For vegans, Vitamin B12 is not so easy to come cross in the daily diet unless taking b12 shots or supplements.  Much research has been done to find out which plants contain it, but they are few and not so easy to come by. Some of the suggested plant sources of B12 are fermented Soya products and some kinds of seaweed and algae. Considering how much of it is needed to keep the human body in proper function, these sources hardly suffice.

You may be wondering what the human body uses B12 for. It’s necessary for production of red blood cells, a healthy nervous system and of course a necessary vitamin for a developing child. What happens if you don’t get it or don’t get enough of it? Most common is anemia – your body will not be producing enough red blood cells and you will be constantly weak and maybe even have fainting spells. You will suffer from fatigue, also a symptom of anemia. At advanced stages of lack, you may have serious depression and mania. Because it’s vital for a healthy nervous system, long term lack may eventually lead to damage to the central nervous system and also the brain.

So where can vegans get this all-necessary part of there diet?

Photo by anolobb

There are some recommended sources:

1. The easiest and fastest one is supplements. Your pharmacist should be able to issue these over the counter without a prescription. Mostly, you will get it in a rounded vitamin pill – one that has several vitamins in it. Make sure to know what amount of B12 each pill contains. The required daily amount is 5 – 10 micrograms. You can also get it as a single supplement and this is recommended if your daily diet does not include any foods that are rich in B12.  You need to be careful though – some vitamins diminish absorption of B12 (e.g. Vitamin C), so be careful to take them at different times. Another interesting fact about B12 is that taken in high amounts, the absorption rate is reduced. Take the recommended daily dosage and feel free to skip some days without it so that your body is forced to maximize on what it already has. Seaweed supplements will also contain B12. One of the quickest and most effective ways is to take the sublingual B12 pill. You place the pill under your tongue and leave it there until it is completely dissolved. This way, it goes straight into the blood stream, bypassing the digestive system where it would have otherwise have been absorbed in micro amounts.
2. The next best and more commonly used these days is a B12 shots. Non-vegans are using it as well, to increase energy levels and reduce stress. To get this one, you need to visit your GP and he will decide if you need one or not after he takes a blood sample.
3. Fortified foods are the other great and fast source. Some fortified foods that you can take are cereals and soy products. Be sure to read the labels and make sure that they do indeed contain B12 and that it’s in the right amounts.
4. Fortified Brewer’s and Nutritional Yeast are also sources, but only if they are fortified with it. The only danger with these is that you must be absolutely sure of what you are getting. Make sure, like the supplements, that it’s fortified and to the right amounts. Also, too much of it can lead to deficiency. Again, if you decide to take this option, skip between days.
5. Fortified drinks are also becoming more and more popular for vegans who need B12. Vitamin water, for example, contains B12. If you decide to use drinks however, do your research. Use the internet to see exactly which drinks are fortified and in which amounts.
6. When it comes to foods, free range eggs contain B12. Milk as well as cheese too. Processing and the manufacturing process can destroy it however, so get them as natural as possible. The best way to take in the eggs is to boil them – a boiled egg contains 0.7 micrograms. Don’t over-boil the milk. If you have access to cheese directly from a farm, that’s a great way of making sure that you’re taking in the least processed versions. Sunflower margarines and any other plant source margarines may contain B12 too – just check the label.

For vegans, because they don’t take meat and meat products, it’s absolutely vital that they pay attention to this vitamin. One thing to keep in mind in that B12 gets damaged when exposed to light. Keep your B12 sources stored away in a dark cupboard.

Sources

1. Simply Vegan: Quick Vegetarian Meals by Debra Wasserman. Nutrition section by Reed Mangels Ph.D., R.D. (ISBN 0-931411-30-0)
2. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 20.
3. http://www.vegetarianvitaminsguide.com/vegan-nutrition/vegan-sources-of-vitamin-b12
4. The Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom – Information Sheet;
   Parkdale, Dunham Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, England WA14 4QG
5. Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board: Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B-6, Folate, Vitamin B-12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. Washington, DC: National Academy press, 1998.

