la noix de macadamia La noix de macadamia se distingue des autres noix par sa grande valeur nutritionnelle. Cette noix contient en priorité des graisses mono-insaturées (jusqu'à 84%, plus que les autres noix). Ces graisses que l'on retrouve seulement...
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Natural Health Advisory
What makes B12 shots highly effective for CFS?
Recently, a group of researchers affiliated with the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at Sweden’s Gothenburg University published their results from a study attempting to answer to this question. The researchers drew from their 15 years of experience studying CFS patients and treating them with vitamin B12. During this time, they had already determined that CFS patients respond best to the injective form of B12 therapy.
For this study, they examined clinical data from 38 female patients with CFS who had been on B12 injections at least once a week for six months and up to several years, all of whom expressed favorable response, from mild to dramatic. Here’s what they found:
- All but one (93%) of the good responders were treated with methylcobalamin, the biologically active form of vitamin B12, while a significantly high proportion (43%) of mild responders were using hydroxocobalamin, a non-biologically active form.
- The methylcobalamin used by almost all of the good responders was more concentrated (5 mg/mL) than the hydroxocobalamin (1 mg/mL) used by many of the mild responders.
- Good responders had, on average, been treated with injections more frequently (every 3.8 ± 1.9 days) than mild responders (every 5.8 ± 1.7 days).
- The good responders also took a higher daily dose of oral folic acid (6.7 ± 6.6 mg per day) compared to the mild responders (1.9 ±2 .0 mg per day).
- The good responders were more often taking thyroid hormones.
- None of the good responders were using prescription opioids or strong analgesics, while a majority of mild responders were using them on a daily basis.
Conclusions about B12 shots benefits for CFS
Based on these findings, the conclusion was that frequent injections of the high-concentrated, methylcobalamin form of vitamin B12, combined with an individual daily dose of oral folic acid, may provide high enough blood levels of these compounds for safe and effective relief of fatigue and other symptoms in some individuals suffering from CFS.*
The exact optimal dose and frequency of methylcobalamin and folic acid is different for every individual and takes time and experimentation to determine, according to the researchers. In general, CFS patients’ symptoms worsened if they tried to switch to oral vitamin B12 supplements or when they tried to lengthen the time between injections. Moreover, certain opioid analgesics and other drugs commonly taken by CFS patients with fibromyalgia/muscle pain may interfere with and counteract the effects of the B12/folic acid.* Furthermore, CFS patients should be tested for co-existing thyroid dysfunction. When needed, thyroid treatment may contribute to the overall treatment effect when used in combination with B12 and folic acid.
What to do if you want to give B12 shots a real try
Are you suffering from CFS and have you tried or considered trying vitamin B12 injections? Remember that there are many factors that can play into whether you experience significant B12 shots benefits or not.
- Try the methylcobalamin form of B12.
- Work with your physician to experiment to find the optimal dose of both B12 and folate for you as an individual.
- Try to stop taking analgesics.
- Talk to your doctor about getting thoroughly tested for a thyroid disorder.
To help you and your physician find the best plan for you, take the full text of the published paper, free here, to your healthcare provider for a discussion. Don’t give up and keep advocating for yourself!
Share your Experience
Have you tried B12 injections? Tell us what worked best for you. If you haven’t tried it yet, feel free to ask questions in the comments section below.
*For readers interested in learning more about how vitamin B12 and folic acid likely work to treat CFS and why analgesics and other certain drugs might interfere with the effectiveness of these B vitamins, the full text of the paper, free here, provides an interesting perspective and discussion.
PLoS One. 2015; 10(4): e0124648.
The post Vitamin B12 Shots Benefits for Chronic Fatigue appeared first on Natural Health Advisory.
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Natural Health Advisory
So a better strategy is to recognize your risk of Alzheimer’s and if you find yourself at a higher than average risk, implement some natural health strategies now to prevent the disease altogether! And yes, both the clinical studies and practicing integrative physicians have revealed some specific actions that substantially reduce your risk of getting the disease later on. The key is to start early enough – before you ever get a diagnosis.
Alzheimer’s Risk Factors – Know your Risk
How many of the following risk factors apply to you? The good news is that many of these factors are modifiable.
- Age – The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is thought to double every 5 years beyond the age of 65 years.
- Sex – Women have a higher prevalence of AD than men.
- Genetics & family history – Research in the 1990s validated family history as a prominent risk factor for AD. The presence of an affected first-degree relative (i.e., biological parent or sibling) is associated with a lifetime AD risk of 30% to 40%, compared with 10% to 15% in the general population.
