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Vitamin B12 deficiency causes unexplained bruising, but so do cyanocobalamin vitamin B12 shots. Pernicious anemia symptoms (easy bruising, low blood platelets) are treatable with vitamin B12 Cyanocobalamin injections, but (methylcobalamin) B12 shots side effects are painful and inconvenient.

Vitamin B12 benefits

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that your body needs to make sufficient red blood cells (hemoglobin) and to keep your nervous system running smoothly.  Without sufficient vitamin B12, you might develop B12 deficiency, which causes side effects such as chronic fatigue, “brain fog,” loss of balance, memory loss, depression, altered taste perception, and tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.  (For more information about vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms, see B12 Deficiency: Don’t Ignore the Symptoms.)

Vitamin B12 deficiency and pernicious anemia

Vitamin B12 deficiency often occurs in people who lack intrinsic factor, and are thus unable to digest vitamin B12 in natural food sources, such as beef, chicken, fish, eggs, and milk products.  Left untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency could result in pernicious anemia (a form of megaloblastic anemia), in addition to increased risk for cardiovascular disease and severe damage to your nervous system.  Some anemia symptoms include:

• Low production of red blood cells

• Low blood platelets- See Thrombocytopenia (Photo, Flickr)
• Unexplained bruising
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Tingling sensation or numbness in hands and feet
• Bright red tongue

The problem with B12 shots

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If your doctor diagnoses vitamin B12 deficiency, then he will prescribe vitamin B12 supplements, often as a vitamin B12 injection administered on a weekly basis.  The B12 shot is inserted through the thick tissue near the thigh, and is usually very painful.  Many B12 deficiency patients report profuse bleeding, sore muscles, and bruising as a result of their weekly B1 shot.  Some pernicious anemia patients opt to insert their vitamin B12 injection at home for better convenience.  (See How to Give Vitamin B12 Injection.) Still, reports of unexplained bruising and soreness from B12 shots continue:

“Vitamin B12 injections can sometimes cause bruising and soreness where the needle was inserted.  Other side-effects include feeling sick, headaches, and dizziness, but these are rare.” (Vitamin B12-deficiency Anaemia- BUPA)

Alternatives to vitamin B12 injections

For patients who dread painful intramuscular B12 shots, there are some alternatives.  Sublingual vitamin B12 pills that dissolve under your tongue are available, but health experts dispute their effectiveness.  An increasingly popular option is to supplement with a weekly vitamin B12 patch, which contains the same dosage of B12 in one week as a single weekly vitamin B12 injection.

The advantages of using a B12 patch are numerous:

• No need for a doctor’s prescription
• Convenience
• Ease of use
• Inexpensive
• No skin irritation
• No bruising
• No bleeding

Related reading:

Signs and Symptoms of 6 Types of Anemia Blood Disease

Vitamin Deficiencies can drive you Crazy- Seriously! Part 2

Vitamin Deficiencies can drive you Crazy- Seriously! Part 1

Preparing your Children for Shots- 6 Tips to Ease the Pain

Sources:

Thrombocytopenia: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Pernicious Anemia Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention on MedicineNet.com

How to Give Vitamin B12 Injection- LIVESTRONG

Vitamin B12-deficiency anaemia – information from Bupa on vitamin B12-deficiency anaemia- Bupa UK

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Elderly folk with vitamin B12 deficiency are likely to suffer dementia caused by brain shrinkage, unless they supplement with B12 shots, pills, or a B12 patch.

A is for Atrophy

Brain atrophy is what happens when brain tissue disintegrates.  In the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of age-related dementia, a reduction in the brain’s gray matter correlates to symptoms such as memory loss, disorientation, paranoia, and uncharacteristically aggressive behavior.  In addition to losing brain volume, some elderly individuals also lose bone mass.

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B is for B12 Brain Vitamins

In a recent study, elderly test participants who had vitamin B12 deficiency scored poorly on cognitive skills and memory testing compared to their peers.  In addition, MRI scans indicated that study participants with low B12 levels also had less brain mass than those who had normal levels of vitamin B12.

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C is for Cognitive Decline

This is not the first time that researchers found a correlation between B12 deficiency and cognitive impairment.  In 2008, Oxford University scientists discovered a link between elevated levels of homocysteine (an indicator of low vitamin B12 levels) and brain shrinkage.  Homocysteine is an amino acid that increases your chances of developing heart disease.

