Researchers measured the serum levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D for 976 adults over the age of 64. They also took measures of grip strength — which is a good predictor of the risk of future disability — and physical performance.

Twenty-nine percent of the women and 14 percent of the men participating were found to be vitamin D deficient, as measured by their blood levels. Compared to the participants with normal vitamin D levels, these people scored 5 to 10 percent lower on measures of grip strength and physical performance. This correlation was found to be independent of other factors, including the participant's activity level, mental function, weight and overall health.

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that the body produces upon exposure to sunlight — as little as 15 to 30 minutes, depending on skin color, latitude and time of year. It is known to be essential for bone health, but recent studies have suggested that it also plays an important role in protecting against cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis and even the common cold.

The current recommended daily allowance for vitamin D, however, is based upon the levels needed to merely maintain healthy bones — a level that many researchers believe may be lower than that needed for other health benefits.

According to researcher Denise K. Houston of the Wake Forest University of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, "Higher amounts of vitamin D may be needed for the preservation of muscle strength and physical function as well as other conditions such as cancer prevention."

Because of this, many scientists are now recommending a daily intake of 2000 IU, rather than the currently recommended 400 IU.

Vitamin D deficiency accelerates aging in the elderly

Vitamin E is part of a family of eight compounds, tocopherols and tocotreinols with their variants, alpha, beta, gamma and delta. These compounds have a basic chromanol ring (chroman ring with an alcoholic hydroxyl group) and a 12-carbon aliphatic side chain containing methyl groups. These structures can be modified spatially, and this property of organic compounds to have different structures but same composition is called isomerism.

Alpha-tocopherol has two isomers, d-alpha and l-alpha, the structures like that of the two hands, hence the letters "d" and "l", meaning dextro (right in Greek) and levo (left in Greek). Natural vitamin E is made of d- forms, and synthetic ones are modified spatially to form l-forms, and they contain both d and l, often referred as dl-forms.

The difference between the natural and synthetic forms is underlined by the fact that the body recognizes only the d form. Also the l form inhibits the d form from entering the cell membranes. Hence, the synthetic form should be avoided.

Bioavailability is the amount of a compound or substance available for the biological functions of the body; the less the number, the more the wastage of the substance. Since the d form is the isomer preferred by the body, its bioavailability is higher than that of l form. Therefore, natural vitamin E supplements, which have the d-form of tocopherols, have greater bioavailability than the synthetic forms, which have all the isomers, i.e. the d and l forms of alpha, beta, gamma and delta. Natural vitamin E is twice as potent as the synthetic form, for instance 67 milligram (mg) of alpha-tocopherol is equivalent to 45 mg of dl alpha-tocopherol.

According to the research done in the National Research Council of Canada, the preference of d form over l form is shown by higher presence of vitamin E in brain, lungs, heart and muscles. Hence, it is advised to take natural vitamin E, even though it costs twice as much as synthetic vitamin E.

Vitamin E provides detailed information on Vitamin E, Benefit Of Vitamin E, Vitamin E Oil, Natural Vitamin E and more. Vitamin E is affiliated with Liquid Multi Vitamins.

Vitamin B12 is considered safe and non-toxic vitamin. There are no perceived side effects of this vitamin and for this reason, no Tolerable Upper Intake Level for Vitamin B12 has been prescribed by The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.

An intake any one of the B-complex vitamins by itself for a sustained period of time can result in an imbalance of other important B vitamins in the human body. Because of drug interactions with other medicines, the potential for side effects although seemingly nonexistent cannot be ruled out.

Antibiotics taken over a long period of time have an adverse effect on body stores of vitamin B12. A simultaneous intake of vitamin B12 with antibiotic tetracycline interferes with the absorption and effectiveness of this medicine. Therefore, it is recommended that both should be taken at different times of the day.

Anti-ulcer medications like Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 receptor antagonists that are used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcer disease slow down the release of gastric acid into the stomach. There might be some interference of this with vitamin B12, since gastric acid is required to release vitamin B12 from food prior to absorption.

