In recent health news, a medical journals report claims that overuse of dietary supplements and multivitamins can cause premature death in women.  PubMed and the Archives of Internal Medicine have published the women’s health study, which critics argue is seriously flawed.

Multivitamins that kill?

Last year, newsrooms were abuzz about the increasing usage of vitamin supplements among Americans.  Now, apparently, an Iowa Women’s Health Study claims that in some incidences, overusing vitamins and dietary supplements- multivitamins, vitamin B6, folic acid, magnesium, zinc, and copper– can actually kill you, especially if you happen to be an elderly female.

Health experts are up in arm over this latest study, and for good reason- on closer inspection, the scientific study, published by PubMed and the Archives of Internal Medicine, has some disturbing holes…

Bad science just doesn’t add up

One of the first things that you learn in science lab is, “Correlation doesn’t prove causation.”  Put simply, just because two things happen at the same time, doesn’t mean that one causes the other.  For example, there’s a high correlation between B12 deficiency and fibromyalgia, but that doesn’t mean that vitamin B12 deficiency causes fibromyalgia, just that the two share a statistical relationship. (In fact, it’s more likely that fibromyalgia causes vitamin B12 deficiency, but for scientific purposes, we cannot assume a causal relationship.)

(Fibromyalgia FAQs- 6 Need-to-Know Fibro Facts)

The fact that a high correlation of vitamin-taking test participants had a high mortality rate does not prove that the vitamins killed them.  Many of the women studies took toxic amounts of iron supplements- a known cause of cardiovascular disease.  In addition, no care was taken to insure randomness, so it is quite possible that there was underlying chronic illness that the Iowa scientists failed to uncover.

Are researchers actually suggesting that women stop taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid, which countless studies prove greatly reduces the risk of birth defects?

Vitamin deficiency is for real

Vitamin B12 deficiency:

• chronic fatigue,
• depression,
• increased risk for heart attack,
• pernicious anemia,
• neurological damage and
• early-onset dementia?

Magnesium deficiency:

• muscular aches,
• nausea,
• seizures,
• migraines,
• irregular heartbeat,
• hypocalcemia (diminished calcium),
• hypokalemia (low potassium), and
• insomnia

Zinc deficiency (severe):

• mental retardation,
• growth retardation,
• chronic fatigue,
• iron deficiency anemia,
• muscular degeneration

Related reading:

B Vitamins prevent Cardiovascular Disease- B6, B12 and Folate

Cruising for a Bruising? Choose Vitamin B12 Shots or Anemia

How to keep Vitamin B12 Deficiency from Shrinking your Brain

Sources:

Dietary Supplements and Mortality Rate in Older Women: The Iowa Women’s Health Study- PubMed- NCBI

Don’t rag on vitamins just yet. That study has major limitations

Why You Should Not Stop Taking Your Vitamins

Dietary Supplements and Mortality Rate in Older Women- Archives of Internal Medicine

Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Magnesium

Zinc Deficiency- Doctor- Patient UK

Image:

Piyachok Thawornmat

Don’t let celiac disease or other food allergies like lactose intolerance keep you from enjoying major league baseball.  Yummy gluten-free dietmenus for gluten intolerance are available at most ballparks. Find your favorite gluten-free beer, hot dogs with tapioca-rice hot dog buns, and more.  Before you sit down to enjoy the game, check out this gluten-free food list for baseball fans.

Major League Baseball gluten-free food list:

Gluten-Free Hot Dogs, Chicken, and Veggie Dogs

• Minnesota Twins Big Dog
• Chili Cheese Dog
• Dugout Dog
• Kinnikinnick Tapioca-Rice Hot Dog Buns
• Bun-less Grilled chicken
• Bun-less Hot Dog
• Veggie Dogs
• Veggie Kabobs
• Pork Chop on a stick
• Shrimp Skewers
• Turkey Leg
• Bull’s BBQ food

Gluten-Free Side Dishes

• Loaded Nachos
• Crab Cakes
• Asian Noodle Salad
• Fresh Fruit
• Carrots with Ranch Dressing