- African–American or Hispanic ethnicity is associated with increased risk for AD.
- Physical inactivity – The research on this is very strong; one study found performing moderate exercise during midlife led to a 39 percent decreased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, while moderate exercise late in life was associated with a 32 percent lower risk.
- Diabetes and obesity – Insulin-resistant people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop plaques in their brains that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. A strong correlation has been shown between body mass index (BMI) and high levels of beta-amyloid, the protein that tends to accumulate in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
- Depression – Depressed people are twice as likely to develop certain forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
- Hypertension and other vascular diseases involving inflammation. Animal and observational clinical studies have suggested a link between inflammatory processes and cognitive decline.
How to Protect Yourself
Do you have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease? If so, there are many things you can do now to start lowering your risk. These strategies include:
- Eating coconut oil
- Avoiding gluten
- Taking a magnesium supplement
- Taking B vitamins
- Supplementing with turmeric
- Getting probiotics
- Drinking coffee
This is just a small sample of the many things that are completely under our control. Please follow the links above for a detailed examination of each strategy. For a thorough, comprehensive anti-Alzheimer’s disease plan, visit the NHA Library to read The Brain on Fire: How to Fight Memory Loss and Brain Fog While Preventing Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s disease is a terrifying condition that is reaching epidemic proportions, but you can help protect yourself by starting to reduce your risk right now. Start by implementing a few of the anti-Alzheimer’s strategies mentioned here and keep reading NHA’s many resources. Keeping your memory and independence as you age is well worth it!
This blog was originally published in 2011 and has been updated.
The post How to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease: Act Long Before Dementia Early Signs Even Appear appeared first on Natural Health Advisory.
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Natural Health Advisory
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I recently had what I thought was a case of severe chapped lips that extended to the corners of my mouth, where small, painful cracks developed. I was surprised to learn that the condition, called angular cheilitis, is actually the result of a vitamin B deficiency. I’d recently stopped taking my multivitamin (because it was upsetting my stomach) and believe that’s what brought it on.
Vitamin deficiency symptoms are as varied as they are common. They’ve been linked to depression and anxiety, fatigue, cognitive decline, and much more. A 2011 study found that 30% of Americans don’t get enough vitamin A and 70% don’t get enough vitamin D.[1] Many more people are deficient in one or more of the B vitamins as well.
Fortunately, vitamin deficiency symptoms are often very easy to fix. Here’s a look at what you might experience if you are deficient in vitamin A, B or C, and what to do about it. For a quick reference, download the vitamin deficiency symptoms chart here.
Vitamin A Deficiency Symptoms
Vitamin A really does improve your vision—it’s a key element in night vision. But that’s not all: it also plays a role in healthy skin, lungs, intestines, and the respiratory tract, and protects against infections.[2]
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In developed countries, deficiency is rare, but it is common among people who rely on rice as a staple food. It can also result from chronic diarrhea, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic disorders, or liver damage.[2]
Vitamin A deficiency symptoms include:
- Night blindness (early) leading to full blindness [2]
- Dry eyes, skin, and other tissues [2]
- Increased infections [2]
- Thinning and ulceration of the cornea [3]
- Oval, triangular, or irregular foamy patches on the white of the eye[3]
- Dry hair [3]
- Pruritis [3]
- Broken fingernails [3]
To treat vitamin A deficiency, a doctor will prescribe high doses of vitamin A, followed by lower doses until symptoms improve. It’s important to work with a physician if you suspect vitamin A deficiency, as high doses of vitamin A can be toxic.
The recommended daily allowance for vitamin A is 700 mcg for healthy women and 900 mcg for men.[2] The upper tolerability limit (UTL) is 3000 mcg. The UTL, set by the Institutes of Medicine, is the highest amount of a nutrient that can be taken daily before adverse effects may occur.
Food sources of vitamin A include:
- Cantaloupe
- Carrots
- Dark leafy greens
- Mango
- Sweet potatoes
- Tuna
Do you want to improve your health with actions that really work?