While taking in Metformin for diabetes, vitamin B12 levels maybe reduced. Medication for Chemotherapy also has the same effect. Phenobarbital and phenytoin seizure disorders may also interfere with the body's ability to use vitamin B12.

During such situations, the ideal remedy would be to consult a physician and registered dietitian to discuss the best way to maintain vitamin B12 status when taking these medications. Therefore, it is pertinent to say that although there are no revealed side effects, it is necessary to maintain caution particularly vis-à­¶is vitamin B12's interaction with other medicines.

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Vitamin B12 is a safe, reliable and inexpensive vitamin. For health-conscious individuals, a regular intake of a prescribed amount of vitamin B12 is a key element for preserving a balance in the human body. B12 could be obtained from food sources or could be taken in the form of supplements orally or via injections.

In combination with other B-group vitamins, vitamin B12 ensures the smooth functioning of vital life processes of the human body. It is important for maintaining a healthy nervous system and DNA production. Vitamin B12 helps to regulate the formation of red blood cells in the body. Other benefits of vitamin B12 include its role in maintaining and increasing energy levels in the human body.

Vitamin B12 is highly beneficial in various forms. Methylcobalamin, the coenzyme form of vitamin B12 is a body-friendly version, which means that no metabolic steps are required for its ingestion and it can be used it in its normal form. It is available as a sublingual tablet that dissolves under the tongue (because the digestive system might modify this molecule). Through this method, vitamin B12 can directly penetrate the bloodstream and yield numerous benefits. Hydroxocobalamin is another form of vitamin B12 that has been recognized as an effective cure for cyanide poisoning.

Research studies reveal a clear, inverse correlation between homocysteine (an amino acid found in the human body) levels and vitamin B12 levels. Blocking the formation of homocysteine leads to endothelial dysfunction (a narrowing of the arteries) and is a precursor of atherosclerosis; vitamin B12 helps to curb atherosclerosis. A supplement of vitamin B12 also augments the efficiency of folic acid's capacity to lower homocysteine levels. Researchers are of the opinion that in conjunction with folic acid, an adequate dose of vitamin B12 helps to counter heart diseases and thrombosis. The synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), a compound involved in immune function and mood, depends on the association of folate and vitamin B12.

Studies indicate that absorption of Vitamin B12 decreases with an increase in age. Hence, an increased intake of vitamin B12 is extremely useful for adults above fifty. The recommended form of intake is in supplement form, since elderly people absorb this form better than food forms of vitamin B12. A supplementation of vitamin B12 aids in the cognitive function and heals neurological impairment within this group.

In most cases, vitamin B12 should be taken in conjunction with a folic acid supplement and a B-Complex vitamin. The good news is that while an intake of vitamin B12 facilitates functions necessary for everyday existence, an extra dose causes no harm but instead could be stored for future use.

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Vitamin B12 injections are an effective and tested cure for patients suffering from a deficiency of the vitamin. Although there is much dispute vis-à­¶is oral supplementation of cobalamin and nasal sprays, these injections are the classical, prescribed and accepted remedies for speedy recovery.

Patients suffering from pernicious anemia are treated with a regular dosage of vitamin B12 injections. This is due to the fact that they are unable to absorb sufficient vitamin B12 from their dietary food sources and therefore require intramuscular injections to aid absorption. Nowadays, there are substitutes in the form of oral supplementation; however physicians generally resort to this classical treatment.

Research findings show ample evidence to reveal that cobalamin injections of 1-2 mg per day can quickly correct deficiencies. It is not apparent whether smaller amounts, such as the 25 mcg or so found in multivitamins, are sufficient to cure deficiencies. Such a claim is substantiated by the fact that although oral supplementation with vitamin B12 is safe, efficient and inexpensive and most multi-vitamin pills contain 100-200 microgram of the cyanocobalamin form of B12, many multivitamins cannot be chewed, which is important for its absorption.

The body's ability to absorb vitamin B12 is reduced with increasing age. Older people are often detected to have a more potent vitamin B12 deficiency, even in cases where they do not suffer from pernicious anaemia. Moreover, an intake of vitamin B12 from food sources decreases markedly with an increase in age, probably because of a lack of stomach acid. The conventional way of fixing a vitamin B12 deficiency has been through intramuscular injections. Experiments also reveal that vitamin B12 intramuscular injections are useful healers of neurological disorders such as progressive memory loss and lethargy.