Gluten-Free Beer

• Redbridge Beer
• Woodchuck Cider
• Bard’s Tale Gluten-Free Beer

Flickr

Gluten-Free Snack Foods

• Cracker Jacks
• Angie’s Kettle Corn– gluten-free and nut-free
• Carmel & Cheddar Popcorn Mix
• Gluten-Free Nut snacks
• Noah’s Pretzels: Gluten-Free Pretzels
• California Chips

Flickr

Gluten-Free Candy

• Larabars
• NuGo Free Dark Chocolate Bar
• Classic Snacks Gummy Bears
• Skittles

Gluten-Free Desserts

• Fruichi Smoothies
• Talenti Gelato
• Kozy Shack gluten-free puddings and gel snacks
• Lifeway Frozen Kefir–  gluten-free and 99% lactose-free
• Gluten-free chocolate chip cookies and brownies

Word to the Wise

Before you purchase anything from a gluten-free hot dog stand, or other concession cart, make sure that the food they’re offering really is celiac disease-friendly.

• Only buy prepared food from vendors that are exclusively gluten-free, as opposed to simply offering a few menu items for people with gluten-intolerance among other non-elimination diet snacks.
• Ask the food servers if they know what a celiac disease diet is, and the risk involved with gluten cross-contamination.
• Packaged foods (gluten free chocolate chip cookies, potato chips) are okay, as long as you are the first person to open them.

Related reading:

Gluten-Free Candy List for Celiac Disease, October 2011

Gluten-Free Fall Food- 6 Easy Celiac-Friendly Recipes

15 Gluten-Free Glitterati, from Aniston to Zooey

Sources:

Take Me Out to the Gluten Free Ballpark 2011

ARAMARK’s Gluten-Free Menus a Big Hit at Major League Ballparks

Find Gluten-Free Food at MLB Parks

Gluten Free Concessions at the Stadium- Can We Eat That?

Batter Up! Gluten-Free at the Ballpark

Calling for gluten free options at Metro Bank ballpark

Flickr

Vitamin B12 deficiency is linked with so many types of autoimmune disease; it’s almost like the game “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.” Guess what vitamin B12, IBS, cardiovascular disease, and many kinds ofchronic disease have in common…

B12 deficiency- why worry?

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble nutrient, one of many B vitamins, that is crucial for optimum health. If you don’t get enough vitamin B12 from meat, chicken, fish, and eggs, from B12 shots, then you could suffer severe vitamin B12 deficiency, which includes symptoms such as short-term memory loss, tingling in hands and feet, chronic fatigue syndrome, and depression.  People who are at risk of developing vitamin B12 deficiency are vegans, patients of gastric bypass surgery, diabetes sufferers, individuals on heartburn medicine, and anybody with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Vitamin B12 deficiency is also linked with many autoimmune diseases.

Worried about Low B12 Lab Results?

Here are 12 illnesses that are“6 degrees” away from vitamin B12 deficiency:

1) Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a digestive disease that includes illnesses such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.  Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of many IBD symptoms, such as chronic diarrhea, stomach cramping, nausea, heartburn, and constipation.  IBD can cause severe damage to the intestines, including the colon. People with inflammatory bowel disease have difficulty digesting vitamins and minerals from food, which is why they must take regular vitamin supplements. Because their illness occurs in the digestive system, many IBD patients take vitamin B12 shots in order to avoid B12 deficiency, as vitamin B12 pills are ineffective.

Crohn’s- 9 Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) Myths to Ignore

2) Celiac disease

Celiacs disease is an autoimmune disease that attacks the digestive system with the consumption of gluten.  Celiac disease symptoms include indigestion, diarrhea, malnourishment, and nausea.  Gluten intolerance symptoms occur whenever a celiac disease patient consumes a product containing gluten, a protein that occurs in wheat, rye, and barley.  Because of their difficulty digesting vitamins, celiac disease sufferers should supplement regularly with non-oral forms of vitamin B12.

