TriVita Article:Skin Disorders and What They Mean
March 21, 2009 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
Attractive skin is really a reflection of inner health. Good health comes only from healthy habits. This is a natural law.by Dr Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer
Friends and enemies
Collagen and healthy fats are best-friends to healthy skin. They give skin its firmness and elasticity. Collagen is made from nutrients such as Vitamin C and glucosamine. Healthy fats in your skin come from healthy fats in your diet, including supplemental essential fatty acids. Fats in your skin are protected by antioxidants such as Vitamin E and those found in green tea.
Free radicals are your skin’s enemies. These naturally occurring inflammatory substances overwhelm and harm your skin. As a result, your skin may become looser, weaker, less elastic and drier. Remember, when collagen and fat loss is making your skin look bad it is also aging your entire body.
Your skin becomes the battlefield between free radical damage and nutrients supporting healthy skin. Trauma, toxins, deficiency and stress create free radicals. Antioxidants from your diet and dietary supplements neutralize free radicals. When nutrient reserves fail, skin disorders begin. The most common skin disorders include eczema, psoriasis and seborrhea dermatitis.
Eczema
Eczema is inflammation of the skin. The term eczema has come to be associated with a specific type of dermatitis, called atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, non-contagious condition.
Symptoms: Itchy, inflamed skin.
Causes: Although eczema can develop at any age, it is most common in infants and children. It is estimated that 65% of people with eczema develop symptoms in the first year of life, and 90% develop symptoms before age five. The condition often improves in adulthood, but 50% of those affected as children are affected throughout life. Eczema is closely associated with asthma and hay fever. All together, they are called atopy. Atopy tends to run in families.
Responds to: Eczema responds well to essential fatty acid supplements, which help keep histamine levels low and nourish the fat pads under the skin. It also responds well to anti-stress herbs called adaptogens and Vitamin B-12, which help protect the collagen links from free radical destruction. Vitamin D and aloe vera have been used to balance the immune system response to anxiety and stress – known triggers for eczema.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious skin condition.
Symptoms: Psoriasis is characterized by scaling and inflammation. The inflamed skin is most commonly found on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. It may cause pain and discomfort by cracking.
Causes: Currently, it is estimated that 5.5 million people in the U.S. have psoriasis. Psoriasis may be a disorder of the immune system. A type of white blood cell that normally protects the body against infection and disease triggers inflammation and causes skin to shed too rapidly. Psoriasis flare-ups may be triggered by a variety of factors, including infection, toxins, climate, certain medications and stress.
Up to 11% of people with psoriasis develop a condition called psoriatic arthritis when the inflamed areas of the skin are accompanied by joint inflammation.
Responds to: Psoriasis responds well to nourishment with essential fatty acids such as those found in OmegaPrime. Stress protection with adaptogens and Vitamin B-12 is also helpful in many people. Vitamin D has also been used for people with psoriasis to balance the immune system response to stress.
Seborrhea dermatitis
Seborrhea dermatitis is a chronic skin condition.
Symptoms: Scaly, itchy rash. Most commonly affected areas are along the hairline, in and behind the ears, on the eyebrows, around the nose and on the chest. Dandruff is a type of seborrhea dermatitis.
Causes: Common skin yeast organisms, called Malassezia, may play a role in seborrhea dermatitis. It seems to run in families and is associated with disorders of the immune system and the nervous system. Seborrhea dermatitis is strongly associated with Parkinson’s disease.
Responds to: Seborrhea dermatitis responds to supplementation with essential fatty acids as do many other skin conditions. The EFAs in OmegaPrime help reduce inflammation, nourish the fat pads under the skin and soothe the immune system. Seborrhea, like most other skin conditions, is triggered by stress. Protection against stress with adaptogens and Vitamin B-12 is often helpful.
Conclusion
The best expression of a balanced, healthy life is often reflected in your skin. Health only comes from healthy habits practiced daily over time. These habits are reflected in the philosophy of the 10 Essentials of Health and Wellness. Learn and live the 10 Essentials for enduring health. Take antioxidant nutrients, anti-stress nutrients, immune balancing nutrients and essential fatty acids and you are on your way to radiant health – inside and out!
