Pernicious anemia (PA), or vitamin B12 deficiency, can sneak up on you…perniciously. Some of the earliest signs of pernicious anemia include brain fog- here are some symptoms that mean you should get a vitamin B12 blood test, pronto.

How can I get pernicious anemia?

Vitamin B12 is in much of the food you eat every day, but that doesn’t mean you’re necessarily digesting it.  A large group of people don’t have the digestive enzyme needed in order to absorb vitamin B12 naturally from protein foods like beef, chicken, fish, milk, and eggs.

Without intrinsic factor, which is made in the stomach, you eventually (sometimes over the course of decades) get vitamin B12 deficiency, which in turn causes a breakdown in your overall health.

Causes of pernicious anemia range from autoimmune disorder to damage to the digestive system.

PA cognitive decline

The first thing you’ll notice with the onset of pernicious anemia is a general decay in your thinking skills, which some describe as “brain fog.” This is due to decreased oxygen in the brain, resulting from less red blood cell production, a common symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency.

If you have pernicious anemia or other forms of vitamin B12 deficiency, you may experience some or all of the following symptoms of cognitive decline:

How to keep Vitamin B12 Deficiency from Shrinking your Brain

Brain fog

If it seems like you’re always in a daze, or fog, then you’re suffering a condition common to many autoimmune disorders, including pernicious anemia, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Brain fog, or brain drain, is often described as “thinking in autopilot,” having a “senior moment,” or thinking in “slow-mo.”

Brain Fog: 20 Ways to Deal

Constant confusion

Another sign of brain fog is feeling like you don’t understand things happening around you, even if it just takes you a second longer than usual to “get it.” Again, this is not something to be ashamed of, but it does signify a medical condition that requires immediate attention.

6 Surprising Causes of Memory Loss

Chronic fatigue

Do you wake up feeling exhausted, lethargic, or just too tired to get out of bed, even though you slept well the whole night? Do mundane chores like shopping, running errands, or performing work duties make collapse before the day’s end?  Do you always feel achy and weak, as if you ran a marathon, even though you refrain from physical exercise? These are all common signs of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a disabling condition that often correlates with pernicious anemia.

Breathlessness

Don’t confuse this symptom for panting or being short of breath, which is a sign of hypertension or stress.  People with brain fog from pernicious anemia often feel the need to sigh deeply, and sometimes feel that they can never take a long comfortable breath. Like frequent yawning, this is also a sign of insufficient oxygen in the brain.

Memory loss

Short-term memory loss occurs frequently with pernicious anemia, as vitamin B12 is essential for maintaining brain health.

Symptoms of memory loss include:

• Inability to recall familiar words or names of people
• Inability to memorize a short list of familiar words
• Difficulty remembering numbers or numerical codes
• Recent decline in math skills
• Forgetting important dates, like birthdays of close family members
• Needing a memo to remember close-pending appointments
• Repeating questions frequently
• Forgetting conversations you had a few days previously

Mental health

A number of mental illness symptoms correlate strongly with cognitive decline from vitamin B12 deficiency, leading many psychiatrists to misdiagnose patients as insane, when vitamin B12 supplements would significantly reduce the symptoms.

Pernicious anemia may lead to mental disorders, such as:

• Depression
• Paranoia
• Anxiety
• Hallucinations
• Aggressive behavior
• Mood swings
• Uncontrolled crying spells

Other pernicious anemia symptoms

In addition to your cognitive health, pernicious anemia also affects your

• Central nervous system
• Peripheral nervous system
• Gastrointestinal system
• Red blood cell production
• DNA synthesis
• Energy levels
• Vision
• Motor skills
• Sexual health
• Bone health
• Cardiovascular system
• Hormones
• Immune system
• Hair, skin, and nails

Read more about B12 and the brain

Here’s Your Brain on B12 Deficiency- Memory Loss and Aging

Tired of being Tired all the Time…It’s Tiring!

7 Reasons You Have Brain Fog…And What to do About It

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References:

Sub-Acute Combined Degeneration of the Cord Secondary to Pernicious Anaemia PDF

B12 Deficiency – a Multi-system Polyglandular Multi-point syndrome

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ZERO CREATIVES/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY, Now and Zen Photography, graur codrin

What is Addison’s disease, and why is pernicious anemia from vitamin B12 deficiency sometimes labeled Addison’s anemia? Here are some facts about B12 deficiency and Addison’s.

What is Addison’s disease?

Addison’s disease is a rare illness that destroys the adrenal glands. Since symptoms of Addison’s don’t manifest themselves until the adrenal cortex is nearly obliterated- by 90%- Addison’s disease is difficult to catch in time to prevent damage.

What are the symptoms of Addison’s disease?

Symptoms of advanced-stage Addison’s disease include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Chronic pain
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Salt cravings
• Low blood pressure
• Skin discolorations.

What causes Addison’s disease?

Addison’s from autoimmune disorder is the most common type, but other rare forms of Addison’s disease occur around the world.