Celiac Disease Tip: Gluten Free Diet plus Extra Vitamin B12

3) Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)

Auto [fibromyalgia symptoms] [symptoms of fibromyalgia]

Fibromyalgia symptoms strike 1 in 50 Americans.  Many people don’t realize that fibromyalgia is an autoimmune disease.  Symptoms of fibromyalgia include chronic pain, fatigue, depression, insomnia, and “fibro fog” (disorientation).  Many people who suffer from fibromyalgia also exhibit signs of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Fibromyalgia FAQs- 6 Need-to-Know Fibro Facts

4) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is another autoimmune disease, similar to fibromyalgia, which is closely linked with vitamin B12 deficiency. Scientists have noted an extremely high correlation between all three conditions- fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and B12 deficiency.  Symptoms of CFS are extreme tiredness upon waking up in the morning, fatigue following minimal physical exertion, achy joints, and fibro fog.

40 Things NOT to say to a Fibromyalgia-Chronic Fatigue Sufferer

5) Diabetes

Diabetics who take the drug metformin are susceptible to vitamin B12 deficiency, say scientists. Scientific studies linking low B12 levels with long-term usage of metformin indicate a 77% chance of developing peripheral neuropathy.

New Study: Diabetes Drug Metformin Causes Vitamin B12 Deficiency

6) Psychiatric disorders

[clinical depression] [anxiety disorder]

Some symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are often misdiagnosed as psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorder, manic depression, or paranoia.

Vitamin Deficiencies can drive you Crazy- Seriously! Part 1

7) Heartburn

Stomach acids are essential for digesting vitamin B12 naturally from food sources.  That is why people who take heartburn medication frequently, such as people with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or pregnant women, must take care to avoid B12 deficiency.

The 20 Do’s and Don’ts of the GERD Diet

8) Gastric bypass

Some weight loss surgery procedures involve removing the terminal ilium, a part of the digestive system that is responsible for absorbing vitamin B12. For that reason, patients of bariatric surgery are strongly advised to supplement with non-oral vitamin B12.

10 Mistakes Gastric Bypass Patients Often Make

9) Pernicious anemia

Sometimes, vitamin B12 deficiency is caused by pernicious anemia, a condition that distorts your red blood cells and inhibits absorption of vitamin B12. Causes of pernicious anemia include autoimmune disease and gastritis.

Signs and Symptoms of 6 Types of Anemia Blood Disease

10) Cardiovascular disease

Vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and folate all work together in lowering your body’s level of homocysteine; an amino acid that scientists believe may contribute to heart disease and stroke.

B Vitamins prevent Cardiovascular Disease- B6, B12 and Folate

11) Thyroid disease

Autoimmune thyroid disease, also called Hashimoto’s disease, is an autoimmune disease that causes hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland.  There is an unusually high correlation between instances of autoimmune thyroid disease and pernicious anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. Because some of the symptoms of thyroid disease mimic pernicious anemia, many doctors overlook the possibility of vitamin B12 deficiency.

12) Dementia

Vitamin B12 helps to sustain cognitive health. In many studies, scientists have noticed that elderly individuals with low levels of B12 are more likely to suffer from early onset dementia than elderly individuals who maintain adequate levels of vitamin B12.

How to keep Vitamin B12 Deficiency from Shrinking your Brain

Sources:

American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.

Prevalence and evaluation of B12 deficiency in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease- PubMed NCBI

Peripheral neuropathy- Mayo Clinic

Sufferers of celiac disease follow a gluten free diet, but many don’t add vitamin B12. People with autoimmune disease or gluten intolerance getB12 deficiency more often than not, according to health experts.  Doctors advise sufferers of digestive diseases or pernicious anemia to supplement with B12.

Celiac disease facts:

“Alternative Names: Also classified as a disease of nutrient malabsorption, celiac disease is also known as celiac sprue, nontropical sprue and gluten-sensitive enteropathy.” –DiagnoseMe.com

• Celiac disease (Gluten Enteropathy) is a digestive disease that causes severe damage to the small intestine’s lining.
• Celiac disease is also an autoimmune disease.  When any food containing gluten enters the body, the body proceeds to attack its own digestive system, harming the inner lining of the small intestine.
• Gluten is a protein that occurs primarily in wheat, rye, and barley.  All baked goods, snacks, or condiments that contain gluten are hazardous to patients with celiac disease.
• Celiac disease patients have difficulty digesting vitamins and minerals from food sources, particularly vitamin B12, which can lead to severe vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Some symptoms of celiac disease include diarrhea, stomach cramping, nausea, flatulence, blood in the stool, pernicious anemia caused by B12 deficiency, and stunted growth.
• There is no confirmed cure for celiac disease.  Physicians recommend lifestyle changes, such as following a gluten-free diet and supplementing with vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 deficiency: What’s the connection?