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Source: TriVita Weekly Wellness Report March 21 2009
TriVita Article On Twin Puzzles of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
March 19, 2009 by admin
Filed under Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Sublingual B-12
The Twin Puzzles of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
How B vitamin supplementation may help by Dr. Scott Conard
Many puzzles are yet to be solved by modern medicine. As we continue to seek causes and solutions for the ills that plague mankind, confusion still swirls around two of the more “mysterious” ailments: chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FMS).
During National Chronic Fatigue Awareness Month in March, it’s appropriate to look at these two issues together, since they’re often paired in medical literature. They have some important traits in common:
We don’t know what causes either CFS or fibromyalgia
They share several symptoms
There is no cure
The confusion around these two syndromes is fed by their overlapping nature: It’s estimated that up to 70% of people diagnosed with CFS also fit the clinical guidelines for FMS, and vice versa. Most people with CFS have some kind of pain, which is a major symptom of FMS. And most people with FMS report fatigue, a major symptom of CFS. No wonder even doctors can be unsure which is which.
Vitamin B-12 and folic acid for managing symptoms
We do know, however, that many physicians and researchers (along with patients) support supplementation – including Vitamin B-12 and folic acid – as an important part of managing symptoms. Here’s a thumbnail look that helps explain why:
CFS: As the name suggests, this is a disorder that causes extreme fatigue. This fatigue is not the tiredness that goes away after you rest. Instead, it lasts a long time and limits your ability to do ordinary daily activities.
Symptoms of CFS include fatigue for six months or more, and other problems such as muscle pain, memory problems, headaches, pain in multiple joints, sleep problems, sore throat and tender lymph nodes. It is most common in women in their 40s and 50s, but anyone can have it. It can last for years.
FMS: Fibromyalgia makes you feel tired and causes muscle pain and “tender points.” Tender points are places on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms or legs that hurt when touched. Other symptoms can include trouble sleeping, morning stiffness, headaches, and problems with thinking and memory, sometimes called “fibro fog.”
No one knows what causes fibromyalgia. Anyone can get it, but it is most common in middle-aged women. People with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases are especially prone to fibromyalgia.
Supporting mental function with B vitamins
Notice that both syndromes can affect mental function: memory and thinking problems can arise, and this may be a key to the use of B vitamins. As you may know, the medical links between B vitamins and brain function are strong and well documented.
So, it isn’t surprising that healthcare professionals in both traditional and alternative medicine, including experts in CFS and FMS, support the use of B vitamins and folic acid to help manage symptoms.
If you or a loved one have, or suspect you have, one of these confusing syndromes, it’s important to know that both are much more than just being tired, or having some muscle pain. CFS and FMS are often misunderstood, and deserve attention and treatment. I urge you to consult with your healthcare professional, and to see how the highest quality B vitamin supplementation might help.
Source: TriVita VitaJournal March 2009 pg 6.
TriVita Asks What’s The Connection Between Mental, Dental Health & Your Heart
February 28, 2009 by admin
Filed under Heart Disease
by Brazos Minshew, TriVita’s Chief Science Officer
Previously, we discussed the effect of loneliness on heart health. Powerful chemicals from the brain alter the way the heart functions. The heart and blood vessels respond with inflammation. Arteries harden, the efficiency of the heart muscle is reduced as the heart enlarges, and heart failure results.Heart health, dental health
Coronary artery disease (CAD) usually progresses slowly over many years. The first sign of CAD is often a fatal heart attack. Because CAD is silent, it becomes imperative to practice preventive medicine such as testing for C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as blood pressure and cholesterol. However, another form of heart disease progresses quite rapidly. It is called “single-artery disease.”
Other triggers of heart disease are related to dental health. Curiously, dental health and mental health are also strongly related. How does this happen? Which comes first in this triad of triggers for heart disease?