Apple Cider Vinegar raises questions in terms of its medicinal abilities. The scientific community has not given the stamp of approval but people have found all sorts of apple cider vinegar uses for health. Perhaps science is looking for something more complex. Penicillin was found on moldy bread. How much simpler can anything get than that? Vinegar is strong and filled with enzymes to help the ills of the body. The substance carries an acidic element good for maintaining health.The benefits are many.

People cook with Vinegar and use it to marinate meats. The liquid is taken for blood pressure control, sore throat and acid reflux. How can a simple liquid be so powerful? The old saying, “An Apple a day keeps the Dr. away”  Why did that saying come about, and how true is it? Vinegar is the byproduct of Apples. What is so potent in the apple that the liquid abstracted from them can have health giving properties? Apples are filled with health giving properties, when turned into vinegar these properties are increased, making a strong health aid.

Photo by AndyRob

Vinegar is also believed to help digestion problems, acne, colon problems, arthritis and so many other ailments. Vinegar is even used as an antiseptic. Apple cider vinegar has also been used for bee stings and to help headaches. Vinegar can also used as a rinsing agent for the hair as it aids in ridding the scalp of fungus. Apple cider Vinegar benefits include helping hair growth. Pectin, which is an anti-fungal, helps as an antiseptic.

Apple Vinegar has acidic properties; this alone gives it antiseptic qualities. Taken internally in a raw state where the healthy properties have not been destroyed it can only be good for you. Apple cider vinegar helps the colon as well. It allows the body to rid itself of toxins, giving the skin and the digestive system a chance to get better, therefore giving the body more energy and an overall feeling of rejuvenation.

Oregano has been a timeless tradition in kitchen for many years, and has been used all over the world for flavoring. Most everyone know this, and has used Oregano at some point in their life, but what most people don’t know is that Oregano Essential Oil can be just as useful for health and beauty. It is important to note that Oregano Oil is a bit different in composition that the Oregano in your spice cabinet. This oil is derived from Origanum vulgare, and is very potent and contains many beneficial qualities that are not available in the spice Oregano.

To learn more about Oregano and its properties you can find tons of information online, and sites that specialize in Essential Oils and Soapmaking have many articles and information on the oil of oregano. But learning everything there is to know about this oil can be quite time consuming, so I have put together some quick notes and tips here for your reference.

The benefits of Oregano oil are endless, but some of the most common uses include providing relief for respiratory or bronchial irritations, like asthma, and bronchitis. It has also been commonly used to help treat symptoms from colds, flu’s, and sinus infections. In addition, it can also be used to help relieve inflammation as well as muscle aches and pains. Oil of Oregano also contains anti-bacteria, anti-viral, anti-septic, and anti-oxidant properties. All of these are great at helping expel unwanted waste from the body. Anti-oxidants have been proven to remove free-radicals, which can cause cancer, from the body.

Additionally, Oregano Oil has its benefits for the beauty world as well. It is a great product to use when creating or making your own natural beauty products. For example, it can be added to soaps and shampoo’s to help cleanse and protect your skin and body. If you do decide to use this for your soap and cosmetic making needs, you will need to understand how to properly use this potent oil, and at what ratio it is best used in. To do this, when purchasing the oil, ask your manufacture for the usage guidelines and if they have it an MSDS is also very helpful.

I want to close in saying that due to Oregano’s powerful properties, it is advised that you not use this oil when pregnant, and avoid direct skin contact with it as well, because it can cause skin, eye, and mucuous membrane irritations. Always use with care, and always consult a professional before attempting to use essential oils in your natural beauty regimen, since many, including oregano, can adverse effects when used incorrectly.

Ever since the early 1900’s the human life span has been increasing year after year with no signs of slowing. In the early part of the century science began to understand how viruses worked and eventually medicines were developed that dramatically decreased the mortality rate for people who came down with diseases like the flu which were merely viral in nature.