“Since most B12 in our diets comes from animal products, vegans are at risk for B12 deficiency. Crohn’s and celiac disease, weight loss surgery, and chronic alcoholism can all interfere with a person’s ability to absorb enough of the nutrients they need. Seniors have more problems with nutrient absorption and malnutrition as well.”  –WebMD

• Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble nutrient that occurs naturally in protein sources such as beef, chicken, fish, eggs, and milk products.
• Your body needs vitamin B12 for the nervous system, building red blood cells, mental clarity, maintaining metabolism, and preventing dementia.
• According to one study, celiac disease patients run a high risk of developing vitamin deficiencies.  Out of over 400 celiac disease patients, 12% suffered folate deficiency and 5% were deficient in vitamin B12.  Among men, 33% had iron deficiency, while 19% of women had low iron levels.
• Scientists conclude that damage to the small intestine in celiac disease patients prevents them from properly absorbing nutrients, thus causing severe malnourishment.
• Scientists also speculate that following a gluten-free diet might also contribute to vitamin deficiencies, adding that many gluten-free products lack sufficient B vitamins, calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, fiber or vitamin D.

Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms and treatment

• Only a blood screening for low B12 can confirm if you have vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Some symptoms of B12 deficiency include fatigue, depression, psychosis, memory loss, brain fog, tingling or numbness in the hands and/or feet, altered taste perception, and loss of balance.
• Unless treated, vitamin B12 deficiency could escalate into severe neurological damage, dementia (Alzheimer’s disease), and increased risk for heart attack and stroke.  (See B Vitamins prevent Cardiovascular Disease- B6, B12 and Folate.)
• In some cases, following a gluten-free diet is effective at maintaining vitamin B12 levels.
• For people who exhibit celiac disease symptoms in addition to symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, doctors advise immediate supplementation of B12.
• Vitamin B12 supplementation can include weekly B12 injections, and may follow up with sublingual vitamin B12 tablets.
• For many, B12 shots cause bruising, and are extremely painful, as they require insertion into thick, muscular tissue. A popular option is to supplement with an alternative weekly over-the-counter (OTC) vitamin B12 supplement, which administers the same amount of vitamin B12 as the B12 injections, without the pain, and doesn’t require prescription.

Related reading:

Cruising for a Bruising? Choose Vitamin B12 Shots or Anemia

Gluten-Free Candy List for Celiac Disease, October 2011

Signs and Symptoms of 6 Types of Anemia Blood Disease

Sources:

Celiac Disease: Gluten Free Diet

Low Serum Vitamin B12 is Common in Celiac Disease and is not due to Autoimmune Gastritis- Celiac.com

Vitamin B12 deficiency in untreated celiac disease- PubMed- NCBI

Gluten Sensitivity / Celiac Disease – Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Information

What Do You Know About Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

Image Credits:

graur codrin, Grant Cochrane, piyato, ambro

B vitamins support heart health, say cardiovascular disease experts, simply by regulating homocysteine, an amino acid that is linked with increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

So, by maintaining healthy levels of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), vitamin B6 and folate, you significantly reduce your risk of dying prematurely of stroke or congestive heart failure.

Homocysteine is not your friend

According to the American Heart Association…

• Elevated levels of homocysteine, an amino acid known to contribute to heart disease symptoms, is called “hyperhomocysteinemia.”
• Having too much homocysteine in your blood increases your chances of developing “coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.”
• Homocysteine damages the inner linings of your arteries and causes blood clots.
• B vitamins, such as vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and folate help your body break down homocysteine in your blood, keeping it at a healthy minimum.
• People with high vitamin B12 levels have the lowest concentration of homocysteine levels.
• People with a family history of heart disease should check their homocysteine levels routinely, in addition to including B vitamins in their diet, or at least supplementing with vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folate.