D is for Digestion

When you get older, your body stops producing adequate amounts of stomach acids.  Unfortunately, your body still needs stomach acids in order to digest essential vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin B12.  People who lack sufficient stomach acids- the elderly, people on strong heartburn medications- lack the ability to digest vitamin B12 naturally, and must receive vitamin B12 supplements in order to prevent vitamin deficiency.

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E is for Elderly Care

In order to detect the earliest stages of dementia, doctors recommend that elderly individuals receive regular blood testing for homocysteine levels, particularly if they exhibit any symptoms of cognitive decline, such as short-term memory loss.  If tested positively, then vitamin B12 supplementation should commence, either in the form of liquid vitamin B12 injections, sublingual B12 pills, or a weekly transdermal vitamin B12 patch.

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Related reading:

12 Ways to Avoid Alzheimer’s Disease

Ten Bites to Better Brain Power

Can Aerobics Cure Alzheimer’s Disease?

Feed your Brain Something You’ll never Forget

Sources:

Low Vitamin B12 Level in Elderly May Spur Dementia

Brain Takes Multiple Hits from Low B12 Levels

B12 shortage linked to cognitive problems

Low Vitamin B12 May Speed Brain Shrinkage

Brain and Body Shrink Before Alzheimer’s Sets In

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Whether your child needs vitamin B12 shots or a flu vaccine, shots can be scary and painful.  Try these tips for taking some of the “ouch” out of getting shots.

Vaccines, B12 shots, and IV’s- oh, my!

Visits to the pediatrician can be tense, for both mom and child.  The threat of yearly immunizations looms over their heads, child wondering if this would be the “year of the needle,” and mom worrying about how to get through the doctor’s appointment with as little tears as possible.

Besides getting the annual vaccine shots, other needle-centric events or conditions in your child’s life might be:

• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Autism
• Diabetes
• Flu shots
• Intravenous therapy (IV)
• Blood testing
• Autoimmune disorders

How to make shots less painful

Let’s face it- your child will never enjoy getting shots.  Most adults still sweat at the thought of receiving a sharp needle in the arm.  Still, you have some basic tools at your disposal will make the whole stressful episode run much more smoothly, and hopefully, alleviate some of the pre-doctor anxiety the next time around.

Here are some tips for soothing your child during shots, IV’s, and blood tests:

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Tip #1: Look!  Up in the Sky…

For taking some of the pressure off the moment at hand, the first trick up your sleeve should be distraction, distraction, distraction.  Use whatever tools you think will work; consider this your moment to shine and practice resourcefulness.  Sing, dance, mime with a sock puppet, or whip out some favorite storybooks.  When it comes to helping your child through a round of injections, there can be no diversion too sneaky…or cheesy.

Tip #2: Pacify

Before leaving the house, make sure you pack your bag with some of your baby’s favorite toys, a pacifier (assuming he takes one), and a lovey, like a soft blanket or doll.  Another trick that’s worth trying at least once a year: soothe them with sweets, either by dipping her binky in a bit of sugar, or allowing her to take from the lollipop jar.

Tip #3:  Put on your best poker face

What, me worry?  That’s the attitude you want to convey to your child before and after the procedure.  Kids are very good at picking up even the smallest hint of tension on your part, so act cool, paste on a smile, and prepare for whatever comes next.

Tip #4: Ahem, ahem.

Believe it or not, there’s some research indicating that coughing before and during vaccinations is an effective way to reduce the pain.  In 2010, the journal Pediatrics published a report that focused on children between the ages of four to twelve, finding that faking a cough before getting a shot, and then, again, during the round of shots, resulted in less trauma.  Alternatively, your child could pretend to blow a feather across the examining table, or soda bubbles through a straw.

Tip #5: Ease the pain

After the nurse has administered all the shots, and the tears have (almost) dried, you still have a few options for relieving the pain.  Gently rub the pinprick spot to reduce swelling, and apply a topical anesthetic, such as EMLA cream.  A small amount of pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, will also go a long way towards pain management.