Single artery disease clogs a single artery while all or most other blood vessels remain clean. It can happen when injury or infection creates inflammation in the absence of disease:
- Dental infection: One of the most common bacteria comes from a dental infection. Bacteria from inflamed gums can escape into the bloodstream and attack a single blood vessel in or near the heart.
- Inflammation: Inflammation in the gums attracts white blood cells by means of protein messengers called cytokines. Some of these messengers leak into the bloodstream and attract white blood cells. White blood cells infiltrate the infected area because of the messenger cytokines. Cytokines that leak into the bloodstream and enter the heart may send the wrong message. It may also result in white blood cells attacking an artery in the heart. This is the beginning of single artery disease: white blood cells attracted by cytokines penetrate a single artery in the heart and cause blockage.
Smoking increases the number of bacteria in the mouth and causes LDL cholesterol to become stickier. This bad habit also increases inflammation in the entire body. Bacteria, LDL and inflammation make for a lethal combination for CAD and single artery disease.
Dental health, mental health
Mental illness comes in a variety of different forms: from anxiety and bipolar disorder to depression, schizophrenia and beyond. Among the common manifestations of these disorders is lack of attention to dental care. Irregular brushing and flossing will lead to a buildup of potentially lethal bacteria. As a result, cardiovascular disease is a common companion of mental illness.
Other aspects of personal care suffer from this same inattentiveness, including diet, exercise and rest. As you know, these habits are foundations for physical and mental health. Without these essentials in place, the health spirals downward and heart failure is one of many possibilities.
Conclusion
It seems that illnesses such as CAD and heart failure are much more complex than we ever imagined. Emotional distress, dental neglect, smoking and inflammation may all combine to create vascular disease. Constant attention to the 10 Essentials of Health and Wellness and normal biological needs like dental care can help us avoid many triggers for CAD and heart failure.
Essential #4 concerns nutrients that every body needs. Essential fatty acids like those found in TriVita’s OmegaPrime can help protect against inflammation. Vitamin C can also help reduce inflammation by cooling oxidative stress and TriVita Sublingual B-12, TriVita HCY Guard helps reduce inflammatory homocysteine. I especially like TriVita Adaptogen 10 Plus because it helps reduce the impact of stress while providing antioxidant protection. Nutrients and nurturing – including proper dental care – give us the best foundation for a life of meaning and purpose.
Take Control of Your Health
- Practice good dental hygiene
- Brush at least twice daily for two minutes
- Floss after meals
- Get dental cleanings and checkups twice a year
- Take Healthy Aging nutrients
- A multiple vitamin/mineral supplement
- TriVita Omega-3 supplement
- A Sublingual Vitamin B-12
- A Vitamin C supplement
- Reduce stress and use adaptogens when needed
- Learn and live TriVita’s 10 Essentials!
Source: TriVita Weekly Wellness Report February 28, 2009
How Vitamin B-12 Became a Mainstay of Wellness
February 18, 2009 by admin
Filed under Sublingual B-12, TriVita Products
Dr. Libby brought his depth of knowledge to TriVita’s early TV programming.
Dr. Libby’s legacy of pioneering continues by Dr. Scott Conard
“To ‘B’ or not to ‘B’” – that was the title of an address I gave at a wellness conference in Scottsdale, Arizona recently. I was speaking, of course, about Vitamin B-12, and the event gave me the chance to review its growth from an undervalued vitamin to a recognized powerhouse in health. It also gave me the chance to recall my early involvement with TriVita® and respect for the work of Alfred Libby, M.D., the inventor of TriVita Sublingual B-12, B-6 and Folic Acid.
As you may know, Dr. Libby was a pioneer in nutrients and health, and an associate of Linus Pauling, Ph.D., the two-time Nobel Laureate and “Father of Vitamin C.” Early in his career, Dr. Libby discovered the dramatic health changes that B-12 could make, and worked for decades to raise awareness.
“We’ve given people back their lives”
Along with B-12, Dr. Libby was the “star” of the original TriVita TV infomercials beginning in 2000. It is still his original, patented formula (contained in over 11 million boxes of Sublingual B-12 sold) that has helped so many. Here, I’ve selected some of his memorable thoughts:
“We’ve given people back their lives,” Dr. Libby said. At the time, painful and expensive injections were the only way to supplement effectively with B-12. And, undiagnosed B-12 deficiency caused untold damage.
