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09
February
2011
Vitamins 101
What Can B Vitamins Do For You and Your Health - Part 2
Below is the second half of the information on the health benefits of B Vitamins.
Vitamin B5, B6, B9, and B12:
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenate or Pantothenic Acid)
Vitamin B5, B6, B9, and B12:
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenate or Pantothenic Acid)
- This vitamin is known as the anti-stress vitamin! It helps the adrenal hormones, helps form antibodies, helps absorb other vitamins, is essential for the production of neurotransmitters, can prevent anemia, helps battle depression and anxiety, and converts the food you eat into energy.
- The synthetic version of this vitamin is not found in food and is processed with formaldehyde (yummy!).
- Deficiencies in B5 may manifest as headaches, nausea, exhausted adrenal glands, lack of energy, fatigue, and tingling in the hands.
- The best way to maximize your B5 is to eat lots of raw fruits and vegetables as cooking decreases the B5 in meat by up to 50% and up to 78% in vegetables.
- Food Sources: Organ meats, yeast, egg yolks, broccoli, legumes, mushrooms, nuts, and fresh veggies.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
- This vitamin involved in an large amount of bodily functions. It effects physical and mental health, is required by the nervous system, helps with water retention, helps absorb fats and protein, helps synthesize RNA and DNA, helps with cellular growth, helps maintain mineral levels like sodium and potassium, activates enzymes, helps absorb vitamin B12, required to produce hydrochloric acid, and blood cells etc.
- It is also known to build the immune system, prevent cancer, arteriosclerosis, and cholesterol, breaks down and prevents kidney stones, helps with PMS, arthritis, and asthma!
- Synthetic Vitamin B6 is not found in food and actually inhibits the body's natural B6 (can you imagine not being able to properly perform all of the functions above!?) It also uses formaldehyde in its production.
- Natural B6 absorption can be blocked by antidepressants, estrogen hormonal therapy, birth control pills, and diuretics.
- Signs of B6 deficiencies: flaky skin, headaches, anemia, acne, arthritis, depression, dizziness, fatigue, irritability, hair loss, hearing problems, stunted growth, carpal tunnel, inflammation, memory loss, (and all of the things it is designed to prevent).
- Note: Many pregnant women experience morning sickness because they are deficient in vitamin B6.
- Food sources: Nutritional and brewer's yeast and rice bran contain more B6 than any other food. Other great sources include potatoes, eggs, peas, spinach, cabbage, chicken, molasses, beans, and bananas.
Vitamin B9 (Folate)
- This vitamin was first known as "Vitamin M" and was given to pregnant women to prevent anemia (which can be caused by a deficiency in this vitamin). B9 is food for the brain and helps produce energy, builds immunity, form red blood cell, the function of white blood cells, DNA and RNA synthesis, helps metabolize protein, supports the female reproductive system, amino acid levels, and is absolutely necessary for proper fetal development.
- The synthetic version of B9 is known as folic acid. Folic acid is not found in foods but folate is. According to a study reported by Dr. Victor Herbert, consuming more than 266mg of folic acid may inhibit the body's ability to absorb natural folate for a period of years! Synthetic B9 can also cause a vitamin B12 deficiency. Do you realize that per the FDA, ALL grain products (the ones that say "enriched") must be fortified with folic acid? Yikes!
- To maximize your B9 absorption, consume more fruits and veggies (like asparagus, dates, oranges, green leafy veggies, mushrooms, and peas), avoid over-cooking, the microwave, refined foods, limit alcohol consumption, and consume B12 and vitamin C (which help absorb B9). Birth control pills will also inhibit B9.
- Deficiencies signs: sore red tongue, birth defects like spina bifida, gray hair, digestive issues, difficulty breathing, and insomnia.
Vitamin B12:
- And last but not least, we have Vitamin B12! This vitamin was first used to prevent anemia caused by a B12 deficiency.
- Synthetic (USP) vitamin B12 inhibits the body's ability to absorb and metabolize natural B12 and makes one even more deficient (leading to B12 injections to bring up the levels). The synthetic version is also produced using cyanide; hence the synthetic B12 is known as "Cyanocobalamine."
- Vitamin B12 is needed for the digestive system, fertility, cell growth, nervous system, and neurological functions. It may help those with Bell's Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, and nerve regeneration.
- Deficiencies in this vitamin may manifest as: Chronic fatigue Syndrome, enlarged liver, bone loss, constipation, depression, eye problems, inflammation, moodiness, memory loss, neurological damage, and anemia.
- There is a huge list of things that can inhibit the body's metabolism and absorption of B12....most of which are medications: anti gout medications, antibiotics, cholesterol medications, birth control pills, SYNTHETIC potassium supplements, and anti-depression medications.
- Food Sources: Beef, eggs, brewer's yeast, fish, raw or organic butter, dulse, kelp, and beans.
We have only been through the A and B vitamins! Can you see how something as simple as how you cook your food or how a "simple" medication or prescription/generic vitamin can effect your natural vitamin levels which in turn, can lead to all sorts of health issues?
About the Author
Megan Heimer, NHT, JD
Megan is a lawyer, natural health therapist, registered yoga teacher, has a Bachelors degree in political science, and will soon complete her naturopathic doctorate. She has extensive knowledge in holistic nutrition, natural health, and alternative medicine. Megan is currently conducting research on various natural health topics, writing a book, and counsels clients all over the world. Her personal experience with many of today’s health issues allows her to relate easily to her clients and provide the healing protocol that best fits their needs.
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