Now as we are in the first half of the 21st century our clinicians are quickly discovering new supplements, nutrients, and medicine which similarly stretch the human lifespan even further. Juvenon is one such company as their mission is to create the supplements which science has shown to be conducive to increasing longevity.

Photo by GreenmonsterSome people tout companies like Juvenon as the holy grail of anti-aging whereas others find them only to be capitalizing on human emotions. Considering the company mainly produces supplements which are readily available in food and sometimes even produced in the body itself. Often these supplements are even sold above market value for the individual ingredients, which does imply an unnecessary cost but also implies value added, in this case the value is he combination of nutrients in one pill.

Juvenon released a product of the same name which is designed to slow the deterioration of the mitochondria in the cells. This should in theory help slow the process of aging and provide more energy to people as they get older. Truthfully the nutrients that are noted as the active ingredients by studies are readily available in supplement form in virtually any health food store but what the company does is bring these nutrients together into a single pill which takes the pressure off the consumer to put the working pieces of the puzzle together for themselves.

Is Juvenon worth it to the consumer as an anti-aging supplement? The answer may be best answered by your level of self-motivation. The nutrients are fine and show promise in clinical trials to aid in increasing longevity it’s just up to you to decide if paying a premium for a single pill is worth it over buying the individual supplements separately.

For centuries, herbals have cured a myriad of ailments. Before the age of pharmaceuticals, people depended on herbal cures to heal them when they were sick or fighting common illness. Herbals were also used externally on cuts, bruises and scrapes. The healing powers of herbs are endless.

The following herbal remedies can be used to cure dozens of common problems.

1. Goldenseal has antibiotic properties that will fight infection. Prepare a tea as an effective antibiotic. Add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of powdered goldenseal root into each cup of hot water. To benefit from the healing properties of this tea, consume up to 2 cups each day.

2. Chamomile for centuries has been used as a calming herb. It can speed the healing process, calm distress of the stomach and fight infection. Make a tea by adding 2-3 teaspoons per cup of hot water. Steep for 10-20 minutes and drink up to 3 cups per day.

3. Garlic is rich in powerful natural antibiotic and anti-viral properties, it can reduce cholesterol and prevent the forming of blood clots. It is important to make garlic a main staple in your kitchen. Use it daily in cooking and food preparation. To make a potent tea, steep 6 cloves of garlic for each cup of cool water for 6 hours. Strain and drink.

4. Slippery Elm Bark – helps with sore throats, cough and upset stomach. This herb is found in commercial throat lozenges and cough drops. It is available for bulk purchase in health food stores and herbal shops and can be made into a tea. Add 1-3 teaspoons per cup of boiling water. Simmer for 10 minutes and drink 3 cups per day.

5. Ginger may help reduce the risk of a heart attack by preventing blood clots. It is commonly used by pregnant woman for morning sickness and is also effective for motion sickness. Prepare a tea by adding 2 teaspoons of grated ginger for each cup of hot water. Steep the ginger for 10 minutes and drink up to 3 times per day.

Centuries old and proven effective. Herbal cures are inexpensive and safe. Try these common remedies for what ails you.

As people age, they make less and less vitamin B12 with each passing year. Living under a great deal of stress, as most people now do, and taking certain medications, often create a deficiency in this vitamin because the body is unable to ingest it correctly from the food that is eaten. This is why sublingual b 12 vitamins can be so important.

Vegans, individuals who do not eat any animal products whatsoever, are also at risk of B12 deficiency because B12 is mainly found in meat and animal products that they do not eat. Careful diet planning is essential for vegans and vegetarians and supplements are often recommended to help make sure that the body is healthy.

Signs and symptoms of a vitamin deficiency can take as much as five years to appear. A pro-active course of action is the wisest decision; sublingual methylcobalamin B12, a form of b12 that is especially helpful for the nervous system, and often with folic acid, is a quick, easy and relatively inexpensive way to stave off any hint of deficiency.