“B-12 deficiency, undiagnosed and untreated, wreaks havoc,” he declared. This “havoc” took many forms: • Moodiness • Low energy • A heart-damaging buildup of homocysteine • High cholesterol
He would talk about patients who, with Sublingual B-12, went from moodiness and lethargy to enthusiasm and energy… older people, sent to nursing homes because they were disruptive and difficult, becoming “functional human beings again”… heart patients having their blood pressure and cholesterol levels stabilized.
A key element in Dr. Libby’s Sublingual B-12 is its unique delivery system: “sublingual” means under the tongue, where the tablets dissolve and get quickly into the bloodstream. This is crucial to maximum absorption and maximum benefit.
Dramatic effects, and a change of career
In my own medical practice, I found the same kinds of patient results that Dr. Libby witnessed years before. In fact, that’s how I came to be associated with TriVita and Sublingual B-12. For years, my medical practice specialized in treating the elderly. Patients would come into my office complaining that they had no energy, felt “low” and depressed and they would beg for B-12 “shots.” After their shots they became so much more alive, so much more well, that I changed course in my career.
I founded TienaHealth to focus on preventive medicine, convinced that the way to make a difference in people’s lives was to help them get the vitamins and nutrients they need before health issues arise. After the world lost Dr. Libby in 2002, I began speaking up about Sublingual B-12 for TriVita, and am proud to continue today.
My own experience has shown me the truth of Dr. Libby’s statement: “It’s so fulfilling, so gratifying to be involved with this (Sublingual B-12)… and with the right company, TriVita.”
On his original infomercial, Dr. Libby would gesture toward the phone banks and say, “When I see the phones light up it reminds me of the song, ‘You Light Up My Life.’ That’s how I feel when I see those lights; people’s lives are lighting up.”
Having seen so many lives “light up” with Sublingual B-12, I can only say I wholeheartedly agree.
Source: TriVita VitaJournal February 2009 pg 6.
TriVita – What Causes Bad Breath?
by Brazos Minshew, TriVita Chief Science Officer
One of the most common complaints among people today is poor digestion. This becomes even more distressing when personal issues like poor digestion develop into social issues like bad breath. The signs and symptoms of digestive imbalance are important as we learn to listen to our body.
Learning to listen
Imagine you had to write a book describing in detail how the ecology of our earth functions – how the rain cycle works, photosynthesis, biodiversity, seasons, and so on. Now imagine you could use only 100 words. Would that be a challenge? Absolutely!
Your body has only a few words in its vocabulary. See how many you can name:
- Fatigue
- Pain – sharp or dull
- Bleeding
- Constipation or diarrhea
You get the picture. Your body must communicate an infinitely complex system with just a few “words” in the form of symptoms. So, we need to listen carefully when our body speaks to us.
The heartbreak of halitosis
Digestion begins when we feel the sense of hunger and anticipate satisfying our needs with certain foods we crave. When we see and smell those foods our anticipation is heightened and we begin to secrete digestive juices in preparation for eating. Our mouth may water; this is because digestion begins in our mouth when we chew food and mix it with saliva.
It is important to thoroughly chew our food in order to neutralize the carbohydrates found in absolutely everything we eat. One reason why some people have bad breath (halitosis) is because they just don’t chew their food well enough to neutralize the carbs. It may also be the sign of a more serious health condition.
Slow down when you eat. You will enjoy your meal more, have sweeter breath and digest your food better.
Vitamins and digestion
Our intestines are teeming with trillions of bacteria – most of them friendly! These bacteria are needed to help us utilize our vitamins and minerals. The vitamins and minerals from our food are often not in the form we need them. They must be converted through several steps in order for us to get the benefit from them.
A good example of this is TriVita B-12
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- Vitamin B-12 must first bind with protein and be digested in the stomach with pepsin, which is a combination of enzymes and acids.