Tip #6: Seek alternatives

With medical technology practically bursting at the seams, it’s good to know that there are some new alternatives to painful injections.  Find out if your child is eligible to receive FluMist, an innovative flu vaccine in the form of a nasal spray.  For childhood diabetes, an experimental needle-free insulin injector might be a good option.  The vitamin B12 shot is a particularly painful shot, inserted in the fleshy thigh area behind the buttocks.  Instead, many parents find it easier, and less traumatic, to use a vitamin B12 patch for children suffering from autism, autoimmune disease, or vitamin B12 deficiency.

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Related reading:

Avoiding Vitamin B12 Deficiency while Breast Feeding

Worried about Low B12 Lab Results?

B12: Celebs Say it’s the New C

Sources:

Ouch! How to Make Shots Less Painful for Kids

10 ways to make shots less painful for children

8 Ways to Make Shots Easier for Kids

Celebrities like Madonna, Kate Perry and musical boy genius Justin Bieber get vitamin B12 injections regularly. Watch the YouTube video of Justin Bieber talking about getting his shot in the you-know-where!

Q: What are B12 shots, and what  are their benefits, anyways?

A: Vitamin B12 shots are usually given to people with vitamin B12 deficiency , but stars are also finding that the benefits of vitamin B12 shots include:

• Weight loss
• Energy
• Clear skin
• Thick hair
• Stress reduction

Not bad, for one water-soluble vitamin. B12 shots are painful, though, and you have to take them in the buttocks. (Ouch!)

I’ll take a B12 patch over a sharp needle in the behind any day. (Note to the uninformed: The B12 patch goes behind the ear, not the rear.)

Here are the top 10 most famous celebrities who rave about their vitamin B12 shots:

#1 & #2- Justin Bieber told Chelsea Handler in an interview on her E! network show that he was feeling a little wiped out, but wasn’t looking forward to getting a B-12 shot, “in his butt.” (Will somebody send poor Bieber a B12 Patch, please?) The late night comedienne and former Playboy model is also a fan of B12 shots. She once even posted a pic on Twitter of herself getting a B12 shot in her bare behind. What’s the Difference between B12 Patches and B12 Pills, Anyways?

Madonna carries B12 on the go

#3 & #4- Madonna got Justin Timberlake hooked on vitamin B12 injections. Timberlake, when he was asked to speak about Madonna’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, told the audience all about his first B12 experience: Madonna was visiting him in a recording studio, when she whipped a syringe out of her purse, told Justin to drop trou, and proceeded to give him a shot of B12 right on the spot! He’s been taking B12 for increased energy ever since. B12: Celebs Say it’s the New C

#5- Katy Perry receives routine vitamin B12 injections for health. The sultry singer, married to British comedian Russel Brand, told reporters that she takes vitamin B and steroids. 100 Best Sites for Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Information

Katy P Needs her B

#6- Cher Lloyd has raised a lot of eyebrows on the UK show, The X Factor, for bullying the other reality show competitors and acting like a stressed out teenzilla. It’s no wonder that mentor Cheryl Cole advised her to go to a clinic for a vitamin B12 shot, which she explained would help her fight chronic fatigue, nervousness and low immunity. Along with giving Cher more energy, the vitamin B12 supplements have also helped her deal with her stage fright. Got PMS? Let B Vitamins Ease your Pain

#7- Pirates of the Caribbean star, Penelope Cruz, says, “I can’t live without my vitamin B.” She takes vitamin B supplements to help her stick to her diet, resist the urge for sweets and for well-being.  It’s National Nutrition Month: Are You Eating Your 5 Colors a Day?

Johnny and Penelope at Pirates opening

#8-  Lindsay Lohan- Like Cher Lloyd, Lindsay has also had her share of teen antics, including many all-night parties and club-hopping. To get her back into shape the morning after, Lindsay often demands a dose of B12 for energy, focus and mental balance. 7 Reasons You Have Brain Fog…And What to do About It

#9- Ex-Spice Girl Victoria Beckham has been vocal about her use of vitamin supplements, including B12, to stay healthy and alert during her pregnancies. Pregnant Moms and Low B-12 Levels: Let ‘em Eat Steak!

#10 Prince didn’t miss the bus on vitamin B12, either. The 58-year-old crooner, once voted “Sexiest Vegetarian” gets his vitamin B12 shots before every concert to give him the stamina he needs to strut his stuff on-stage.  6 Must-Eat Foods for Die-Hard Vegans

Read more about vitamin B12 deficiency and how to prevent it:

“I’ve heard of the X Factor and Fear Factor…But what’s Intrinsic Factor?”