Causes of Addison’s disease include:

• Autoimmune disorder
• Fungal infection
• Adrenal cancer
• Adrenal hemorrhage
• Treatment for Cushing’s disease
• Some hereditary diseases
• Secondary Addison’s disease from pituitary gland tumor

Is Vitamin B12 Deficiency an Autoimmune Disorder? Yup.

Vitamin B12 deficiency and Addison’s

Most cases of Addison’s disease result from autoimmune disorder, and approximately half eventually develop other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid malfunctions.

Often, vitamin B12 deficiency also results from an autoimmune disorder- pernicious anemia, which occurs when the stomach is unable to produce or maintain the intrinsic factor enzyme that is necessary for vitamin B12 absorption.

About 5% of patients with autoimmune Addison’s disease may also develop vitamin B12 deficiency-pernicious anemia.

Because of the strong link between vitamin B12 deficiency and Addison’s disease, pernicious anemia is sometimes referred to as Addison’s anemia.

Other conditions that correlate with Addison’s include:

• Vitiligo (white patches on skin)
• Celiac disease- gluten sensitivity disorder
• Hair loss
• Muscle loss
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sjogren’s syndrome
• ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura)- low blood platelets

Symptoms of pernicious anemia

Blood tests for vitamin B12 deficiency and intrinsic factor antibodies can determine if you have pernicious anemia.

Symptoms of pernicious anemia include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Chronic pain
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Hallucinations
• Irritability
• Paranoia
• Memory loss
• Mental confusion (brain fog)
• Painful tingling and numbness in hands and feet
• Muscle twitches
• Electric shock sensations
• Difficulty walking
• Poor motor control
• Heart palpitations
• Breathlessness
• Altered sense of taste
• Sore red tongue
• Burning mouth syndrome

Pernicious Anemia and B12 Deficiency- Historically Fatal, Still Formidable

Pernicious anemia treatment

Treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency requires a regimen of vitamin B12 injections, per doctor’s instructions.  Alternatively, vitamin B12 patches are also available without prescription.

Please tell us…

Have you been diagnosed with Addison’s disease and vitamin B12 deficiency?

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.

Read more about vitamin B12 deficiency

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References:

Living with Addison’s Disease

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SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY, FRANK AND HELENA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY, Ambro

 
What are the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency…or any other vitamin deficiency, for that matter?  Fatigue, brain fog, muscular pain, and frequent numbness in the hands and feet could signal vitamin B12 deficiency, but what about all the other vitamins?  Here is a complete list of vitamins and minerals, plus symptoms that correlate with vitamin deficiencies.

Vitamin A (Retinol)

Food sources: Yams, beef liver, spinach, carrots, and pumpkin.

Vitamin deficiency symptoms: Color-blindness, conjunctivitis, dry eyes, Bitot’s spots, farsightedness, corneal ulcers, ichthyosis (scaly skin), macular degeneration, photophobia, night blindness, keratosis, dry hair, ridged nails, peeling nails, acne, skin infections, jaundice, shingles, and wrinkles.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Food sources: Mushrooms, sunflower seeds, tuna, and broccoli.

Vitamin deficiency symptoms: Chronic fatigue, loss of appetite, nerve damage, heart palpitations, mental confusion, depression, dementia, forgetfulness, nervous irritability, Beriberi disease, crossed eyes, dim vision, glaucoma, Raynaud’s disease, sensitivity to insect bites, furrowed tongue, Addison’s disease, fungal infections, itching, white patches on tongue.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Food sources: Liver, mushrooms, spinach, and dark green vegetables.

Vitamin deficiency symptoms: Loss of appetite, nerve damage, depression, nervous irritability, increased homocysteine levels (heart attack and stroke risk), blurred vision, cataracts, conjunctivitis, dim vision, glaucoma, retinitis, corneal ulcers, macular degeneration, night blindness, photophobia, eyelid tics, acne, Addison’s disease, eczema, fungal infections, seborrhea, itching, white-heads, rosacea, eczema around nose and ears, dandruff, oily hair, sore tongue, cracked lips at corners of the mouth, purplish or magenta tongue, white patches on tongue.

9 Vitamin Deficiencies and the People who are affected by them

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Food sources: Brown rice, tuna, mushrooms, liver, beans, and lean meat.

Vitamin deficiency symptoms: Loss of appetite, fatigue, mental confusion, depression, dementia, nervous irritability, diarrhea, acne, Addison’s disease, fungal infections, itching, reddish-brown skin on neck, white patches on tongue.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal phosphate)

Food sources: Bananas, bell peppers, potato skins, garbanzo beans, prune juice, and dark green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin deficiency symptoms: Chronic fatigue, depression, nervous irritability, increased homocysteine levels (heart attack and stroke risk), numbness in the hands and feet, blurred vision, conjunctivitis, dark spots in front of the eyes, retinitis, corneal ulcers, macular degeneration, night blindness, eyelid tics, acne, Addison’s disease, eczema, edema, fungal infections, dermatitis around eyes and nose, skin infections, itching, jaundice, pale skin, vitiligo, dandruff, hair loss, white spots on nails, sore tongue, cracked lips at corners of the mouth, bad breath, canker sores, white patches on tongue.