- B-12 must be “tagged” for identification by another stomach protein called intrinsic factor. When B-12 reaches the small intestines, certain friendly bacteria begin to convert this complex. So now we have B-12, intrinsic factor, protein and bacteria all combining to prepare our vitamin for transport into the liver.
- When B-12 reaches the liver it is bound to fiber and secreted through the bile back into the small intestines. More bacteria break down the vitamin into even smaller fractions.
- This is repeated several times throughout our digestive cycle until the bacteria and fiber ferment the B-12; once the B-12 is fermented it can be absorbed by the liver. This may take up to three weeks.
Any imbalance in this system will result in indigestion of B-12. Any sign of indigestion or imbalance is a major red flag, warning that you are not digesting your vitamins, especially Vitamin B-12. These signs can include:
- Excess acid
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Bad breath
Take care of your digestion by eating nutritiously. Be sure to include:
- Water
- Fiber
- Probiotics
- Vitamin B-12
- Proteins
- Healthy carbohydrates
- Healthy fats
Remember, your digestion can also be impaired by stress. So consider ways to reduce your stress, and supplement your diet with TriVita Adaptogens to protect digestive health from stress. And don’t forget the joy of eating. Joy is really a sign of acceptance. Acceptance is essential for emotional health as we learn to listen to the subtle language of our body.
Sources: TriVita Weekly Wellness Report February 7, 2009
Why Vitamin D Stands For “illness-fighter”
By Dr. Tammy Pon
Practically every day another benefit of Vitamin D is revealed. Vitamin D is created when our skin is exposed to sunshine. It is also present in our diet, mainly in cold-water fish and dark green vegetables.
A recent newspaper headline read, “Vitamin D Linked to Parkinson’s disease.” At first glance, it may not be clear if Vitamin D is a culprit or an “illness-fighter.” Well, in fact, just as Vitamin D helps build bones, Vitamin D plays a role in building our brains – it is an “illness-fighter.”
Vitamin D and Parkinson’s
Previous studies have shown that the part of the brain affected most by Parkinson’s, the substantia nigra, has high levels of the Vitamin D receptor, which suggests Vitamin D may be important for normal functions of these cells.
If we look at other Vitamin D research, low levels of Vitamin D have been found to be associated with:
• Many neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
• Autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis
• Metabolic disorders such as diabetes.
Vitamin D is formed when sunlight strikes the skin and interacts with cholesterol. Its main to the bones.
Vitamin D – a messenger
Information is carried by a number of messengers inside your body, including proteins and fats. Vitamin D can also act like a messenger, telling the cells how much work to do.
Think of this like building a house. Proteins give specific instructions in the same way a carpenter may decide how best to connect walls and windows and doors. Fats may serve as the building materials for the entire house. Vitamin D serves as the general contractor to determine how much building should be done at any specific time.
We certainly need proteins and protein complexes of Vitamin B-12 to create the structures making up our brain. We also need the fats found in such products as OmegaPrime® to serve as raw materials and general information on brain repair. We need Vitamin D to tell us how much brain to build when we are young and how much repair work to do as we age.
Why winter is the time for more Vitamin D
We get Vitamin D from sunlight, foods and supplements. Because we are exposed to less sunshine in the winter than in the summer, we need to be more vigilant about supplementing with Vitamin D and exposing our skin to sunshine whenever practical. Most doctors who recommend Vitamin D explain that winter cold and flu outbreaks are directly related to Vitamin D deficiency.
If you take supplements to ensure you’re getting enough Vitamin D, make sure they’re the type that your body can really use. It’s best to take supplements formulated for maximum absorption, such as TriVita’s VitaCal-Mag D™ or TriVita Bone Builder. This way, you can help ensure that you’re getting the full benefits of Vitamin D to meet the serious challenges of daily life.
Source: TriVita VitaJournal January 2009 pg 25.
TriVita Super Sublingual B-12
January 21, 2009 by admin
Filed under Sublingual B-12
B-12 deficiency can sometimes result in more than a lack of energy
With all the hectic demands of today, most people could use more energy. However, if you consistently experience exhaustion, irritability, forgetfulness or brain fog, it may be a sign of something more serious. In fact, any of these conditions could be a sign of B-12 deficiency.