To maintain vitamin B12 status, the alternatives to high oral doses of cobalamin (500-1000 micrograms daily) are routine intramuscular injections at a dosage of 1 mg per month. This also helps to lower homocysteine levels in the blood, thereby reducing the probability of heart diseases and strokes.

The utility of vitamin B12 is not restricted to curing deficiencies. Injections can also serve therapeutic purposes. A vitamin B12 injection acts as a stimulant for energizing the body, through cobalamin, which transmits its "anti-stress" elements to the human body. For example a recommended effective cure for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is 6-70mg dose of vitamin B12 intramuscular injection per week for 3 weeks.

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Vitamin B12 creams are the most recent applications of this vitamin's utility. Ongoing studies in this field have claimed the extreme usefulness of vitamin B12 cream as a cure to Atopic Dermatitis, namely Eczema. Nowadays, vitamin B12 is an essential ingredient for body creams, too.

Eczema is a skin disease, manifested by inflammations and rashes, at times accompanied by swelling, redness, blistering, oozing, and crusting. In such a condition, a type of white blood cells, namely T-cells, become activated and produce inflammatory substances called cytokines. This stimulates the formation of nitric oxide, which adds to the redness and swelling. The frequent areas of occurrence are on the face, neck, hands, feet, insides of the elbows and backs of the knees. Repeated scratching and itching lead to the darkening and thickening of the skin in the respective zones. What is required is a nitric oxide inhibitor to curb this inflammation. Recent research has revealed that it is here that vitamin B12 plays a useful role, inhibiting production of inflammatory cytokines and trapping nitric oxide, thus making it less harmful.

As was the case with other remedies, the advantages of using vitamin B12 as an effectual cure for Eczema are aided by the fact that there are no harmful side effects with its application. While such a cream is not tagged with an approval for use in the United States, researchers all around the world are preparing grounds for speedy practical use of vitamin B12 creams.

Body massage creams also utilize vitamin B12 as their main constituents. Cobalmine (another name for vitamin B12) transmits its anti-fatigue and anti-stress elements to the skin. Hence this "anti stress vitamin" plays a role in restoring vitality and infusing the skin with a renewed tone. One needs to massage this cream continuously until it is completely absorbed since a "draining effect" is required to secure optimum benefits. The added bonus is a soothing and relaxing effect.

Vitamin B12 creams are in the test phase, which, if successful and accepted in the medical world, will broaden its domain in commercial spheres.

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Many people have been experimenting with Vitamin B to help them remember their dreams and increase their chances of being aware that they are dreaming. This offers an opportunity to get into the dream and have some unheard of fun! It's called Lucid Dreaming – but does Vitamin B really help? And how much should you take for maximum enjoyment without harm?

First, lets take a look at the benefits of Vitamin B (not related to Lucid Dreaming):

According to Wakipedia Encyclopedia:

The B vitamins as a whole often work together to deliver a number of health benefits to the body. B vitamins have been shown to:

=> Bolster metabolism
=> Maintain healthy skin and muscle tone
=> Enhance immune and nervous system function
=> Promote cell growth and division ? including that of the red blood cells that help prevent anemia.

Together, they also help combat the symptoms and causes of stress, depression, and cardiovascular disease.

This being said, experimenting with Vitamin B can't be all bad. However, B vitamins are water soluble, which means that after they are dispersed throughout the body, whatever is not used is excreted. Therefore, you could be wasting your money if you overdue it.

Most people start with Vitamin B6 (or Sublingual B6, the kind that dissolves in the mouth). At least one preliminary study has found that this vitamin may increase dream vividness or the ability to recall dreams. Experimenters with this Vitamin suggest using about 75 mg a night (or lower) and claim that this dosage should be enough to enhance your dreams. Vitamin B6 has been touted as the "Magic" vitamin, but then again, some people are mixing it with Melatonin (which regulates the sleep-wake cycles) and/or Valerian (which is a sedative) and say that mixing helps them have more intense Lucid Dreams. It looks like those two additional mixtures are made to help a person get to sleep, and have nothing to do with the dreaming aspect. Mixing and matching vitamins in various quantities before you go to sleep at night can be dangerous and is not recommended.