In the past, the only way for the body to absorb vitamin B12 effectively was thought to be injections, which were none to pleasant and quite expensive. Fortunately, research has revealed that the body can and does absorb the vitamin when it is taken sublingually, or under the tongue.

These same studies showed that larger doses of B12 were needed to get the same degree of absorption as that taken by injection; however, the amount is still tiny and easily attained without a great worry of overdosing since large quantities of B12 have not shown it to become toxic to a human.

Vitamin B12 is extremely important. A body cannot function without it. It regulates the sleep-wake cycle, metabolizes carbohydrates and enables the body to use fat as energy. B12 is also important in the regulation of cholesterol. When B12 and folate work together homocysteine is metabolized and cholesterol levels drop. Homocysteine is an amino acid.

Herbs have long been proven as a way to get rid of many health problems, from severe problems such as diseases like cancer, to minor problems such as watery eyes from allergies. Herbs are most sought after because of their medicinal properties, but also because they are some of the easiest ways to aid in getting rid of whatever you are trying to get rid of. In fact, back in the 14th century, witches were often considered to use witchery because they would use herbs to get rid of health problems. In all actuality, it was not the witches doing anything healing, but rather the herbs. You too, can capture the essence of herbs to get rid of your hemroid problem.

It is very easy; all you have to do is know what herbs to use in what instances. There are quite literally hundreds of routes to take – some of these will be taken internally, while others will be applied topically around or in the anus to reduce hemroid symptoms.

In the same way that aloe vera can take away burning and itchiness from a sunburn, it can take away the burning and itchiness from hemorrhoids as well. Simply take some of the aloe and rub it along the anus to reduce the inflammation of the skin – this works like aspirin, but this is much healthier for you!

Salves such as golden seal, myrrh and white oak can be used to place on the hemorrhoids to reduce inflammation as well. If you need a good way to stop the bleeding of your hemorrhoids, you could consider making a paste out of comfrey root and placing it on the hemorrhoids. If you want to find a way to cleanse the area and dry it out, a good herb to consider is the witch hazel. Just be sure not to place this inside the anal canal. This is only for external usage.

Once you do get rid of the hemorrhoids, it is of the utmost importance to start changing what you eat and how you live your life. Just by taking Omega 3s and 6, drinking plenty of fluids, staying away from fatty and acidy foods and increasing your exercise you can significantly decrease your chance of getting your hemorrhoids back! Be sure to also include more fibers in your diet as well such as papayas, beets, nuts, rice and wheat!

Herbs and “natural treatments” are very popular these days, but just because they are natural does not automatically make them safe. Be sure to consult with a doctor to be sure that any herbs, vitamins, or supplements you are taking are safe and that they don’t interfere with any other medications you may be taking.

Instead of having numerous weight loss pills and ways, people tend to buy Hoodia Gordonii plus these days. It is proven that Hoodia Gordonii plus is effective to control appetite. The main component of Hoodia Gordonii plus is Hoodia Gordonii, which was found in Kalahari Desert of Africa.

In this region the sun tribes or the Bushman has been taking this natural herb for a long time. The main reason for using the herb is to control hunger and thirst as well. As a result, the Bushman can go on with their hunting expedition or other activities without having any foods for long hours. In 1995, researchers have found the magic of hoodia Gordonii and gradually it comes into the form of Hoodia Gordonii plus.

Now the question is how Hoodia Gordonii plus work? A specific zone of our brain controls the hunger related works of our body. The function of this particular zone is to send us message if our stomach is empty or full. An active component of Hoodia Gordonii plus named p57 curbs the hunger zone of brain and gives us a message about the full stomach. This is indeed a natural way to control appetite and our weight is reduced significantly.

Hoodia Gordonii plus also contains green tea extracts, which also burns fat and improve metabolism. Thus the combinations of green tea with p57 work together significantly and help us to lose weight.