Vitamin B9 (Folic acid)

Food sources: Organ meat, beans, dark green leafy vegetables, beets, and cauliflower.

Vitamin deficiency symptoms: Mental confusion, depression, dementia, forgetfulness, nervous irritability, insomnia, aggression, cervical dysplasia, megaloblastic anemia, increased homocysteine levels (heart attack and stroke risk), nerve damage, failure to thrive, low birth weight, neural tube defects, breathlessness, heart palpitations, pale skin, reddish-brown skin on neck, graying hair, hangnails, cracked lips at corners of the mouth, cancer sores, beefy, red tongue, gingivitis.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

Food sources: Organ meats, cod, halibut, salmon, shellfish, lean meat, eggs, and dairy products.

Vitamin deficiency symptoms: Chronic fatigue, loss of appetite, nerve damage, painful tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, loss of balance, movement problems, heart palpitations, breathlessness, mental confusion, hallucinations, depression, memory loss, dementia, forgetfulness, nervous irritability, increased homocysteine levels (heart attack and stroke risk), diarrhea, dim vision, retinitis, eyelid tics, miscarriages, fertility problems, Addison’s disease, brown pigmentation around small joints, fungal infections, itching, jaundice, pale skin, shingles, vitiligo, hair loss, sore tongue, beefy, red tongue, canker sores, white patches on tongue, altered sense of taste.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency-13 Illnesses that Block B12 Absorption

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)

Food sources: Guava, papayas, strawberries, citrus fruits, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bell peppers, and dark green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin deficiency symptoms: Chronic fatigue, loss of appetite, cataracts, conjunctivitis, crossed eyes, dark spots in front of the eyes, dim vision, glaucoma, retinitis, corneal ulcers, near-sightedness, acne, Addison’s disease, eczema, edema, skin infections, itching, jaundice, prickly-heat rash, shingles, wrinkles, hangnails, peeling nails, gingivitis.

Vitamin D

Food sources: Salmon, sardines, shrimp, fish oil, yams, and dairy products fortified with vitamin D.

Vitamin deficiency symptoms: Nervous irritability, near-sightedness, increased risk for diabetes, rickets, skeletal deformities, muscular weakness, soft bones, muscular pain (especially lower back pain), frequent bone fractures, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, hypocalcemia, muscle twitches, numbness in the hands and feet, irregular heartbeat.

Vitamin E

Food sources: Vegetable oils, wheat germ oil, dark green leafy vegetables, avocadoes, seeds, nuts, and whole grains.

Vitamin deficiency symptoms: Loss of appetite, nausea, anemia, immune system disorders, angina, muscular pain, tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, movement problems, miscarriages, fertility problems, bulging eyes, cataracts, crossed eyes, near-sightedness, acne, jaundice, shingles, wrinkles.

Calcium

Food sources: Yogurt, cheese, sardines, canned salmon, milk, and dark green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin deficiency symptoms: Osteoporosis, hypocalcemia, tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, muscular pain, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, loss of appetite, frequent bone fractures, peeling nails, ridged nails, gingivitis.

Magnesium

Food sources: Wheat bran, almonds, cashews, dark green leafy vegetables, tofu, beans, and seeds.

Vitamin deficiency symptoms: Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, muscular pain, mood swings, irregular heartbeat, hypocalcemia, farsightedness, glaucoma, retinitis, macular degeneration, eyelid tics, Addison’s disease, edema, skin infections, jaundice, dandruff, bad breath.

Zinc

Food sources: Oysters, crab, lobsters, beef, poultry, and fortified cereals.

Vitamin deficiency symptoms: Diarrhea, immune system disorders, failure to thrive, poor concentration, dark spots in front of the eyes, retinitis, corneal ulcers, macular degeneration, night blindness, eyelid tics, acne, eczema, edema, dermatitis around eyes and nose, skin infections, jaundice, vitiligo, dandruff, dry and brittle hair, hair loss, white spots on nails, bad breath, canker sores.

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Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

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Read more about vitamin B12 deficiency

Is Vitamin B12 Deficiency an Autoimmune Disorder? Yup.

Top Ten Signs of a Vitamin B12 Deficiency

References:

Vitamin Chart :: Vitamin Deficiency Symptoms, Benefits, Food Sources

Deficiency Symptoms

Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets

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Piyachok Thawornmat, piyato, Ambro, Grant Cochrane

Breaking news: The US has recently approved a new study aimed at preventing Alzheimer’s disease before it starts ravaging the brain. In a move aimed at decreasing health care costs, some new Alzheimer’s disease treatments may prevent early onset Alzheimer’s in people who are prone for dementia.

An Alzheimer’s cure by 2025

As part of the US plan to cure Alzheimer’s by a 2025 deadline, researchers are studying the effect of an experimental drug on people who are genetically inclined to develop Alzheimer’s disease.  Once brain atrophy begins, it’s impossible to stop the progression of this fatal disease, but by introducing a preventive treatment ten years beforehand, scientists hope to delay or possibly prevent dementia symptoms from occurring.