Download our FREE report: The 9 Top Health Tips of All Time: How to Implement the Health Choices that Matter Most. You’ll get our healthy eating plan, find out why stress is so dangerous and what to do about it, learn how to get quality sleep, and much more!Vitamin B Deficiency Symptoms
Vitamin B refers to a collection of vitamins with different uses and deficiency symptoms. They include B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6, B12, folic acid, and biotin. While each B vitamin has specific effects, they work synergistically. Vitamin B deficiency symptoms include:
- B1 (thiamine): fatigue and irritability. Beriberi results from severe deficiency and can affect the nerves, muscles, heart, and brain. [4]
- B2 (riboflavin): cracks in the corners of the mouth, scaly patches on the head [5]
- B3 (niacin): mental confusion and dementia, along with scaly skin, muscle weakness, and diarrhea, [6] memory impairment, disorientation, depression, mania, delirium, or paranoia [7]
- B5 (pantothenic acid): seizures, scaly rash, red tongue, cracks in the corners of the mouth, or a pins-and-needles sensation in the hands and feet [8]
- B12: Fatigue [9], anemia, paleness, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, tingling or loss of sensation in the hands and feet, muscle weakness, loss of reflexes, difficulty walking, confusion, and dementia [10]
- Folate/folic acid: fatigue, anemia, paleness, irritability, shortness of breath, and dizziness, red and sore tongue, a reduced sense of taste, weight loss, depression, neural tube defect in infants of folate-deficient mothers [11]
- Panic attacks, anxiety and depression. (Read more about vitamin B and depression here.)
To treat a vitamin B deficiency, it’s often simplest to take a vitamin B complex that contains all of the necessary components. You may want to supplement with additional B vitamins for certain conditions. For example, for fatigue, try at least 6 weeks of a high potency B complex supplement, along with an additional 2000 micrograms of sublingual (under the tongue) B12 every day. Be sure the form of B12 is methylcobalamin, which has the highest absorption. (Read more about treating fatigue with vitamin B here.)
The recommended daily allowances for healthy adults for the various vitamin Bs are as follows:
- B1 Thiamine: 1.2 mg for men, 1.1 mg for women, no UTL
- B2 (riboflavin): 1.3 mg for men, 1.1 mg for women, no UTL
- B3 (niacin): 16 mg men, 14 mg women, UTL 35 mg/day
- B5 (pantothenic acid): 5 mg men and women, no UTL
- B6: 1.3 mg men and women, no UTL
- B12. 2.4 mcg men and women, no UTL
- Folic acid: 400 mcg men and women, 1000 mcg/day
- Biotin: There is no RDA for biotin, but the adequate intakes is 30 mcg
The Recommended Dietary Allowance, established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Science, is the average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of 97 to 98 percent of healthy men or women of a certain age, and is based upon clinical evidence. If there is not enough evidence to establish an RDA, then an adequate intake value is used instead.
For food sources of the different members of the vitamin B family, see the vitamin deficiency symptoms chart.
Vitamin C Deficiency
While I’m pretty sure I’ll never personally have a vitamin C deficiency due to my excessive grapefruit and orange habit, it can happen. Vitamin C is water soluble, so any extra is excreted in urine and needs to be replaced. Vitamin C is credited with boosting immunity, but that’s not all it does. It helps heal wounds; repairs cartilage, bones, and teeth; and is an antioxidant.[12]
Signs of deficiency include:
- Bleeding gums
- Lowered resistance to infection
- Slowed wound healing
- Dry, splitting hair
- Gingivitis
- Nosebleeds
- Weight gain
- Dry skin
- Painful joints
- Weakened tooth enamel
- Scurvy
Healthy men should get about 90 mg of vitamin C per day, while women need about 75 mg. If you smoke, though, add 35 mg per day.
Good food sources of vitamin C include: [12]
- Broccoli
- Oranges
- Grapefruit
- Cantaloupe
- Cauliflower
- Kiwi fruit
- Leafy greens
- Mango
- Papaya
- Peppers, green and red
- Pineapple
- Potatoes (sweet and white)
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon.
More vitamin and mineral deficiency symptoms
This is just a brief look at some of the vitamin deficiencies you may encounter. Don’t miss the following blogs, which look into a range of other deficiencies that can cause a host of problems.
Vitamin D deficiency is common and very damaging. Find out the 10 Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms.
Calcium deficiency affects more than your bones. Learn 21 Calcium Deficiency Symptoms that Will Surprise You.
Magnesium deficiency is personally interesting to me: I found out that it was playing a role in my asthma. Find out what else it does here.
Iron deficiency is another common condition. Get a list of the symptoms (and best treatment) here.
Vitamins and Cancer
There has been media coverage of studies that allege that taking vitamins can cause cancer. The most oft-cited study looked at vitamin E and prostate cancer.[13] Conversely, there have also been claims that certain vitamins can prevent or even treat cancer. But when you look at the research as a whole, there just isn’t enough evidence to defend either of these positions.