B-Gone, Heart Disease

Get your B Vitamins ASAP

• Vitamin B12 occurs naturally in beef, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy products, and brewer’s yeast.  However, if you lack intrinsic factor, or if you have had bariatric surgery, then your body is not able to digest vitamin B12 naturally from food.  Your only course of action in order to avoid vitamin B12 deficiency is to supplement with Vitamin B12.
• Like B12, vitamin B6 sources also include protein foods, such as liver, fish, and other meats, in addition to fortified cereals.
• Folate is a B vitamin that occurs in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and fortified cereals.

Free Digital Photos

Related reading:

Vitamin B12 and Heart Disease

B12 Deficiency: Don’t Ignore the Symptoms

Benefits and Sources of Vitamin B12, and How to Avoid Deficiency

Folic Acid and B12: Your Nerves Need Both to Thrive

Vegan Dieters at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease, After All

Sources:

Homocysteine, Folic Acid and Cardiovascular Disease

B-Vitamins Help Protect Against Stroke, Heart Disease

Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B12

High Homocysteine Levels Predict Heart Attacks: B12 will Lower Homocysteine

Heart failure- PubMed Health

Diet High in B Vitamins Lowers Heart Risks in Japanese Study

Free Digital Photos

Gluten Free Diet-Safe Halloween Treats– Before buying Halloween treats for kids with Celiac disease symptoms, see our gluten-free candy list for October 2011. Following a gluten-free diet couldn’t be easier, even if your family suffers from autoimmune disease or gluten allergy.

Gluten Intolerance Symptoms

People with Celiac disease or other gluten intolerance symptoms must follow a gluten-free diet.  Gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, is a common ingredient in most baked goods, snacks, and other packaged foods.  Symptoms of Celiac, an autoimmune disease, include stomach cramps, diarrhea, bloating, constipation, and vitamin B12 deficiency.

6 Food Cravings that Signal Vitamin Deficiency

Gluten-Free Halloween Candies for October 2011:

Gluten Free Candy Corn

Look no farther than the Jelly Belly candy display for the tastiest candy corn!  Jelly Belly makes delicious assorted jellybeans and other candy confections that are (mostly) gluten-free, dairy-free, gelatin-free, vegetarian, and OU Kosher.  For a list of Jelly Belly products to avoid this year, see Avoid these NOT Gluten-Free Halloween Candies, below. Get their Halloween Fun Pack for $4.99.

Gluten Free for Chocolate Lovers

The following chocolate bars and chocolate confections are safe for people with gluten intolerance and wheat allergies:

• Baby Ruth bars
• Butterfinger Original only
• Hershey’s Kisses
• M&M’s
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins
• Snickers bars
• York Peppermint Patties
• 3 Musketeers bars

Gummy Candies, Jelly Beans, and Chewy Candies- Nom, Nom!

These stick-to-your-teeth candies are soft, chewy, and sticky-sweet.  Best of all, no gluten!

• Black Forest Gummies, including Gummy Werewolves and Gummy Vampires
• Mike and Ike
• Peeps Ghosts Marshmallow Candy
• Starburst Fruit Chews
• Tootsie Midgees
• Skittles
• Welch’s Fruit Snacks

Lollipops and Hard Candies

Which lollipops are okay for kids with Celiac disease?  These hard Halloween candies are guaranteed to be free of gluten.

• Charms Flat Pops
• Spangler Dum-Dums and Saf-T-Pops
• Lifesavers individual flavors

Avoid these NOT Gluten-Free Halloween Candies:

Chocolate Bars to Pass on

• Nestle 100 Grand Bar
• Nestle Crunch Bar
• Original Milky Way Bar
• Butterfinger: Butterfinger Crisp Bar, Butterfinger Giant Bar, Butterfinger Snackerz, Butterfinger Medallions, Butterfinger Jingles, Butterfinger Hearts, and Butterfinger Pumpkins
• Mars Bar
• Hershey’s Miniatures
• Hershey’s Symphony Bar
• Hershey’s Nuggets
• Hershey’s Mounds
• Hershey’s Almond Joy

Don’t Chew on These

• Wonka Nerds (most flavors)
• Jelly Belly– assorted bridge mixes, chocolate malt balls, and licorice buttons and pastels contain gluten.