Every “body” can lose B vitamins
There are many things in today’s world that can lead to a B vitamin deficiency. Stress is one cause. It comes in many forms – mental, physical, emotional and environmental – and it creates a demand for Vitamin B-12 within the body that’s greater than what a typical diet can supply. Similarly, certain prescription medications can cause Vitamin B-12 depletion just as easily as stress.
Diets can also lead to a deficiency in the B-12 vitamin. Most people get their B-12 vitamins from animal food products, so vegetarians and those with nutritionally poor diets greatly increase their chances of being deficient. Digestion problems are yet another cause of B-12 deficiencies. Gastric bypass surgeries, gastric reflux, IBS, colitis and other digestive conditions inhibit the body’s absorption of B-12 from foods. On top of this, your body’s ability to absorb B vitamins can start as early as age 40 and dramatically decrease every passing year.
Because there are so many ways to become Vitamin B-12 deficient, it’s important to aggressively help protect against and/or repair a deficiency by taking TriVita Super Sublingual B-12 daily. 
Learn more about vitamin B deficiency.
Ask Yourself
If you think you may have the signs of B-12 deficiency, then ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I lack energy and feel tired much of the time?
- Do I feel depressed or blue much of the time?
- Have I been under a lot of stress lately?
- Do I have brain fog or difficulty concentrating?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, chances are you’re experiencing a B-vitamin deficiency – and need to take immediate steps to remedy it. Don’t wait – because not taking care of this health risk can lead to other serious conditions.
Here’s how Super Sublingual B-12 delivers nutrients to your body and helps by improving mood, maintaining steady energy and eliminating brain fog
Learn about more ways Super Sublingual B-12 helps improve mood, energy and alertness.
Super Sublingual B-12:
- Provides a stronger concentration of B-12 for more energy and quick results
- Offers nutrients not stimulants to help provide sustained energy
- Maximizes absorption with Dr. Libby’s original patented sublingual delivery system – only found in TriVita’s products
- Provides the same benefits as a painful and expensive B-12 shot
- Speeds B vitamins directly into your bloodstream – Studies show these important nutrients can be measured in the bloodstream in as little as 30 minutes
- Ensure that you get the vital nutrients, unlike many other less reliable forms of B-12 vitamins.
- Includes ginseng for improved mental function and concentration
- Contains L-Ornithine Alpha Gluterate, to help slow aging of the brain
- Includes cocosin to work alongside vitamin B-12 for added energy
- Clinically tested for purity and effectiveness.Super Sublingual B-12’s new formulation of ingredients makes it faster acting, longer-lasting and more potent than ever before.
Product Usage Serving Size: 1 Tablet
Number of servings per package: 30 servingsRecommended Usage: Take 1 sublingual tablet every day. It’s best to take in the morning or afternoon and can be taken on a full or empty stomach.
Please note: make sure you discuss this supplement with your physician if you are pregnant or nursing.
Source: TriVita Super Sublingual B-12 webpage.
The Science Behind TriVita’s Sublingual B-12
January 20, 2009 by admin
Filed under Sublingual B-12
A growing body of research shows Vitamin B-12’s value in overall health
by Dr. Scott Conard
Does your resolution for wellness in 2009 include supplementing your healthy lifestyle with Vitamin B-12? If it doesn’t, you should be aware of mounting clinical evidence showing the connection between good health and this powerhouse vitamin. If you already supplement with B-12, this research gives you more reason to stay on track with your health habits.
Here’s a review of some of the B-12 studies that have recently made headlines. I think you’ll agree that it’s an impressive body of research.
Vitamin B-12 eases symptoms of congestive heart failure
While doctors prescribe various medications for congestive heart failure (CHF), Vitamin B-12 has been shown to be another effective way to lessen symptoms.
Vitamin B-12 helps create taurine, an amino acid which studies suggest may be useful in treating CHF symptoms. Participants in a study showed significant improvement in their ability to breathe, with a reduction in heart palpitations and fluid buildup.