The confusion comes from a misunderstanding between nutrients and supplements. People who naturally eat a lot of foods that contain certain vitamins may demonstrate lower rates of certain types of cancer. But taking very high doses of a single supplement doesn’t mean that the same results will be achieved. That’s why it is always best to get your vitamins and minerals from food first. Vitamins are an excellent way to augment—but never to replace—a healthy diet. The studies that have found higher rates of cancer with vitamin consumption are often using very high doses that are not recommended in the general population.
A good rule of thumb is to follow the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) upper limits of tolerability for any vitamins or minerals, or to work closely with an integrative physician who can tailor a plan specifically for you.
Where to Start
For many people, a simple multivitamin is a great first step. Look for one that meets the recommended daily allowance of the vitamins listed in the vitamin deficiency chart. Different brands have different levels of tolerability, so you may have to experiment to find one that you like. I recently tried one that made me very nauseated and my local vitamin shop owner suggested that I look for an alternative without iron. If you still suspect that you have specific deficiencies, then add individual supplements to your multivitamin.
Share Your Experience
[6] J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2004 Aug;75(8):1093-9.
[9] Baik HW, Russell RM (1999
[13] Alan Kristal, M.D., associate head, Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle; Durado Brooks, M.D., director, prostate and colorectal cancers, American Cancer Society; Feb. 21, 2014, Journal of the National Cancer Institute
The post The ABCs of Vitamin Deficiency Symptoms You Can Treat Yourself appeared first on Natural Health Advisory.
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Chère lectrice, cher lecteur,
L’amitié, l’amour sincère, font partie de nos meilleurs traitements contre le cancer.
Une étude parue en 2013 dans le Journal of Clinical Oncology indique que les personnes pouvant compter sur un conjoint ont 20 % de risques en moins de mourir de leur maladie [1].
Quel que soit le type de cancer, leurs chances de survie sont plus élevées que pour les personnes seules.
Et pour certains types de tumeurs (cancer de la prostate, du sein, colorectal, de l’œsophage, du cerveau et du cou), le simple fait d’être marié augmente plus les chances de survie que la chimiothérapie !
Bien sûr, ce n’est pas le fait de porter une alliance au doigt qui change la donne.
Un conjoint rend de nombreux services pratiques : il conduit le malade à l’hôpital, s’assure qu’il a bien toutes ses affaires (son pyjama, ses pantoufles ou son oreiller favori, mais aussi sa nourriture, son livre, sa musique), il s’assure qu’il prend bien ses médicaments, qu’il se nourrit et boit correctement, l’aide à se laver, le rassure et l’aide à se reposer.
Il lui donne les nouvelles de l’extérieur qui l’intéressent, avertit l’entourage, organise et suscite des visites réconfortantes.
Il donne l’alerte à l’équipe médicale en cas de problème non repéré. Il participe aux prises de décision sur les traitements et contribue à ce que le meilleur choix soit fait.
Il tient compagnie au malade, enfin il lui apporte de l’attention et de l’affection !
Les patients ont aussi plus de chances de recevoir un traitement complet lorsqu’ils sont accompagnés d’une personne présente et pro-active, comme le sont souvent les conjoints.
D’autres études ont montré que les personnes mariées ont plus tendance que les personnes seules à suivre un traitement jusqu’au bout, même lorsque le traitement est douloureux physiquement et nécessite de fréquentes visites à l’hôpital, ce qui est le cas en général des traitements contre le cancer.
Avoir une famille proche augmente de 70 % les chances qu’un patient respecte son traitement, selon un commentaire médical de David Kissane, du Centre contre le cancer Memorial Sloan-Kettering à New York.
D’autres recherches enfin avaient indiqué que les patients mariés manifestaient moins de symptômes de dépression, détresse et d’anxiété que les personnes seules. Or, le stress affaiblit le système immunitaire et la dépression peut aussi empêcher un patient de faire une visite nécessaire chez le médecin. Les personnes dépressives qui développent un cancer ont 39 % de risques en plus d’en mourir [2].
Il est aussi possible que la présence d’un conjoint incite les gens à se faire diagnostiquer plus rapidement lorsque les premiers symptômes inquiétants apparaissent.
Importance de l’amitié
Ces données scientifiques ne concernent pas que les personnes mariées. Elles sont lourdes de signification pour toutes les personnes qui ont un ami ou une personne qu’elles aiment touché par le cancer.
