomnia
restlessness
tingling in hands fingers and toes
rashes
crying spells, inability to cope

Article Source : http://www.online-health-source.info/Vitamins-and-Supplements/Vitamin-B-Family/

Tyler D Falls