Diabetes-Alzheimer’s disease

Based on a theory that links diabetes with increased risk for Alzheimer’s, scientists have also developed an insulin nasal spray designed for dementia patients. Researchers are testing the drug, looking for improvements short-term memory, reasoning, and attentiveness in people suffering from mild symptoms of dementia.

Here’s Your Brain on B12 Deficiency- Memory Loss and Aging

The clock is ticking

Scientists are still not positive exactly what causes Alzheimer’s disease, but they do know that unless they find an effective cure, the current number of Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia- 5.4 million- will double by 2050.

More info on Alzheimer’s disease is available on the new government website, alzheimers.gov.

Tips to boost brain power

Aside from drugs, many other effective treatments are available that may delay signs of dementia while improving your memory and increasing mental clarity.

Vitamin B12. Numerous studies on elderly individuals diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease indicate that vitamin B12 deficiency increases your chances of losing brain volume in your old age.  Participants who had healthy levels of vitamin B12 scored better on mental acuity tests than their peers who had low vitamin B12 blood levels.  Similarly, MRI scans of early dementia patients who took vitamin B12 supplements indicated fuller, healthier brain mass than those who did not take vitamin B12.

Can B12 Beat Alzheimer’s? Neurology Says it can…

Exercise your brain. Every time you use your brain, you activate your brain power, strengthening your brain muscles. Studies show that people who engage in strategy games like chess improve their memory skills with time.  Other great games to try are Sudoku, Scrabble, and the Japanese game, Go.
Exercise your body. Engaging in light aerobics increases blood flow to the brain, improves your mood, reduces stress, and supplies more oxygen.  It also reduces your chances of getting Alzheimer’s in your middle age, and prevents heart disease.
Eat brain foods. Include plenty of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet- eat at least 2 fish meals per week, or take supplements.  As a bonus, seafood fares like halibut, shellfish, and tuna are also high in vitamin B12!

Please tell us…

What vitamins and minerals do you take for optimum brain health?

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

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If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.

Read more about Alzheimer’s and B12

Can Vitamin B12 Deficiency cause Dementia?

Aging begins at 45- Tips on how to Prevent Early Memory Loss

References:

Scientists hunt ways to stall Alzheimer’s earlier

U.S. launches ambitious Alzheimer’s plan with research push

Images:

MONTY RAKUSEN, CULTURA /SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

CRISTINA PEDRAZZINI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

COLIN HAWKINS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Does it seem like chronic fatigue follows you around like a sick puppy? It’s not your imagination. You could have chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), or one of several other maladies whose symptoms include constant tiredness, brain drain, and general achiness.

What is chronic fatigue?

Try this: find a stairwell, run up and down twenty times without breaking for a breather, and now stop.

Feel tired, wiped out, and lightheaded? Good! That means you’re healthy. It’s natural to feel fatigued after a strenuous workout.

People with chronic fatigue always feel exhausted, from morning to nightfall.  Forget running up the stairs- just running an errand to the supermarket can leave you out for the count before noon.

Only a doctor can diagnose your health problems; here are some conditions to look out for that cause fatigue.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)

More than just tiredness, chronic fatigue syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that causes debilitating physical pain and cognitive disorders.  Fatigue is constant, regardless of having slept well the night before or not overexerting oneself in physical activities.

Many people diagnosed with CFS also suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency, fibromyalgia, or celiac disease.

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency is an often-overlooked cause of fatigue for many people.  Unfortunately, many doctors don’t screen routinely for low vitamin B12 levels, so remember to ask for a blood test, specifically for vitamin B12 deficiency.

Untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency can cause severe, irreversible neurological damage, dementia, and increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

9 Conditions that Mimic Fibromyalgia and Vitamin B12 Deficiency

If you think B12 deficiency is not common, then you’re mistaken. It’s one of the leading nutritional deficiencies in the US.  There are several reasons for this:

• There has been a recent spike in gastric bypass surgeries, as they become more affordable and socially acceptable.  Any type of surgery that invades your digestive system ultimately leads to poor vitamin B12 absorption, but most surgeons fail to warn patients beforehand.  By interfering with your ability to produce intrinsic factor, an enzyme crucial for digesting vitamin B12 from food, a large number of gastric bypass surgeries result in severe depletion of vitamin B12 levels in the blood.
• Vitamin B12 occurs naturally in animal-based foods like beef, poultry, fish, and eggs. With the increasing popularity of vegan dieting, we have also seen a rise in vitamin B12 deficiencies.
• Certain drugs inhibit your ability to digest vitamin B12; these include the diabetes medication metformin and GERD treatments, protein pump inhibitors (PPIs), which prevent stomach acid production.

Inactivity

In the movie WALL-E, Disney animators envisioned an armchair society for our future, in which all daytime activities- work, play, even dressing- could be controlled with the touch of a button, eliminating the need to leave your house…or your seat.