En effet, elles montrent qu’être présent, aider son ami à naviguer dans le système médical, à se rendre à ses rendez-vous et suivre ses traitements peut faire une énorme différence sur les chances de s’en sortir.
La vie de votre ami n’est pas uniquement entre les mains de ses médecins.
Elle est aussi réellement entre vos mains. Vous pouvez être là, ou ne pas être là.
La conséquence est que votre ami aura plus ou moins de chances d’avoir la vie sauve.
« Cette étude montre que le soutien du conjoint est d’une importance critique pour améliorer les chances de survie des patients malades du cancer. Mais pour les personnes qui ne sont pas mariées, toute l’équipe soignante – les infirmières, psychologues et travailleurs sociaux – doivent apporter un soutien social supplémentaire » a déclaré Gregory Masters, oncologue (médecin du cancer) et porte-parole de l’association américaine d’oncologie clinique.
Mais il est évident que, plus encore que des travailleurs sociaux, c’est la présence de bons amis, de vrais amis, qui peut faire la plus grande différence.
Cultiver les amitiés
L’amitié sincère, comme l’amour, ne se décide pas.
Néanmoins, certaines attitudes peuvent durablement éloigner les gens autour de vous et compromettre une relation d’amitié qui aurait dû exister.
Ainsi, il est important d’éviter de critiquer, condamner et de se plaindre. Sur le coup, dire du mal des gens semble un moyen facile et rapide d’éveiller l’intérêt. Mais l’expérience montre que le fait de tenir des propos négatifs donne aux autres une mauvaise image de vous et leur apprend à devenir méfiants à votre égard.
De même, se plaindre est un sujet de conversation facile au départ, mais les gens apprendront vite à vous éviter pour ne pas avoir à vous écouter.
Par contre, il est important de donner votre avis sincère et honnête quand on vous le demande.
Intéressez-vous sincèrement aux autres. Encouragez votre interlocuteur à parler de lui-même, et écoutez attentivement ce qu’il vous dit, sans chercher à ramener la conversation sur vous-même, ni raconter les anecdotes qui vous tiennent à cœur, même si vous les trouvez excellentes. Laissez l’autre personne s’exprimer la plupart du temps. Ne reprenez la parole que très peu, pour dire l’essentiel.
Faites en sorte que votre interlocuteur se sente important, mais sans le manipuler, sans hypocrisie. Car si vous êtes sincère dans votre démarche, vous trouverez forcément de bonnes raisons de trouver cette personne importante ; toute personne est, à sa manière, importante.
Montrez de la considération pour les opinions des autres. Ne dites pas « C’est n’importe quoi » ou « c’est faux ! ». Essayez de vous placer dans la perspective de votre interlocuteur, de comprendre les expériences et les réflexions qui l’ont amené à penser de cette façon. N’essayez pas de lui prouver qu’il a tort, de lui faire perdre la face.
Souriez. Souvenez-vous du nom des gens. Le nom d’une personne est, à ses oreilles, le mot le plus doux et le plus important qui soit, dans toutes les langues !
Vous devez à tout prix vous souvenir du nom des personnes que vous rencontrez, et l’utiliser dans la conversation. Ainsi par exemple, lorsque vous parlez avec Nicolas, au lieu de dire : « Qu’en pensez-vous ? », dites « Qu’en pensez-vous, Nicolas ? ». Et encore une fois, écoutez sincèrement et patiemment son point de vue. Essayez honnêtement de comprendre ses idées et ses désirs, plutôt que de lui imposer les vôtres.
Enfin, rendez service dès que vous le pouvez, comme vous pouvez. Votre but ne doit pas être de vous faire des amis aujourd’hui pour qu’ils viennent, demain, vous rendre visite à l’hôpital !
Votre but est de faire en sorte d’avoir vous-même le maximum de personnes qui auront du plaisir à vous voir arriver le jour où elles seront hospitalisées. Comme dit le Sage, « le reste vous sera donné de surcroît ».
À votre santé !
Jean-Marc Dupuis
PS : Si vous n’êtes pas abonné à La Lettre du Professeur Joyeux, je vous invite à faire l’essai ci-dessous en inscrivant votre adresse de messagerie électronique dans la case prévue à cet effet.
La Lettre du Professeur Joyeux est votre ligne directe – et gratuite ! – avec un véritable « médecin de famille » qui est aussi un des scientifiques les plus reconnus de sa génération : le Professeur Henri Joyeux est professeur des universités, praticien hospitalier de cancérologie et de chirurgie digestive à l’université de Montpellier.
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