Unfortunately, since most Vitamin B6 multi-vitamins are sold in 2mg doses, you would have to take a lot of pills to reach 75mg, but be careful, an overdose of B6 can cause a temporary deadening of certain nerves such as the proprioceptory nerves; causing a feeling of disembodiment. In case you're wondering, this is NOT a good thing!

What about Vitamin B5?

Back to Wakipedia again: "Pantothenic acid, also called vitamin B5, is a water-soluble vitamin required to sustain life. Pantothenic acid is needed to form coenzyme-A (CoA), and is thus critical in the metabolism and synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Its name is derived from the Greek pantothen meaning "from everywhere" and small quantities of pantothenic acid are found in nearly every food, with high amounts in whole grain cereals, legumes, eggs, meat, and royal jelly. It is commonly found as its alcohol analog, the provitamin panthenol, and as calcium pantothenate."

So, Vitamin B5 is good for you, but does it help you get Lucid Dreams? Unlike Vitamin B6, there is no evidence to support that theory. However, there is evidence that low doses of the herbal extract Galantamine (Reminyl/Razadyne) have been successfully used to improve thinking and memory. Since it is the memory portion of our brains we are trying to control, it looks like Galantamine might be the key to experiencing a dramatic boost in dreaming activity, vividness and clarity. Mixed with Vitamin B5, it will help you have exciting dreams that you will remember, and then when your memory starts to increase at night and you become more aware that you are dreaming, you can begin the Lucid Dreaming experience.

Again, it is not good to experiment with varying doses of these vitamins. The best choice would be to buy something that contained the ingredients you want in a dosage that has been verified and recommended.

Evelyn Grazini is the Author of "Directed Dreaming." Her specialty is Self-Help information including Dreaming, Hypnosis and Stress Relief. Find out more about Lucid Dreaming, and get Free Reports at: http://www.reawakener.com

Vitamin B12 and folacin (folid acid) – two important B-vitamins
During the last years the vital importance of vitamin B12 and folacin for our health has become more obvious.

Perhaps you have heard that folacin is important during pregnancy. Deficiency can cause severe damages to the fetus. In the USA and other countries one has added synthetic folacin to prevent damages to the fetus.

Also B12 is of importance as both vitamins are interacting to have an effect. Both vitamins have great importance even in other cases. The risk of developing dementia are for example bigger if you suffer from a deficiency of one of these vitamins.

Vitamin B12 and folacin are important for every cell of the body. B12 and folacin interact in vital functions of all cells. For example they are necessary for the cells to divide and grow in a normal way. That is why they are of great importance for the growing foetus.

The first symptoms of deficiency can also come from the cells that divide too fast, for example blood cells and the cells of mucous membrane. The symptoms will result in a type of anemia often combined with a read tongue and shear mucous membranes in the mouth.

Both vitamins are also necessary for the nerve system to function well, for the nerve cells and for the signal substances that transmit the nerve impulses. If not treated this kind of deficiency can cause permanent damages of the nerves.

A deficiency may occur as a result of an inability to absorb B12 from food and in strict vegetarians who do not consume any animal foods. As a general rule, most individuals who develop a vitamin B12 deficiency have an underlying stomach or intestinal disorder that limits the absorption of vitamin B12. Sometimes the only symptom of these intestinal disorder is subtly reduced cognitive function resulting from early B12 deficiency. Anemia and dementia follow later.

Characteristic signs, symptoms and health problems associated with B12 deficiency include anemia, fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite and weight loss.

Deficiency can also lead to neurological changes such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. Additional symptoms of B12 deficiency are difficulty in maintaining balance, depression, confusion, dementia, poor memory and soreness of the mouth or tongue.

Many of these symptoms are very general and can result from a variety of medical conditions other than vitamin B12 deficiency. It is important to have a physician evaluate these symptoms so that appropriate medical care can be given.