In fact, idleness is a major source of chronic illness for an increasing number of people.  Avoidance of exercise is more likely to cause fatigue than the actual exercise itself. The deciding factor is how much you exercise, and which activities you choose, not whether you do it at all.

For tips on exercising with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, read 10 Fibromyalgia-Friendly Exercises that Boost Energy- You can do it!

Not getting enough sleep

Fess up- when was the last time you slept eight hours in a row? The fact is- most of us don’t get the bare minimum of quality nighttime sleep that we need to prevent fatigue, stress, and chronic illness.

Current research points to electronic overstimulation as a possible reason for fatigue and insomnia.  We’re always “on.” Handheld devices, cell phones, Bluetooth technology, iPod music players, e-books, laptops, tablets, and a never-ending drone of cable televised media keep us on edge, engaged,  from morning ‘til night.

Tired of being Tired all the Time…It’s Tiring!

To fall asleep quicker and get the most rest, follow these tips:

• Avoid afternoon naps, even short ones.
• Cut down on caffeinated beverages.
• Take vitamin B12 for more daytime energy
• Exercise every day
• Put a curfew on all electronic devices, including your television.

Depression

Clinical depression is a possible source of fatigue, as well.  If sadness and a sense of hopelessness accompany constant fatigue, then see a doctor immediately.  Many antidepressants are available that are safe and produce no side effects.

Also, ask for vitamin B12 deficiency screening, as depression and anxiety are common symptoms of low vitamin B12 levels.

Please tell us…

Do you experience overwhelming fatigue every day, despite sleeping well?

Does you fatigue occur after exercising, or does it happen all the time, even when you don’t do physical activities?

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.

Read more about chronic fatigue

Chronically Pained? Here’s your Essential Chronic Pain Checklist…

10 Celebrities with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

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imagerymajestic, Michal Marcol, Copyright (c) 123RF Stock Photos, Microsoft.com

What happens if you don’t get enough vitamin B12, folate, or niacin? You could end up with severe vitamin B deficiency, causing symptoms ranging from uncomfortable to potentially dangerous.

B careful out there

B-complex refers to eight essential nutrients that work together to provide energy, build red blood cells, and protect the nervous system. Most B vitamins such as vitamin B12 are only obtainable from protein foods such as beef, chicken, fish, eggs, or milk, but some also occur in leafy greens and beans.

If you don’t get enough of any vitamin into your system, then you will eventually develop a vitamin deficiency, which in turn causes illnesses like vitamin B12 pernicious anemia or rickets.

Got your B vitamins right here

B-complex vitamins include:

• Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
• Vitamin B3 (niacin)
• Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
• Vitamin B7 (biotin)
• Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
• Folic acid

Back in my day, we didn’t have corndogs

Corn contains plenty of niacin, but it’s not easy to obtain- you have to know how to process corn kernels in such a way as to release this essential B vitamin and make it digestible.  The Indians knew how to obtain niacin from corn, but the earliest American settlers didn’t, choosing instead to mill dried corn and consume it as flour. As a result, many developed niacin deficiency- pellagra.

The basic symptoms of vitamin B3 deficiency are:

• Dermatitis- skin that burn easily, and gets dark, thick and sweaty (hence the term “redneck.”)
• Diarrhea
• Dementia- paranoia and “brain fog”
• Untreated, niacin deficiency can be fatal

Fast-forward a few centuries

Today, we still prefer to eat corn in its meal form.  American favorites like cornbread, tortilla chips, and corndogs all begin with cornmeal. However, we manage to avoid most vitamin deficiencies by eating a wide variety of food groups and taking vitamin supplements.

Still, certain vitamin deficiencies can sneak up on you.

Vitamin B12 deficiency, for example, can occur even if you eat a steady diet of beef burgers, chicken wings, and stuffed trout.

People (possibly) unknowingly at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency include:

• Anybody missing the digestive enzyme intrinsic factor
• Anybody taking metformin for diabetes, or PPIs for GERD
• Anybody who has had a gastric bypass
• Anybody who suffers from chronic digestive problems
• Anybody who suffers from autoimmune disorders like fibromyalgia or celiac disease
• Anybody who indulges in excessive alcoholic beverages
• Anybody over the age of 65

To find out if you have B12 deficiency, or any vitamin deficiency, ask your doctor for a blood test.

Supplementation for vitamin B12 deficiency includes routine vitamin B12 shots, vitamin B12 sublingual pills, or vitamin B12 patches.

Please tell us…

Have you experienced any symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, such as tiredness, numbness, painful tingling, or brain fog? If so, have you tested for B12 deficiency?

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.

Read more about B12 deficiency

Is Vitamin B12 Deficiency an Autoimmune Disorder? Yup.