Impressive relief for seasonal allergies
Several studies have suggested that Vitamin B-12 could help reduce seasonal allergies. In one clinical study, a group of seasonal allergy sufferers spent up to six weeks taking massive amounts of B-12 through sublingual delivery, just like TriVita’s Sublingual B-12, B-6 & Folic Acid. Many of the worst symptoms – sneezing, congestion and itchy, runny nose – were half as severe in the B-12 group as in the placebo group.
Mental function, vitamins and ADHD
Strong clinical evidence supports the link between essential nutrients and vitamins – particularly Vitamin B-12 – and mental function, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Studies have shown that a B-12 deficiency may decrease levels of substances needed to transmit nerve signals. This reduced ability to transmit nerve signals has shown up in brain tests conducted on children with ADHD.
In people of any age, this problem with nerve signals can lessen or damage mental functioning.
Reverse memory loss with B-12?
One of the premier medical authorities in the field, Harvard Medical School, endorses the use of B-12 to treat memory loss caused by a deficiency of this invaluable vitamin. The prestigious school supports findings that B-12 deficiency is among the reversible causes of memory loss, and that correcting this deficiency early on may help restore lost memory.
Younger people at risk for B-12 deficiency
There is clinical evidence that B-12 deficiency affects a much broader age range than many have thought. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at B-12 blood levels among participants in three age groups: 65 and over, 50-64 and 26-49. They all had approximately the same levels of B-12 deficiency. That’s right: People as young as 26 turned out to be as B-12 deficient as some people over 65.
Brain erosion linked to low Vitamin B-12 levels
People with lower levels of Vitamin B-12 were six times more likely to have brain volume loss (also called brain erosion) than those with higher B-12 levels, according to a study published in the journal Neurology.
Researchers studied 107 adults ages 61 to 87 for five years. All the participants had B-12 levels within the normal range; however, the differences in brain volume were significant between those in the normal-low range and those in the normal-high range.
Quality matters: choose TriVita Remember:
not just any B-12 tablet can give you optimum health results. TriVita’s original, patented Sublingual B-12, B-6 & Folic Acid melts under your tongue, allowing B vitamins to be absorbed quickly and directly into your bloodstream. What’s more, the nutrients in TriVita Sublingual B-12 are perfectly balanced, so they help each other create more energy.
As an early advocate of the value of B-12, I’m pleased to see my research colleagues pursuing this important area. I hope these findings give you new reason to start – or stay with – TriVita’s quality B-12 supplements.
Source: TriVita VitaJournal January 2009 pg 6.
Your World is Spinning! It Could Be Vertigo
by Dr. Brazos Minshew, Chief Science Officer
There are two times when your world will spin: When you are in love, and when you have vertigo! Since there is no cure for being in love, this Weekly Wellness Report will cover the remedies for vertigo.
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| Benign vertigo Vertigo is not usually a sign of a serious disease. It is typically transient (it comes and goes) and resolves on its own without medical care. The most common cause is an upper respiratory infection such as a sinus infection. Most people who suffer with vertigo learn instinctively to sit up slowly and avoid quick movements of the head. If benign vertigo is associated with allergies, Vitamin C is in my personal opinion an absolutely awesome antihistamine. Using the Vitamin C flush* will often bring relief from signs and symptoms of allergies. If the vertigo is associated with bronchial or sinus congestion, adding TriVita’s Breathe Easy formula to your supplement regimen can help. Breathe Easy works by drying out excessive mucous, and thinning normal body fluids. This is important because one of the causes of vertigo is abnormal movement of the fluid and crystals in the inner ear. During a recent TriVita event in Vancouver, Canada, I experienced vertigo following a head cold. I was dreading my presentation because of the dizziness. Fortunately, an enthusiastic TriVita supporter shared her Breathe Easy with me and the vertigo – as well as the head cold symptoms – cleared very rapidly. Dangerous vertigo Head trauma and clogged arteries require medical intervention. These conditions also require extra nutrients called antioxidants. An antioxidant is a special nutrient that reduces oxidation. Oxidation can be likened to rust in your blood vessels, brain and inner ear. One family of antioxidants has a special affinity for the tiny blood vessels in the frontal lobe of the brain, the inner ear and the eyes. These antioxidants are found in TriVita’s VisionGuard. A certain type of tumor called an acoustic neuroma may cause vertigo. These are rare tumors, but the incidence of acoustic neuroma seems to increase with cell phone usage. The evidence for this link is weak but troubling. Certainly, we should take appropriate precautions when using cell phones while scientists further investigate the link between cell phones and acoustic neuromas. Meniere’s disease Unfortunately, damaged nerves heal slowly. Vitamin B-12 may help speed the repair of damaged nerves. Certainly, the antioxidant remedies mentioned above may add to the health of the blood vessels in the inner ear. Learning to listen *Please check with your healthcare provider before starting the Vitamin C Flush. Source: TriVita’s Weekly Wellness Report December 6, 2008 |
Brain Erosion Can Start As Early As Age 30
December 18, 2008 by admin
Filed under Brain Erosion, Conditions
| by Dr. Scott Conard, M.D.