Keith George always writes about valuable news & reviews.
A related resource is Vitamin B12.
Further information can be found at Health News.

Vitamin B12: What is it?

B12 vitamin, known as cobalamin, belongs to the Vitamin B family and is a necessary component to help in generating energy from proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. B12 vitamin is required for cell metabolism. With its deficiency, a loss in body organ function can occur.

B12 is required by the body to maintain the health of nerve and red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is also needed to produce DNA.

How the Body Produces B12

Vitamin B12 is produced when HCL reacts with protein during digestion. After its release, it combines with IF or intrinsic factor and then absorbs into blood. Naturally, it is found in animal's meat, milk, fish and poultry. Breakfast fortified cereals also contain good amounts of vitamin B12.

Folic Acid

Folic Acid is a member of the B Complex family. Green vegetables contain folic acid abundance, but many diets today do not contain folic acid. Folic acid is required in a coenzyme reaction to synthesize DNA to produce new cells. It also helps to convert

B12 vitamin into a coenzyme.

Folic acid also helps in amino acid and sugar utilization, which promotes healthy skin, helps keep a healthy GI tract, lowers homocysteine levels, and protects chromosomes from genetic damage.

Symptoms of B12 Deficiency

B12 deficiency has several symptoms, which include weakness, fatigue, nausea, gas, constipation, weight loss, and loss of appetite. This deficiency may even cause nervous changes such as tingling in hands and numbness. A person deficient in B12 may not be able to keep body balance, may have memory loss, depression, or soreness in mouth.

Who Needs Vitamin B12?

B12 absorption is reduced in people with a low thyroid function due to loss of this vitamin. People who have some types of stomach disorder have risk of developing this deficiency. Lead, mercury, and other types of poisoning can also reduce the amount of B12 absorption. Aging people usually have a decrease in B12 absorption, which is why it is important for them to supplement it. Alcoholics are also deficient in the B12 Vitamin. It is usually suggested that pregnant and nursing women take extra amounts of B12 and folic acid.
Vegetarians

Vegetarians do not eat proteins from milk, eggs, fish, or meat. These products are full of B12 and without them vegetarians can become deficient in this B12. Vegetarians may not know if they have a deficiency because it takes a long while for the body's B12 to deplete. Infants of vegetarian women may show severe lack of neural development due to a lack of B12. Fortified cereals are their only source for this vitamin so they should consider taking a B12 supplement.

Large Servings of Folic Acid Hides B12 Deficiency

Anemia is caused by the deficiency of B12. Folic acid can help anemia but unfortunately it fails to help a B12 deficiency. B12 deficiencies can cause permanent nerve damage. Large servings of folic acid can hide the deficiency of B12 so usage folic acid must not exceed 1,000 micrograms.

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Fresh fruit and vegetables grown organically have proven to be the best sources of natural vitamins. Vitamins in this form are assimilated synergistically in conjunction with other nutrients. Natural vitamin supplements are made from food sources, and they contain a natural blend of vitamins and nutrients from real sources such as Brewer's yeast, maize, liver, alfalfa, sprouted foods, spirulina, chlorella, and more.

The ancient traditional Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, has one of the most potent nutritional supplements called "chyawanprash," with over fifty ingredients, formulated by sage Chyawan to regain his lost youth. Its main ingredient is Indian gooseberry (embilica officianalis), the richest source of natural vitamin C (twenty times that of an orange). Additionally, it has a protective enzyme over it that prevents oxidation of vitamin C even at very high temperatures. Another wonderful supplement is spirulina, which is rich in vitamin E?a key antioxidant?as well as in the vitamin B series ? B1, B3, B6, and B12. Spirulina, which is available in powder form, is also the richest whole food source of beta carotene.

Over 80% of the cheaply available synthetic vitamins get excreted out of the system. Natural vitamin supplements may sound like a costly proposition, but in the long run will prove otherwise. Natural vitamin supplements are available at health food stores, or they can be ordered online. They can also be purchased from network marketing agents. It is advisable to choose a product manufactured by a GMP-certified company. "Neutraceutical," is a word coined by the nutrition supplement industry for high-quality supplements.

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