Top Ten Signs of a Vitamin B12 Deficiency

9 Vitamin Deficiencies and the People who are affected by them

References:

Deficiency Diseases of the Nervous System

A brief history of nutritional deficiencies and chronic disease

Pellagra- Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia

Images:

drewgstephens, mynameisharsha, Base Camp Baker

Managing chronic pain can feel like an uphill battle- if you suffer from chronic headaches, fibromyalgia, arthritis, or all of the above, then you’re probably doing all you can to prevent flare-ups, fight constant fatigue, and relieve achy joints, stomach cramps, and sore muscles.  Just so that you don’t forget, check out this handy list of important coping mechanisms for chronic pain management- how many of these do you use in your day?

#1: Get high on exercise!

While it is possible to overdo it with physical exertion, especially with fibromyalgia, there’s one thing you can’t get too much of, and that’s endorphins- nature’s own painkillers.  You don’t have to lift 2-ton barbells or run a mad dash to the finish line to benefit, either.  Just 20-30 minutes of walking, swimming, or low-impact aerobics is enough to get some of those brain-made feel-good chemicals.

10 Fibromyalgia-Friendly Exercises that Boost Energy- You can do it!

#2: Breathe in, breathe out!

What do yoga, tai chi, progressive relaxation, anger management, and biofeedback all have in common? They all focus on your breathing!  Your lungs are more than just necessary organs to keep you alive; with practice, you can learn how to use cleansing, controlled breaths (also called pranayama) to relax your whole body, relieve pain, and boost energy.

Why More Fibromyalgia Patients are Taking Tai Chi

#3: Quit smoking and alcohol!

The last thing you need if you suffer from chronic pain is more health problems. This might seem like a no-brainer, but weaning yourself off addictive chemicals isn’t easy, and requires a lot of motivation. So here goes: alcohol and cigarettes lead to increased pain symptoms, fatigue, and numerous diseases, including lung disease, heart disease, and cancer of just about every part of your body.

#4: Eat your pain away!

Eating healthy isn’t just about maintaining your weight or staving off hunger- by choosing foods that your body needs, you are also helping to prevent chronic pain symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, and diabetic pain, in addition to preventing heart disease, obesity, and gastrointestinal problems.  Eat low-fat, whole ingredients like grains, fresh vegetables, and lean meats, versus processed snacks or fast food that contain zero nutrients.

#5: Log your pain!

Every day, keep track of your pain symptoms in a “pain journal” that you can share with your doctor- it may help you find important clues to possible pain triggers. Take note of things you ate, activities, pain medications, and your pain scale.

15 Chronic Pain Myths- Debunked!

#6: Keep your mind occupied!

One of the worst things you can do if you suffer from chronic pain is…suffer constantly.  Studies prove that people who dwell on their pain symptoms and make it the focus of their life are least likely to find relief. Find some activity that you enjoy- one that fits in with your daily schedule and doesn’t wear you out- and do it! It can be a crossword puzzle, a hobby, or chatting with a friend…any activity that distracts you from your chronic pain will help improve your quality of life and general sense of wellbeing.

10 Celebrities with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

#7: Educate yourself about your pain meds!

A staggering number of prescription pain medications can be harmful or fatal.  Unfortunately, many doctors are negligent in informing their patients beforehand about the possible side effects of using opioid painkillers or even NSAIDs for long-term pain management.  Be up front- ask your doctor about all your current prescriptions, and find out about any alternative medications that produce the same pain relief without causing side effects.

15 Chronic Pain Causes and 15 Treatments (Vitamin B12 is one)

#8: Avoid vitamin deficiency!

Surprisingly, vitamin deficiency correlates strongly with many of today’s chronic pain illnesses.

• Vitamin B12 deficiency has been linked with numerous pain symptoms and disorders, including fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), diabetic neuropathy, pernicious anemia neuropathy, migraine, and celiac disease.  For proper diagnosis, ask your doctor for a blood screening for vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Other B vitamins besides vitamin B12- such as vitamin B2, vitamin B6, and folic acid are helpful for preventing many chronic pain symptoms.
• Magnesium deficiency is believed to be one possible cause of chronic migraines.
• Coenzyme Q10, a chemical produced by your body, is also prescribed for chronic pain prevention.

Please tell us…

Do you have any chronic pain management tips to add?

Do you use vitamin B12 supplements daily?

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.

Read more about chronic pain

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Images:

Stuart Miles, federico stevanin, africa, scottchan

“I feel better than I did 20 years ago,” wrote Madonna to her personal chef.  What’s the secret to her Fountain of Youth? Vitamin B12 and healthy bacteria…

B12: Celebs Say it’s the New C

B12 helps her perform

Madonna’s known to take a couple of jabs every now and then- jabs of vitamin B12 shots, that is.  She attributes her youthful complexion to large doses of vitamin B12, claiming that they also boost energy, prevent illness, and help her think more clearly.

Perhaps that explains her amazing stamina and flexibility during her half-time performance recently. Vitamin B12 improves your metabolism, sports endurance, and muscular strength, and provides a healthful sense of wellbeing, as evidenced by several scientific studies.

Healthy bacteria and vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 has a symbiotic relationship with your intestinal flora.  And wouldn’t you know, Madonna is on to that, as well.  Her chef, Mayumi Nishimura, has created a well-rounded nourishing diet of foods that are good for the digestion, including fermented soy, whole grain, and quinoa.