Most everyone has “senior moments.” You’ll be talking with someone and suddenly you can’t remember your best friend’s name or the movie you saw last night. These are fairly common place occurrences for people as they age and nothing to worry about as long as they don’t happen very often. However, if your age is creeping up to 40, 50 or 60 then you have reason to be concerned if: • Your memory is starting to slip |
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| If one or more of these is happening to you, it could be the result of brain erosion. Brain erosion means that the brain actually erodes or shrinks. Can the brain really shrink? Yes it can! The human brain may lose from 10 to 25 percent of its total volume due to the effects of stress.
That’s scary enough, but now brain erosion is happening to people at a much younger age than in the past. Statistics from the 1970s and 1980s found brain erosion only in people over 50. However, a major study conducted by Washington University (St. Louis, Missouri) detected brain volume loss as early as age 30. Researchers also discovered that this brain volume loss often leads to dementia. People under the age of 30 may also lose cognitive function as a result of asthma, ADHD, allergies, digestive issues or diabetes. These medical issues can result in a much lower B vitamin absorption rate. That means the brain is literally “starving” for the right kind of nutrition. B vitamins, especially B-12, are so important because they help increase the effectiveness of other essential nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids. Why are we seeing this dramatic change over a few decades? Stress and its damaging effects on our bodies is a major reason. Stress may come from the pollution in our environment, lack of nutrients in our foods, the accumulation of small and large injuries that we carry with us, the relentless expectations that we place on ourselves and the pressure of other people’s expectations of us. Stress places such a demand on us that it overcomes our body’s ability to cope. Brain erosion is one result. How can you tell if your brain is shrinking? You may initially have a nagging feeling that your mental performance is starting to slide – that you are no longer at your peak. When this happens, it’s easy to feel frightened, depressed or frustrated, thinking that your mental abilities are slipping away. But don’t despair or lose hope, because there is a lot you can do to slow and even repair brain erosion. Vitamin B-12 is the answer Your brain may be lacking some of the essential building blocks it needs to thrive – especially B-12 or Omega-3 fatty acids. This lack can cause your brain volume to shrink. But Vitamin B can help protect against this. This was confirmed by a University of Illinois study which stated that people with greater B-12 intake were also able to maintain greater brain volume for a longer period of their life. So, how eager are you to do whatever it takes to improve brain fitness now and help protect against much worse problems like dementia from developing? I know I’m dedicated and that’s why I’m such a strong believer in B-12 supplementation. Based upon research studies, it should begin as early as age 30. While there’s nothing that’s going to stop you from having an occasional “senior moment”, you should feel heartened to know that Vitamin B-12 is readily available and easy to take. Now’s the time to turn back the clock on brain erosion. Don’t lose any more brain cells to poor nutrition, stress and bad habits. Reclaim your mental energy, ease irritability and slow brain erosion with Vitamin B-12. B-12 is the key to reclaiming your mental energy Source: VitaJournal June 2008 pg 6 |
