Vitamin B12, the energy vitamin Vitamin B12 is a powerhouse, it helps make DNA, nerve and blood cells and is crucial for a healthy brain and immune system. It is estimated that up to 15% of people don't get enough of this essential nutrient. Sign and symptoms Vitamin isn't nicknamed the energy vitamin by chance. Inadequate intake affects red blood cell production, one of the earliest signs of a deficiency include fatigue, weakness and confusion, but as these symptoms could be attributed to many other possible causes, most people don't seek medical advice. However, if these symptoms persist for weeks, and include dizziness, impaired thinking, and confusion. It would be wise to consult your doctor Who's a risk of deficiency Vitamin B12 is only found in animal products like eggs, meat, shellfish, and dairy and many groups of people …show more content…
Alcohol also contributes to a deficiency in another way too. B12 is stored in the liver, and drinking alcohol can impair liver function and deplete B12 stores or make it harder for the liver to use it. Medication Some indigestion and heartburn medications can suppress the production of stomach acid, which is needed to absorb vitamin B12. Long-term use of oral contraceptives is associated with vitamin B12 absorbing difficulties Weight loss surgery Gastric bypass surgery results in a reduced absorption of all nutrients and also a protein called intrinsic factor which is needed to help the body absorb B12. As this often a permanent problem people who have had surgery are prescribed supplements for the rest of their life. Common sign and symptoms of low Vitamin B12 include; • Extreme tiredness or fatigue • A lack of energy or lethargy • Being out of breath • Feeling faint • Headache • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) • Lack of
Good nutrition and its role in positively affecting athletic performance has become more and more evident almost daily. Specific macro and micronutrients are better understood as to their specific functions within the body and from that how they can influence the body’s ability to perform while under duress. An example of such would be the stress of athletic performance. Vitamin D, which is also referred to as cholecalciferol, is one of the fat soluble vitamins that have been attributed to influencing athletic performance. However, vitamin D is not as much a “performance enhancing” nutrient in the sense that when taken in higher amounts it will aid athletic performance, but rather when in deficient amounts it can hinder athletic performance.
Korsakoff’s syndrome is a brain disorder that is related to heavy alcohol use over a long period of time. This disorder is caused by a lack of Thiamine, or vitamin B1. Excessive amounts of alcohol use lead to Thiamine deficiency, which affects the brain and nervous system. Thiamine deficiency can be caused by poor eating habits, as heavy drinkers typically do not have nutritional diets that fulfill their vitamin needs. Alcohol can also disrupt the process in which Thiamine is changed into the active form, Thiamine Pyrophosphate. Alcohol also inflames the stomach lining, causing vomiting; again, this affects the body’s absorption of key vitamins. The effect alcohol has on the liver also affects the storage of these vitamins. Korsakoff’s syndrome is also related to another brain disorder, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This syndrome involves the Korsakoff syndrome and also Wernicke. Wernicke’s syndrome involves undernutrition, jerky eye movements, poor balance, and memory loss, which is caused by heavy alcohol consumption. If this condition is...
Vitamin B12 is an essential water soluble vitamin that must be carefully regulated to prevent deficiency related complications in the nervous, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular systems (e). This review begins with a discussion of B12 absorption and role as a cofactor for L-methylmalonyl-CoA mutase and methionine synthase (e). Laboratory findings are interpreted along with associated disease conditions. Finally, assay methods are discussed including blood smear and complete blood count, B12 competitive-binding immunoenzymatic assay, homocysteine tandem mass spectrometry, methylmalonic acid liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, and the Schilling test.
Vitamin B12 deficiency limits selenium methylation and excretion resulting in higher tissue selenium levels and subsequent toxicity. It occurs in people whose digestive systems do not adequately absorb the vitamin from the foods they eat. Vegetarians who eat eggs and milk products are the most at risk because, on average, they consume less than half the adult vitamin B12 Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) while strict vegans (who don't eat any animal products, including meat, eggs, or milk) are at an even greater risk. Vitamin B12 is important since it works with the vitamin folate to make the body’s genetic material and help keep levels of the amino acid homocysteine in check which helps to decrease heart disease risk. It is also essential in the production of red blood cells which carry oxygen through the blood to the body’s tissues. Life Extension gives offers some of selenium supplements. Babies who are born of parents with low selenium and vitamin B12 rich foods are at risk of anaemia.
...levels. Although some patients cannot tolerate B12, there are B12 injection preparations for this purpose.
Liver disease resulting from alcohol affects more than two million Americans and is one of the primary causes of illness and death. The liver frees the body of harmful substances, such as alcohol. While the liver breaks down alcohol, it produces toxins that can be even more dangerous than the alcohol consumed (“Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol's Impact on Your Health” 13). “These by-products damage liver cells, promote inflammation, and weaken the body’s natural defenses. Eventually, these problems can disrupt the body’s metabolism and impair the function of other organs” (“Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol’s Impact on Your Health” 13).