By eating good-for-the-gut foods that supply healthy microbes, Madonna is naturally maintaining her digestive system and preventing illnesses like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), stomach cancer, and pernicious anemia from vitamin B12 deficiency.

Gut problems and B12 deficiency

There are many ways of getting vitamin B12 deficiency, and one of them includes digestive system disorder.  Any time there is damage to the stomach lining or small intestines, you run the risk of depleting your sources of vitamin B12.

That’s because a certain digestive enzyme, intrinsic factor, is produced in the stomach, and your body requires intrinsic factor in order to absorb vitamin B12 from foods like meat, poultry, fish, and eggs.  But certain illnesses that affect the digestive system- Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, GERD- result in vitamin B12 malabsorption.

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency

The initial signs of vitamin B12 deficiency often emulate other underlying ailments which you might have, which explains why doctors sometimes neglect to check vitamin B12 levels in the blood.

Telltale symptoms of early vitamin B12 deficiency include:

• Tiredness
• Painful prickly feelings in your fingers, arms, toes, and feet
• Sore red, swollen tongue
• Recent short-term memory loss
• Depression
• Inability to concentrate
• Irritability
• Diarrhea

Suffering from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue? B12 to the Rescue!

Over time, as your body expends more vitamin B12 without supplementation, neurological damage can occur, in addition to increased risk for mental illness, heart attack, and stroke.

Symptoms of prolonged vitamin B12 deficiency include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Muscular soreness
• Heart palpitations
• Feeling out of breath
• Frequent numbness in legs and arms
• Muscle spasms
• “Electric shock” sensations
• Burning mouth syndrome
• Difficulty walking
• Weakened motor control
• Dizziness and vertigo
• Severe depression
• Aggressiveness
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Blurred or double vision
• Eye shakiness
• Tinnitus ear ringing

Wanna copy Madonna? Get your B12

So, by getting her mega doses of vitamin B12 and eating gut-friendly foods containing healthy bacteria, Madonna is effectively maintaining healthy B12 levels, and reaping the benefits of increased energy, mental clarity, an active metabolism, and maximum neurological health.

Vitamin B12 shots are available by prescription only, but an excellent over-the-counter option (minus the pain) is a weekly vitamin B12 patch, which is also inexpensive, practical, and highly digestible.

Please tell us…

What other celebrities can you name who take vitamin B12 shots?

Do you get scheduled doses of vitamin B12? If so, do you often feel as if you’re still fatigued? Many patients of vitamin B12 deficiency simply need OTC vitamin B12, in addition to what their doctor’s prescribing.

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.

Read more about vitamin B12 for energy

Will Vitamin B12 Boost Energy if I don’t have B12 Deficiency? YES!

The Vitamin B12 Patch for Energy

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome- What is it, exactly?

References:

Madonna Longevity Secret Aids Bacteria Boom

Algae acquire vitamin B12 through a symbiotic relationship with bacteria

Images:

Wikimedia, stephen_d_luke

Which nutrients are best for your brain? Vitamin B12 is one, as it protects your nervous system and prevents signs of dementia like memory loss and paranoia.  Now, researchers also advise eating lots of B12-rich foods for better brain health.

B12 for your nerves

Vitamin B12 is one of many B vitamins that your body needs for optimum brain health.  Vitamin B12 maintains the coating of myelin that protects each individual nerve cell from damage.  A deficiency in vitamin B12 could eventually result in erosion of your myelin sheath, leaving your nerve cells exposed and vulnerable.

Can Vitamin B12 Repair Nerve Cells?

Without enough B12 to sustain myelin, you would suffer numerous debilitating and possibly irreversible neurological problems, including:

• Painful numbness and tingling in hands and feet
• Movement disorders like difficulty walking, and poor motor skills
• Muscular pain
• Seizures
• Twitches
• Vision problems
• Altered sense of taste
• Burning mouth syndrome

B12 and memory

Vitamin B12 also maintains healthy cognitive functioning, as evidenced by several clinical studies on brain health.

• Senior citizens with healthy levels of vitamin B12 score better on tests of mental acuity, memory, and reasoning than their peers with vitamin B12 deficiency.
• MRI brain scans of elderly test participants reveal healthy, optimal brain mass among people with normal vitamin B12 levels, as opposed to people of the same age with vitamin B12 deficiency, whose brain scans indicated brain shrinkage, signifying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease dementia.
• Parents of children with autism have noted improved cognitive functioning and fewer symptoms of autism with supplementation of vitamin B12.

Autism, B12 and Your Child

Vitamin B12 deficiency is detrimental to brain health, resulting in symptoms like:

• Chronic fatigue
• Loss of short-term memory
• Poor concentration skills
• Decreased math skills
• Increased risk for early dementia
• Brain fog
• Irritability
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Aggressiveness
• Hallucinations

Getting enough B12

There’s no upper limit for vitamin B12, so there’s no harm in getting as much B12 in your system as possible.