Don’t see your favorite candy maker listed here?

Don’t panic!  Check this extensive gluten-free Halloween candy list for October 2011.

Related Reading:

Gluten-Free Fall Food- 6 Easy Celiac-Friendly Recipes

15 Gluten-Free Glitterati, from Aniston to Zooey

10 Best iPhone Apps for Celiac Disease, Part 1

10 Best iPhone Apps for Celiac Disease, Part 2

Sources:

2011 Gluten-Free Halloween Candy List- myGlutenFacts

Gluten-Free Candy, as of October 2011

Gluten Intolerance Symptoms – Celiac Disease Symptoms – Wheat Allergy Symptoms

Images:

ginnerobot, Muffet, *Micky, Like_the_Grand_Canyon, Theresa Thompson, oelogon, regenmond

Vitamins that benefit people with schizophrenia or bipolar: For some who suffer depression, anxiety disorder, or symptoms of schizophrenia, vitamin deficiencies, such as vitamin B12 deficiency or low vitamin D may be an influencing factor. In several studies, scientists have noted profound results when patients of behavioral health disorders such as bipolar, clinical depression, or schizophrenia were supplemented with vitamin B12 and vitamin D.

Bipolar disorder (manic depression)

People diagnosed with bipolar disorder alternate between feelings of extreme depression (sadness) and episodes of mania (manic excitement).  Scientists are unsure as to the exact cause of bipolar depression, but health experts recommend the following actions for optimum cognitive health benefits:

• Visit your doctor and request a vitamin B12 deficiency screening. In a case report reference in PubMed, vitamin B12 deficiency in one patient was spotted as an influencing factor for mood disorders.  Patients showing symptoms such as mania, severe depression, delusion, dementia and mood swings benefited greatly following one week’s supplementation of vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).
• Increase your intake of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, for optimum brain functioning.  Include at least two fish meals every week, use oils with Omega-3 for cooking, and supplement with flax seed oil or fish oil capsules.
• Always monitor your blood sugar levels.  Consuming large amounts of sugar at one time causes a spike in blood sugar that has a direct effect on your mood.  For some people, this effect manifests itself in severe emotional highs and low that may simulate symptoms of manic-depressive disorder.
• Take magnesium supplements, which relaxes the muscles and promotes a peaceful state of mind.  Additionally, scientists have noted a high incidence of magnesium deficiency in patients suffering depression and anxiety.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia patients experience symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, disorientation, emotional apathy, difficulty concentrating, and problems remembering things.  A series of psychiatric tests are required in order to diagnose schizophrenia, but scientific studies have noted a high incidence of vitamin deficiencies.

• Vitamin B12 deficiency creates symptoms similar to those found in mental disorders such as schizophrenia- mood swings, paranoia, disorientation, memory loss, hallucinations, and depression occur among people with severe vitamin B12 deficiency and schizophrenia, as well.
• Vitamin D deficiency- According to the Vitamin D Council, vitamin D supplementation sustains a balanced mood, reduces stress, and benefits your body’s response to anti-psychotic medications.
• Zinc and vitamin B6 supplements were the focus of a study on pyroluria, a condition that affects half of all schizophrenics.  Pyroluria causes learning disorders, feelings of apathy, chronic fatigue, and hyperactivity. In the study, patients benefited dramatically when given supplements of vitamin B6 and zinc.

Related Reading:

Vitamin Deficiencies can drive you Crazy- Seriously!  Part 1

B12 Deficiency: Don’t Ignore the Symptoms

Teen Mental Illness: Unnoticed, Undiagnosed in America

Sources:

Vitamin D and Schizophrenia- Vitamin D Council

VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY WIDESPREAD DURING PREGNANCY, INCREASING SCHIZOPHRENIA RISK IN CHILDREN

Zinc supplements can help treat depression, ADHD, schizophrenia and other mental health problems

Bipolar Disorder or manic depression including the symptoms can be influenced by nutrition – Food for the Brain

Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Psychotic Symptoms in Adolescents- Internal Medicine News

Psychiatric manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency: a case report- PubMed – NCBI

Vitamin Deficiencies and Depression- About.com

Images:

star5112, Dean812, Caste.