Before you are going to decide for Hoodia Gordonii plus you need to understand yourself about how much you want to reduce? This is an important factor in this concern. Because the performance of Hoodia Gordonii plus is not same for all. Some people can reduce 4-6 pounds in a week while it takes two months to reduce 10 pounds for some person.  However, Hoodia Gordonii plus starts to show its result from a week after you are starting to use it.

To get the best result from Hoodia Gordonii plus you should know the proper use of this. It is recommended to take three pills a day before breakfast, launch and dinner. As you are taking this before your meals you will not tend to eat more than your requirement due to the function of p57. However, it is advised to drink sufficient water before taking the pill because it suppresses your thirst too.

Due to the great desire to achieve a slim and fit body, they will usually do what ever it takes to get the body figure that they have always wanted. Some people would engage in excessive and strenuous physical work out to burn fat rapidly and some would also starve themselves. Both of these practices have been proven to be unhealthy ways of shedding extra pounds in the body. This is why most individuals today are opting to take some weight loss supplements instead of going through physical work out and starvation.

There are more than a thousand dietary supplements that can be found and bought in the market today. All of these are claiming to be very effective and safe. As a consumer who wants to get the best out the money spent on diet supplements, it should come to your senses that most of these products are overrated. Of course, all companies will claim that their products are among the best weight loss supplements.

Upon choosing a product for weight loss, it must contain a fat burner. It is useless to take in a dietary supplement for losing weight that is not formulated with fat burning elements. Products that are formulated with acai berries are a good option because it contains some of the most powerful antioxidants that can rinse off the unwanted fats or toxins. Fats and toxins stored in the body contribute a lot in the total body mass. When the body contains a lot of these, the body will be having a heavy weight. This is why acai berries should also be thought about when searching for weight loss supplements.

More people are doing green tea diet as well. This is because green tea contains a fat burner that does not only burns fat but can also burn calories that are not used by the body. Since it was first used in the early civilizations in China, green tea extracts have been included in the modern day weight loss supplements.

Aside from a fat burner, green tea also has its own antioxidants that will not only drain excessive fats from the body, but it can also make a person look young and beautiful. The good thing about this tea is that it can improve the body’s energy levels to produce heat that will effectively burn fats and calories and drain them out from the body.

As you search for the most effective weight loss supplements, it should also be wise to choose something that contains fatty acids. These elements are very effective in increasing the body’s metabolism so that it can burn fats faster.

Vitamin D deficiency is one of the deficiencies with most occurrence in the World; vitamin D is not acquired through food, but instead through Sun exposure. Thanks to the rays of the Sun, we are able to process the vitamin and absorb it into our system. Since millions of people suffer from this deficiency very mildly, often the symptoms go unnoticed – and the deficiency untreated, however as time passes the deficiency can have serious effects in your health.

To know the vitamin deficiency symptoms better we must know how this vitamin helps us. D vitamin is essential in the strengthening of our bones and muscles, so a deficiency will have a direct impact in that area. In mild cases the symptoms will include aches and muscular fatigue, but as it gets more severe we’ll start noticing the appearance of new symptoms, which include:

Bone pain – This gets more noticeable in the back, hips and legs.

Muscular pain and tiredness – You’ll feel weaker without apparent reason; even form doing ordinary activities like climbing up stairs.

In children a severe deficiency will lead to the development of bowed limbs, a condition commonly called “rickets”. Infants besides having a high risk of developing this condition can experience respiratory problems and cramps.

Learning about the symptom vitamin D deficiency is useless if you don’t have good prevention against this problem. Getting sun exposure every day is good, despite what many sun-protection companies have led you to believe. We must go outside and get Sun exposure for 10 minutes to process this vitamin – without solar protection creams, this way we’ll reap the benefits of the Sun. Of course, the healthy way to do it is in the morning when the Sun isn’t too strong.

If you notice these symptoms, be sure to visit a doctor for proper testing and discard other underlying problems and conditions.