B12 Deficiency can really Get on your Nerves

Vitamin B12 for Healthy Hair, Skin and Nails

Sources:

http://bit.ly/f0APJ9

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http://bit.ly/eEkUeZ

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http://bit.ly/mTvX57

Forget everything your grandmother ever told you about the chicken pox. Specifically, the part where she insisted that once you’ve had it you can never get it again. That’s only partially true. The fact is, the chicken pox virus stays in your body forever, patiently waiting, waiting..

…waiting until you reach middle age or until your immune system becomes vulnerable and weak, whichever comes first.  And then it reemerges, well rested and ready to wreak havoc on your nervous system, with a brand new name and a new mission in life:

It’s called Shingles, also known as the herpes zoster virus, and it’s mission? To cause immeasurable pain and discomfort such as you’ve never encountered since…

…well, since you last had the chicken pox, of course.

“So, what are the symptoms of shingles?”

The symptoms of shingles are very much like the ones you had when you got chicken pox as a small child:

• Headache
• Flu symptoms, such as chills and stomach upset, only without fever
• Itching, tingling, numbness or pain, followed by a telltale rash on only one side of the body
• Red angry blisters
• Stinging shingles pain, often described as sharp, pointy needles
• Skin rash, usually on the chest or back, but able show up anywhere- on your face, on one eye, or your belly, arms and legs
• Scabbing

“How long does it take for shingles to disappear?”

A few days or weeks before the rash appears, you might notice tingling, headaches and diarrhea.  The blistering and rash can last for 5 days, followed by scabbing. All in all, the shingles rash takes about 2 to 4 weeks to run its course, unless there are complications, such as viral disease neuropathy, or in this case, postherpetic neuralgia.

Postherpetic neuralgia is what happens when the shingles virus refuses to go away; chronic pain can last for days, months, or years, leaving you with burning, prickly sensations, aches and ultra-sensitivity to touch. The pain of postherpetic neuralgia can be so intense that it interferes with sleeping, eating and your general quality of life, sometimes leading to deep depression.

“Is shingles contagious?”

Unfortunately, yes. Herpes zoster is just as contagious as its predecessor, the chicken pox. Once the herpes zoster virus takes effect, you are at risk for spreading the virus to anybody who has never had the chicken pox; adults, children and babies alike. Only instead of getting shingles, they will get the chicken pox virus; they will also be at risk for getting shingles later in life.

“Are there any good treatments for shingles?”

Vitamin B12 prescribed by many doctors as an effective remedy for the chronic pain associated with herpes zoster. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM) cites several studies which have proven that a regimen of vitamin B12 injections can significantly relieve the pain of postherpetic neuralgia, but that oral doses of vitamin B12 have no effect whatsoever, as your body is not able to digest enough vitamin B12 from a sublingual B12 pill to in any way minimize the discomfort of shingles symptoms.

“But I already feel like I have a thousand sharp pins prickling my skin. Do I really have to face the needle?”

No, you don’t; fortunately, there is an alternative. Transdermal (skin) patches are just as efficient at delivering certain types of medications as an equivalent injection. A vitamin B12 patch, applied once per week, distributes the recommended dose (1000 mcg.) of vitamin B12 directly into your bloodstream; the only difference is, B12 shots are immensely painful and require a prescription, while the vitamin B12 patch is invisible, practical, effective, and you won’t even notice it’s there.

For more info on vitamin B12 as a treatment for shingles herpes, read:

Vitamin B12 – Shingles

Cantankerous Canker Sores: How to Get Rid of Them

Vitamin B12 for Healthy Hair, Skin and Nails

Sources:

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-symptoms

http://www.medicinenet.com/shingles/article.htm#symptoms

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/varicella-zoster-000080.htm

http://www.livestrong.com/article/263383-how-to-treat-shingles-holistically/

http://www.puritan.com/vf/healthnotes/hn_live/Concern/Shingles.htm

Hair loss got you down, as in down the drain? Women’s hair loss, male pattern baldness- it all amounts to the same impairment. But don’t throw in the bath towel just yet; here are a few treatments for hair loss that include changes you can make to your diet right now to put the breaks on that receding hairline and give you shinier, healthier hair.