Vitamins that benefit people with schizophrenia or bipolar: For some who suffer depression, anxiety disorder, or symptoms of schizophrenia, vitamin deficiencies, such as vitamin B12 deficiency or low vitamin D may be an influencing factor. In several studies, scientists have noted profound results when patients of behavioral health disorders such as bipolar, clinical depression, or schizophrenia were supplemented with vitamin B12 and vitamin D.

Depression

People diagnosed with severe depression experience deep feelings of sadness, isolation, helplessness, and despair, in addition to difficulty sleeping, fatigue, and bodily aches.

• Vitamin B12 deficiency– One of the symptoms of prolonged vitamin B12 deficiency is depression. For that reason, people with low B12 levels are sometimes misdiagnosed with severe depressive disorder, and given antidepressants as the sole treatment, when they would benefit greatly from vitamin B12 supplements, as well.  One quick blood test will determine if you have vitamin B12 deficiency. Following routine vitamin B12 supplementation, most patients start to see a decrease in deficiency symptoms, and notice an increase in stamina, mental focus, and overall sense of well-being.
• Zinc Deficiency, as reported in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, occurs often among people with ADHD and depression.  Zinc is essential for healthy nerves, mood, and cognitive functioning.  According to the US RDA, adults need approximately 8-11 milligrams of zinc  each day. Zinc occurs naturally in meat, shellfish, and whole grains.
• Vitamin D deficiency in linked with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a condition that causes feelings of deep depression. This explains why many people become more depressed in the winter, as daylight hours decrease and natural exposure to vitamin D in sunlight plummets.  Also, among cultures that necessitate the wearing of full-body coverings, increased risk of vitamin D deficiency and depression have been observed.  For treatment of vitamin defiency, ask your physician for a blood test, and request vitamin D supplements.

Anxiety disorder

People diagnosed with severe anxiety disorder experience symptoms such as nervous or obsessive thoughts, heart palpitations, sweating, dizziness, and panic caused by adrenaline release.  Antidepressants are helpful in most cases, but doctors have also noticed benefit with vitamin supplementation.

• Vitamin B complex; vitamin B deficiency occurs with excessive use of alcohol, tobacco, sugar, and caffeine, consumption of which increase with high stress levels. It is crucial end (or at least limit) your exposure to harmful chemicals, such as nicotine and alcohol. Also, taking regular vitamin B complex supplements is helpful for maintaining a healthy nervous system and promoting feelings of well-being.
• Vitamin B12 deficiency also creates feelings of anxiety in its sufferers.  There is no upper limit for vitamin B12, so if you experience any symptoms of vitamin deficiency, you may begin taking over-the-counter (OTC) vitamin B12 immediately without prescription.

Related reading:

Signs and Symptoms of 6 Types of Anemia Blood Disease

12 Ways to Avoid Alzheimer’s Disease

Rheumatoid Arthritis Stinks- 4 Facts about Depression and Pain

7 Reasons You Have Brain Fog…And What to do About It

Sources:

Vitamin D and Mental Health

Zinc supplements can help treat depression, ADHD, schizophrenia and other mental health problems

Vitamin D Council- Health conditions- Mental health and learning disorders- Depression

Vitamins: Busy B’s- Psychology Today

Vitamin Deficiencies and Depression- About.com

Images courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net, @alviseni

Medical Tourism, New Healthcare Reform?

MorgueFile

There’s never been a better time to visit Costa Rica- really.

As the cost of food and other living expenses goes up, one would think that people in the US would be less inclined to travel to exotic destinations than ever before.  With gas prices skyrocketing, why would anybody in his right mind choose to hop on a plane headed for Thailand, India, or Mexico?

But that’s exactly what more people are doing these days, and believe it or not, their motives are cost-effective.

“Medical Tourism” is at a statistical high, with hopeful patients traveling as far as South Korea for a tummy tuck, Malaysia for a gastric lap band, or Singapore for a gastric bypass.  With hospital safety standards equal to that of American hospitals, many countries in Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific are cashing in on their newly acquired medical technology by appealing to Americans who are tired of paying high health care prices.

