Friday, July 18, 2008

Anti-malaria gene in Africans raises HIV risk (AFP)

A scientist tests blood samples for HIV. Scientists have isolated two genes which may prevent people from contracting HIV or at least slow the rate at which they develop AIDS, a new study published in the journal AIDS has found.(AFP/File/Noah Seelam)AFP - A gene found only in people of African ancestry which evolved to prevent malaria infection now increases the odds of contracting AIDS by up to 40 percent, a new study has found.

There are many people who are consuming vitamin B12 supplements do not know that vitamin B12 and folate are B complex vitamins that are necessary for normal red blood cell. bulk curcumin turmeric powder B12 is rarely found in vegetables, which is why vegetarians and especially vegans who don't eat dairy products or meat, are especially at risk. This vitamin b12 along with folic acid are necessary to keep homocysteine in the blood down to healthy levels. Therefore any deficiency will lead to some health complications.

What are the deficiency symptoms?

Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms are manifest not because people are taking less vitamin B12 than recommended. Deficiency of vitamin B12 affects every cell in the body, but is most severely felt in the tissues where the cells normally divide rapidly, as in the blood-forming -tissues of the bone marrow and in the gastro-intestinal tract. The deficiency can also lead to neurological changes such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. It also include mood disorders, anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, night terror etc. It can also include fatigue, weakness, nausea, constipation, flatulence (gas), loss of appetite and weight. Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms, like those of many other treatable health conditions, can be virtually identical to age dementia symptoms, senile dementia symptoms and Alzheimers symptoms.

Symptoms of B12 deficiency include insufficient equilibrium, forgetfulness, and cognitive decline and, according to a study conducted by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), may be linked to osteoporosis. Symptoms of severe vitamin B12 deficiency (regardless of the cause) may include burning of the tongue, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, intermittent constipation and diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, menstrual symptoms, psychological symptoms, and nervous system problems, such as numbness and tingling in the feet and hands. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, including sensory neuropathy, myelopathy, and encephalopathy, can occur within days or weeks of exposure to nitrous oxide anesthesia in people with sub-clinical vitamin B12 deficiency.

Anemia is the first sign that the body is not getting an adequate supply of Vitamin B12. Pernicious anemia is the name given more than a century ago to describe the then-fatal vitamin B12 deficiency anemia that results from severe gastric atrophy, a condition that prevents gastric cells from secreting intrinsic factor.

How to treat vitamin B12 deficiency?

Folic acid can correct the anemia that is caused by a B-12 deficit. Folic acid, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), and vitamin B12 supplementation can reduce total homocysteine levels, however, this reduction does not seem to help with secondary prevention of death or cardiovascular events such as stroke or myocardial infarction in people with prior stroke. Folic acid intake from food and supplements should not exceed 1,000 μg daily in healthy individuals because large amounts of folic acid can trigger the damaging effects of vitamin B12 deficiency. Pernicious anemia usually develops over the age of 50. It is usually caused by an inability to absorb vitamin B12 (cobalamin) that is naturally found in certain foods.

Can Diet Help The Deficiency?

Dietary changes that may be helpful, vitamin B12 is found in significant amounts only in animal protein foods - meat and poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Foods high in vitamin b12 can only be obtained from animal sources, so vegetarians and vegans should ensure B12 is included in their daily vitamin supplements.

Conclusion

Deficiency of vitamin B12 is rarely a result of the vitamin's. Deficiency of vitamin B12 can affect both men and women in equal numbers. Deficiency of vitamin B12 can result in fatigue and apathy, back pain, weight loss, bone loss, problems with balance andreflexes, abnormal gait, tingling fingers, tinnitus, eye disorders, hallucinations and migraine headaches.

Therefore, Eddy Kong has started a useful vitamin supplement information guide that help you to choose the vitamin you are looking for or simply providing the right information to vitamin supplements.

Eddy Kong is the webmaster of the Vitamin Supplement Resource Blog. Drop by at Knowing Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms for more useful vitamin supplements resources.

California fines two health plans $13 million - Los Angeles Times


California fines two health plans $13 million
Los Angeles Times - 3 hours ago
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield also agree to restore coverage to patients whose coverage was canceled after they became ill. By Lisa Girion, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield -- two of the state's biggest health plans ...
2 health insurers to pay $13M to Calif. regulators The Associated Press
California fines Blue Shield and Anthem Blue Cross San Francisco Chronicle
FOXBusiness - WBOC TV 16 - Sacramento Bee - Reuters
all 336 news articles


Having a healthy digestion system is more than being free of discomforts, heartburn, gas, and constipation. When foods are not digested thoroughly, nutrients cannot get to the cell. Nutrients are captured as food passes through the digestive system. The body needs a constant flow of nutrients, to grow, generate energy, and to repair tissue.

A lack of digestive enzymes in the stomach and intestines causes heartburn, indigestion, bloating, gas, and constipation. It would be beneficial to take a digestive enzyme to help to eliminate these symptoms.

Without giving much thought to digestion, one thinks: food is placed into the mouth, chew, swallow, and digestion, not so. Nutrients are vital to every cell in the body, with the right mixture of nutrients, the nerves signal the digestion to take place. Making the right food and supplement choices, exercising, and taking herbal extracts, support the digestive system. Enzymes and nutrition makes a healthy digestion system and transforms food into energy for the body to use.

The body will function properly when it is given what is needed; it has 1,300 different enzymes that cause the body to function disease free. Most people are void of the proper nutrients and enzymes, thereby causing diseases. The body has healing powers, when given the right fuel it will respond quickly. An organic whole food supplement has many nutrients working synergistically making the nutrients more available and effective.

Not only does the body need supplements, but also more importantly, it needs a non-chemically manufactured supplement because the body does not recognize chemically manufactured supplements. These vitamins and minerals are extracted separately, are recognized as isolated nutrients, and cannot possible compare to organic supplements.

Vitamins may come from a natural source, but often times, because of processing, it is not natural. Perhaps this is why many scientists and doctors say taking a large quantity of vitamin supplements only pass through the body producing expensive urine.

The key is to think organic, what the body recognizes and will absorb. Whole organic food supplement contain nutrients, living enzymes and life force energy.

Carolyn Bell Smith, committed to helping Others improve their health and lifestyle. http://www.yourhealthrenewed.com Request LifeStyle Tips newsletter: Mailto:ezine_newsletter@getresponse.com