• Wholesome foods are just that- they benefit the body as a whole; what’s good for your digestive system is also good for your hair, skin and nails. Eating a variety of lean proteins, dairy, healthy oils, legumes and fruits and vegetables every day will ensure that your body gets the vitamins and minerals it needs to function properly inside and out.
• Remember, fat is not a four-letter word.  “Good” fats are anti-inflammatories which keep your hair shiny and lush. Avoid saturated hydrogenated oils like margarine and opt instead for unsaturated canola. Elect to make one day of the week as “fish dinner” night, as well as supplementing with a daily dose of omega 3 fatty acids for lustrous locks.
• Beware of iron deficiency.  Particularly, women approaching middle age are at risk of developing anemia, a symptom of which is hair loss.  When taking an iron supplement or having an iron-rich meal such as fortified cereal or spinach quiche, remember to include a dose of vitamin c for maximum impact.
• Many women who experience premature balding suffer vitamin b12 deficiency, a condition which often leads to pernicious anemia.  Other symptoms include chronic fatigue, short-term memory loss, tingling in the extremities and nausea. Vitamin b12 deficiency is usually caused by a diet low in eggs, meat and poultry; standard vegan diets do not maintain a sufficient amount of vitamin b12 and are often a factor in vitamin b12 deficiency.  A blood test by a physician is necessary to determine a deficiency in vitamin b12, in which a dose of 1000 mcg. of b12 is generally prescribed.
• Another b vitamin, biotin, is also essential for a healthy head of hair; not only is biotin the key ingredient for development of hair follicles, it actually regulates all hair, nail and skin functioning.  While biotin is found in some food products like egg yolks a 3 mg. supplement is required to get an adequate supply.
• Choose silicone-enhanced shampoos and conditioners which coat the follicles with a silky surface for less tugging and strand pulling while combing.

Source:

Web MD

Much has been said by sports enthusiasts and commentators over the controversy surrounding former Baltimore Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro and his rejection by the 2011 National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Did he use steroids back in 2005? Drugs tests conclude that he did; whether unbeknownst to him or not is the hot topic of the day.

What about his claim that he unwittingly received B12 injections which were laced with the illegal performance enhancer stanozolol, as he has repeatedly affirmed?  Well, he’s sticking to his story, even if the Baseball Writers Association of America (BWAA) doesn’t quite buy it.

Is it possible that his astonishing success these past years is due exclusively to his use of steroids?   With 3,020 hits, 569 home runs and 1,835 RBIs, Palmeiro’s record puts him in the same league as baseball legends Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray.

Before we jump to any more conclusions, let’s not entirely rule out the b12 supplements, which we know he was getting on a regular basis.

• B vitamins convert proteins and carbohydrates into energy for greater stamina during a workout.
• B12 works with pyrodixine and folic acid to burn fat.
• According to the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (IJSNEM), professional athletes who fail to maintain a sufficient balance of B12 in their diet score lower than their teammates for cardiovascular endurance and strength training.
• Athletes require more than the USRDA recommendation for B12 allowance.
• Sports competitors who are on a restricted diet are strongly advised to take B12 supplements in order to avoid b12 deficiency, an illness which can lead to fatigue, depression, nausea and lethargy.
• B12 boost red and white blood cell production, in addition to strengthening DNA.

So, let’s assign credit where credit’s due.  Will b12 vitamins give you superhuman strength, the ability to leap home runs in a single bound? Probably not.  Are ballplayers like Rafael Palmeiro wise to take advantage of b12 for greater athletic performance?  Emphatically, you bet.

It’s been called the “morning after” shot.  It’s used by celebrities to recuperate after an evening of partying and paparazzi.  Politicians rely on this vitamin to keep them in their prime.  What is this wonder drug, you ask?  No, it’s not vitamin C.

Justin Timberlake and Madonna both say they get their stamina from regular doses of vitamin B12 every day, declaring that they couldn’t get through their chaotic schedule without it.  Says an insider close to Justin, “the day Madge gave him his first shot was one of the best of his life.”

Party girl Lindsay Lohan calls up her doctor for a blast of B12 whenever she feels fatigued and wiped out from jet lag.

Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher confesses that she depended on regular vitamin B12 injections in order to keep up with the daily demands of government.

Hugh Jackman gets his hit of B12 twice a week; he says it keeps him on his toes while rehearsing his dance numbers for “The Boy from Oz.”  Even Prince makes a point of getting his B12 before every concert.