Alcohol not broken down by the liver goes to the rest of the body, including the brain. Alcohol can affect parts of the brain that control movement, speech, judgment, and memory. These effects lead to the
It’s always important you get to know about the right dosage for Vitamin A in your body system. However, it might be very difficult to actually know exactly when you’re having too much of it or too little of it. You don’t really need to worry too much. All you need is to watch out the reactions from your body system. If you begin to notice traces of night blindness or eye irritation, you ought to know that Vitamin A is lacking. When you begin to fall sick often, you’ll notice that your immune system is weak. This may also be a sign of Vitamin A deficiency.
Acid is produced naturally in your stomach to help you digest food and to kill bacteria. This acid irritates the stomach lining so our body produces a natural mucus barrier which protects it. Sometimes this barrier may be damaged thus allowing the acid to damage the stomach causing inflammation, ulcers and other conditions. Other times, there may be a problem with the muscular band at the top of the stomach that keeps the stomach tightly closed and this allows the acid to escape and irritate the oesophagus. This is called 'acid reflux' and can cause heartburn and/or oesophagitis. Proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole stop cells in the lining of the stomach from producing too much acid. This can help prevent ulcers from forming or assist the healing process. By decreasing the amount of acid, they can also help to reduce acid reflux related symptoms such as heartburn.
Once ingested, food must be digested so it is available for energy and maintenance of body structure and function. Alcohol inhibits the breakdown of nutrients into usable molecules by decreasing secretion of digestive enzymes from the pancreas. Alcohol impairs nutrient absorption by damaging the cells lining the stomach and intestines and disabling transport of some nutrients into the blood. In addition, nutritional deficiencies themselves may lead to further absorption problems. For example, foliate deficiency alters the cells lining the small intestine, which in turn impairs absorption of water and nutrients including glucose, sodium, and additional foliate. Even if nutrients are digested and absorbed, alcohol can prevent them from being fully utilized by altering their transport, storage, and excretion. Decreased liver stores of vitamins such as vitamin A and increased excretion of nutrients such as fat, indicate impaired utilization of nutrients by alcoholics.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in the United States and often responsible for anemia and neurologic symptoms, particularly in the elderly.
A well-balanced diet contains all the necessary vitamins, and most individuals who follow such a diet can correct any previous vitamin deficiencies. However, persons who are on special diets, who are suffering from intestinal disorders that prevent normal absorption of nutrients, or who are pregnant or lactating may need particular vitamin supplements to bolster their metabolism. Beyond such real needs, vitamin supplements are also often popularly believed to offer "cures" for many diseases, from colds to cancer; but in fact the body quickly eliminates most of these preparations without absorbing them. In addition, the fat-soluble vitamins can block the effect of other vitamins and even cause severe poisoning when taken in excess.
“For male athletes specifically, alcohol may lead to a reduction in testosterone production. This reduction in testosterone can, in turn, decrease the ability to gain muscle mass--again negatively affecting the body consumption and ultimately performance” (SCAN Registered Dietitians). There are many others ways to cope with
When one hears the three words: vitamins, nutrients, and minerals, they think of one thing-being healthy and noticing what your intake is daily. Nutrition is all about vitamins and nutrients. Firstly, vitamins are an organic compound required by the body in small amounts of metabolism, to protect health, and for proper growth of children. Vitamins also assist in the formation of hormones, blood cells, nervous systems chemicals, and genetic material. There are 13 well-identified vitamins. Some examples of the 13 well-identified vitamins are: A, D, E, and K-fat contained foods, B, C-consumed immediately. A well known and commonly used in commercials for orange juice vitamin is vitamin C. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is important in the synthesis and maintenance of connective tissues. The lack of vitamin C will result in a sickness called scurvy. Scurvy harms the gums, mucous membranes, and the skin. Another well-known vitamin and is also used to commercial to give more information about this beverage is the vitamin in milk. The vitamin in milk is vitamin D. If you do not drink milk and obtain this vitamin, your bones and teeth will become soft and weak. Lacking one or more of the 13 well-identified vitamins will cause sickness and weakness to your body. Secondly, nutrients are how the body assimilates certain compounds. Nutrients are classified in 5 major groups: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. One of the five nutrients is carbohydrate. The carbohydrate group principally consists of sugar, starch, dextrin, cellulose, and glycogen. In more basic terms, carbohydrates are sugars needed by human and other living organisms. Some types of foods that contain carbohydrates would be candies, ice cream, fruit juice, soda, chocolate bars etc. Lastly, vitamins are connected to minerals. Minerals are also a very important part of a healthy person. There are 11 major groups of minerals. They are: calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, and zinc. All these terms look very familiar if one has taken chemistry. These are the elements of our world. One of the more common minerals that most people have heard of is calcium. Calcium also helps with the structure and strength of teeth and bones. Vitamins and minerals work together to help humans maintain a healthy body. For example, vitamin D works with calcium to help for and maintain the strength of teeth and bones.
Vitamin B-12 is essential for energy production as well as influencing the way your body uses carbohydrates.