Foods containing vitamin B12 include:

• Lean beef
• Chicken
• Turkey
• Organ meats
• Finned fish
• Shellfish
• Cheese
• Yogurt
• Eggs

Obviously, if you follow a strict vegan diet, then you should supplement with vitamin B12.  Even if you aren’t vegan or vegetarian, you can benefit greatly from taking mega-doses of B12.

• If several scientific studies, people without vitamin B12 deficiency experienced more energy, better sports performance, and reported increased feelings of wellbeing with large routine doses of vitamin B12.
• A large number of people “accidentally” become vitamin B12 deficient because they are unable to digest vitamin B12 from the foods they eat.  These include people with autoimmune disorders, digestive disorders, and diabetics using metformin.  Also, anybody who has had a gastric bypass or other intestinal surgery can take vitamin B12 in the form of a B12 shot or patch in order to compensate for low levels of vitamin B12.

Read more about B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 Deficiency-13 Illnesses that Block B12 Absorption

The Spoon Theory and Pernicious Anemia: Are you a Spoonie?

Fight Chronic Fatigue with Vitamin B-12, plus 10 Energy Tips!

Please tell us…

Which type of vitamin B12 supplement do you currently take to avoid B12 deficiency?

Are you satisfied with the results, or do you feel that you still don’t get enough energy?

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.

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phanlop88, imagerymajestic, Nutdanai Apikhomboonwaroot, MR LIGHTMAN

According to latest research, vitamin B12-filled foods like fish are influential in delaying Alzheimer’s disease and preventing brain shrinkage.

Why Vitamin B12?

You always knew that fish was “brain food,” but probably didn’t know why.  The answer could be in vitamin B12, a nutrient that occurs naturally in foods like beef, salmon, clams, and cheese.

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) protects your nerve cells, supports DNA synthesis, and lowers homocysteine levels.  That’s why people who don’t get enough vitamin B12 in their diet, or are simply unable to digest vitamin B12 from foods, begin the suffer debilitating symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, leading to nerve damage, loss of energy, and increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency

• Constant fatigue
• Decreased short-term memory
• Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Hallucinations
• Paranoia
• Painful tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
• Difficulty walking
• Frequent clumsiness
• Sore, burning tongue
• Altered taste perception
• Tinnitus (ear ringing)
• Restless leg syndrome

B12 and Alzheimer’s disease

A 2011 study published in Neurology on senior citizens’ diet and Alzheimer’s disease risks  found a direct correlation between vitamin consumption, including vitamin B12, and greater cognitive skills, including memory, problem-solving, and reasoning.

They found that senior citizens who ate foods rich in vitamin B12, C, D, and E scored better in cognitive tests than their peers who didn’t sustain sufficient levels of vitamin B12, thereby reducing their chances of suffering early Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.

Additionally, MRI scans confirmed that vitamin B12 directly affects brain health, as brain scans of senior citizens who had normal or elevated vitamin B12 levels revealed the most brain mass, while elderly individuals who had poor vitamin B12 levels demonstrated the type of brain shrinkage associated with onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Read more here: Here’s Your Brain on B12 Deficiency- Memory Loss and Aging

Where can I get vitamin B12?

Most people get plenty of vitamin B12 from eating a diet that includes lean beef and chicken, fresh seafood, cheese, yogurt, and eggs.  Unless you follow a strict vegan diet, you probably consume enough vitamin B12 to avoid becoming deficient.

But not necessarily.

A staggering number of people don’t get enough vitamin B12, resulting in one of the most widespread nutritional deficiencies since rickets and scurvy.  And the cause has nothing to do with diet.

In fact, so many illnesses and lifestyle choices may interfere with vitamin B12 absorption, that the only way to be certain you’re in the clear is to take a blood screening for vitamin B12 levels.

The following factors all correlate with vitamin B12 deficiency:

• Family history of vitamin B12 deficiency or pernicious anemia
• History of autoimmune disorders such as fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), and Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Presence of intrinsic factor (IF) antibody
• Previous gastrointestinal surgery, including gastric bypass
• Chronic vomiting
• Damage to the stomach lining
• Usage of metformin for diabetes
• Usage of protein pump inhibitors (PPIs) for GERD
• Old age

If your vitamin B12 levels are low despite eating meat, fish, and chicken, then you most likely can’t digest vitamin B12 in the stomach.  Your only alternative to avoid vitamin B12 deficiency is to deposit vitamin B12 directly into the blood stream.

Popular methods for non-dietary vitamin B12 supplementation are vitamin B12 shots, vitamin B12 patches, and (less effective) sublingual vitamin B12 tablets.

Read more about B12 and the brain

Can Vitamin B12 Deficiency cause Dementia?

Aging begins at 45- Tips on how to Prevent Early Memory Loss

Please tell us…

Do you have any questions or suggestions?  Please leave your comments below.

Share with your friends!

If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.

References

Nutrient biomarker patterns, cognitive function, and MRI measures of brain aging

Good Nutrition Keeps Brain in Shape

Images:

smokedsalmon, Ambro, vichie81