Many Hollywood doctors claim they get dozens of requests each week for a quick B12 fix.  Excessive drinking causes you to lose a lot of B12, they explain.  Celebrities go to a lot of all-nighters, and that usually translates into a lot of liquor.  In fact, alcoholism is a known cause of severe B12 deficiency.

Before you run to your nearest HMO for your shot of B12, be warned: B12 shots are generally injected into the densest, most muscular tissue available.  That’s right, your nether regions.  Before you decide to turn your backside into a human pincushion, consider another option:

The B12 patch.  Pros: you don’t have to remember to take it every day; it’s 200% more effective at raising B12 levels than oral supplements; it rests discreetly under your clothing, giving you the energy you need to take on the day; you don’t have to strip down to your tighty whities.

Check out this video of Justin Bieber telling Chelsea Lately about his regular shots in the “butt.”  Oh, if only he knew…

Today’s health food stores stock a wide variety of goods to meet the needs of every diet known to mankind- low fat, low sugar, processed-free, nondairy, low carb, high protein…but what gives with gluten-free?

Gluten is a protein found in grain products such as wheat, spelt and barley, among others.  Patients of celiac disease, a disorder which distresses the small intestines, have trouble digesting such products and are thus advised to follow a gluten-free diet.  Health food aisles abound with gluten-free cake mixes, breads and pastas.  Hundreds of recipe web sites offer creative suggestions for gluten-free living.

Rewind to thirty years ago, and most people would probably have not heard of celiac disease.  So, how did celiac disease suddenly become a household name?  Modernization provides a key – despite the advice from numerous health experts, we Americans still love our Wonder bread; those light, airy loaves cannot be produced without rich, glutinous dough, and agriculturalists have been striving to deliver the most highly glutinous crops of wheat available in order to meet our demands.

Another culprit might be commercial yeast, which has replaced sourdough yeast as the preferred rising agent among bread makers. According to a report published by Applied and Environmental Microbiology, sourdough yeast contains bacteria which break down the gluten in the dough, thereby reducing the likeliness of bowel irritation.  Commercial yeasts offer no such protection.

Celiac disease can lead to other complications such as osteoporosis, anemia resulting from B12 deficiency, fatigue and weight gain, to name just a few. Incidences of celiac disease are rising, either due to increased wheat consumption or the public’s rising awareness of the disorder.

A doctor’s visit is required in order to ascertain whether one is suffering from celiac or from gluten intolerance, the latter of which is less harmful.  Although gluten intolerance does not create any lasting damage, some experts believe that the continuance of a high-gluten diet might lead to an eventual celiac disease diagnosis.

The Japanese study proves that women who eat foods enriched vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and folate are less likely to suffer heart attack or die of a stroke.  Japanese men who eat B-rich foods are less likely to suffer heart failure.

These findings confirm similar studies which have been conducted in the US and Europe, all of which came to the same conclusion; B vitamins such as B12, B6 and folate are essential for cardiovascular health.

Through the Japan Collaborative Cohort (JACC) Study, a survey which collected data on the dietary habits of over 85,000 Japanese between the ages of 40 and 79, scientists were able to gain information on a correlation between the amount of B vitamin intake and likeliness of mortality from heart disease and stroke.   Out of the 85,000 men and women studied, 986 died from stroke, 424 perished from heart attack and over 2,000 died from a variety of heart-related illnesses – all in a 14-year time frame.

Scientists grouped test subjects into five categories, varying in relation to B6, B12 and folate intake.  Of the female test subjects who ate the lowest amounts of B6, B12 and folate, more were likely to die of stroke or heart attack than those who ate a moderate amount of B vitamins.  Similarly, men who consumed the least B vitamins were more likely to die from cardiovascular illness than others.  Of the test subjects who reported eating a steady diet of B6, B12 and folate, fewer suffered mortalities related to stroke or heart disease than counterparts from any of the other groups.

Scientists believe that B vitamins lower homocysteine levels, an amino acid which many doctors believe increase one’s risk of suffering from heart disease and stroke.  Vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid prevent the accumulation of homocysteine.  Eating whole grains, leafy vegetables, legumes and fish are excellent ways to get B vitamins.  However, many suffer from an inability to completely digest B12, resulting in B12 deficiency.  Symptoms include fatigue, memory loss and numbness or tingling in the extremities.