Are you tired and run down? Do you poop out at parties?
Written: Apr 21 '02 (Updated Apr 23 '02)
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Pros: An all around important vitamin that is safe.
Cons: Can be toxic in very high doses.
The Bottom Line: Highly recommended for those who suffer from fatigue or depression. This vitamin is a must for smokers, vegetarians, and macrobiotics.
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| JustCathy's Full Review: Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamin) |
Please allow me to throw in my two cents before I tell you about some of the wonderful properties of B12.
I have been on an individual quest for knowledge, understanding, and research of holistic healing for many years. The information provided here is based on my own understanding and experience with this particular vitamin. Since many "modern" doctors do not tell people about the use of vitamins (usually because they understand very little about the uses of vitamins) many people try over-the-counter or allopathic (prescription) medications for health problems first.
It is unfortunate that our "modern" or "Westernized" society has not yet embraced the philosophies of Eastern, Chinese, Aryvedic, Homoepathic, and other holistic forms of treatment. Intervention should always begin with the least restrictive and least aggressive forms, giving the body an opportunity to heal on its own.
As a person who practices "alternative" forms of medicine, I frequently find myself standing alone with little opportunity to share some of what I have learned from years of study. Even Epinions offers little in the "Health" section for those who seek other healing methods.
It is indeed unfortunate that our societal "think mode" is to encourage the use of "unnatural" and "toxic" chemicals to treat even the slightest "sniffle." With the utmost of respect, (as I realize you do not know better), I must say that those persons who are considered "Advisors" in "Health" for Epinions - I have very little use for some of the advice offered. Polluting my body is not what I would consider my first line of defense.
VITAMIN B12
For decades Vitamin B12 has been prescribed by alternative health care practitioners due to its remarkable rejuvenation and powerful energizing properties. This is the vitamin known to help when all else seems to fail. It has been heralded as the vitamin that helps improve memory and increases the ability to reason and concentrate, dispels mental disturbances, prevents mental deterioration, and in general make the receipent feel more refreshed and younger.
B12 is essential for healthy metabolism of nerve tissues. Nerve tissue damage can result in nervous disorders and brain damage, as well as anemia. There is also research to support the use of B12 as an anti-cancer agent as it plays a role in protecting the human body from toxins and allergens. B12 is also noted as having the capabilities of alleviating many neuro-related psychiatric disorders.
Vegetarians, particularly those on a macrobiotic diet should take B12 supplements as research suggests that meatless diets can result in B12 deficiencies.
My personal experience with B12 has been for the treatment of fatigue and depression. I received a series of B12 injections from my doctor after reporting symptoms of severe fatigue, inability to concentrate on the smallest of tasks, and feelings of depression.
I recall my doctor telling me after the first injection that I would wake up the next morning feeling like a new person, ready to "jump out of bed" and "face the world." I remember thinking to myself, "Yeah, right..." Only to find that the next morning I had more energy than I had ever thought possible. I woke up with a song in my heart and hope for a "new and better" day. A series of bi-monthly shots for six months was all that was needed to clear up my personal fight with the "blue fatigue."
B12 could be toxic is taken in excessive amounts. However, there is little likelihood of having a reaction to oral use of B12, because very little is absorbed in the body. This is a water soluble vitamin, so if taken in amounts that are more than necessary, it generally passes through the urine. The best rate of absorption is through injection. There is the rare case of developing skin problems from B12 injection, but this is infrequent and generally short-term and temporary.
Unless you have a medical problem that can be benefited by taking higher doses of B12, in which case you should see your health care practitioner, the recommended daily intake of B12 is 5 to 50 micrograms per day. This dose is considered adequate for even those on a macrobiotic or vegetarian diet.
The bottom line here is that if you believe you have need to take more B12 than the recommended daily allowance, it is best to consult a health care practitioner experienced in such matters.
The best source of B12 is through a healthy and balanced diet. B12 is available in a number of dietary sources. Foods high in B12 are: fish, dairy products, organ meats (especially kidney and liver), eggs, beef, and pork. Since the source of B12 is commonly found in meats, it is clear to see that vegetarians should really consider a supplemental B12 vitamin or a good multi-vitamin supplement with adequate doses of B12.
B12 supplements over-the-counter are readily available in oral, sublingual, tinctures, and intranasal forms. All have merits and will benefit the body, but the sublingual forms delivers the most B12 to the bloodstream and is frequently recommended when B12 deficiency is suspected.
If you want to know more about B12 and the wonderful curative properties of this incredible vitamin - here are a few resources:
http://www.grassroutes.com/cooks/nutrition/vita-b12.htm
http://www.bu.edu/cohis/nutrtion/health/supplmnt/vitamins/b12.htm
http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/b12.htm
http://americahealth.com/B12.html
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/g2603/0007/2603000727/p1/article.jhtml
Eat Healthy, Live Long, and Prosper!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
JustCathy
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 - Top 1000 |
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Location: Lake Woebegon, Minnesota
Reviews written: 201
Trusted by: 262 members
About Me:
Love to travel, read, write, and surround myself with positive energy!
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