MorgueFile

The $6K rule of thumb

Medical tourism agencies have sprouted to meet the demands of US citizens seeking low-cost bariatric surgeries, heart surgeries, and cosmetic surgeries.  But what about the cost of air travel, time off from work, and other vacation expenses? How can you be sure that you won’t just break even in the end, or worse, end up paying more than you would had you elected for surgery in the US of A?

Josef Woodman, author of the consumer guide, Patients Beyond Borders, suggests getting a complete quote from your healthcare insurance, including the actual price of surgery, plus overnight hospital stays and doctor visits.  If the total comes out to more than $6,000, then call your travel agent.  Chances are, you can save a significant amount of money by searching outside the US for a more economical quote.

MorgueFile

Compare the cost:

1) United States

Gastric Bypass- $32K, Gastric Lap Band- $30K, Gastric Sleeve Surgery- $7-20K, Tummy Tuck- $6-9K

2) Mexico

Gastric Bypass- $11K, Gastric Lap Band- $9K, Gastric Sleeve Surgery- $9K, Tummy Tuck- $4K

3) Costa Rica

Gastric Bypass- $10-12K, Gastric Lap Band- $8K, Gastric Sleeve Surgery- $10K, Tummy Tuck- $4K

4) India

Gastric Bypass- $10K, Gastric Lap Band- $9K, Gastric Sleeve Surgery- $5K, Tummy Tuck- $3K

MorgueFile

5) Korea

Gastric Bypass- $9K, Gastric Lap Band- $11K, Gastric Sleeve Surgery- $9K, Tummy Tuck- $5K

6) Malaysia

Gastric Bypass- $12K, Gastric Lap Band- $8K, Gastric Sleeve Surgery- $8K, Tummy Tuck- $4K

7) Singapore

Gastric Bypass- $16K, Gastric Lap Band $9K, Gastric Sleeve Surgery- $11K, Tummy Tuck- $6K

8) Thailand

Gastric Bypass- $13-16K, Gastric Lap Band- $14K, Gastric Sleeve Surgery- $13K, Tummy Tuck- $5K

MorgueFile

Sources:

Weight Loss Surgery Mexico & Abroad- Analysis and Recommendations

Brazil to Turkey: Top 10 Medical Tourism Destinations

Medical Tourism Statistics & Facts- Patients Beyond Borders

Medical Tourism Statistics and Facts

FACTBOX: Five facts about medical tourism- Reuters

Compare Cost- Medical Tourism

Placid Way   Medical Treatment Abroad Prices

Pernicious Anemia, Sickle Cell, and Others: Anemia is a serious blood disease resulting in low blood cell production; aside from vitamin B12 deficiency from pernicious anemia, how many other types of anemia are there?

What are the different kinds of anemia?

There are six general types of anemia.  They include:

Pernicious Anemia (PA)

Pernicious anemia is an acquired disease that causes vitamin B12 deficiency.  Vitamin B12 is crucial for producing healthy red blood cells, in addition to supporting your nervous system, promoting mental clarity, and optimizing your metabolism. With pernicious anemia, you are unable to absorb vitamin B12 from natural food sources, resulting in severe depletion of vitamin B12 levels in your blood.

Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include:

• fatigue
• dizziness
• tingling in your hands and/or feet
• “brain fog”
• memory loss
• depression
• aggression.

If diagnosed with pernicious anemia, your doctor may recommend weekly vitamin B12 injections, which are inserted in the thick thigh muscle or buttock.  Vitamin B12 shots require a prescription, may cause bruising, and are usually painful.

As an alternative, patients may opt for gentle over-the-counter (OTC) vitamin B12 supplements that don’t  require injection.

Also read: B12 Deficiency can really Get on your Nerves

Hemolytic Anemia (HA)

Hemolytic anemia occurs when red blood cells are destroyed (hemolysis) at a rate that is quicker than their reproduction in bone marrow.  People who have hemolytic anemia have either inherited it as a genetic disease, or acquired it later in life.  Mild hemolytic anemia does not usually require treatment, but severe anemia can be life-threatening, requiring blood transfusions, steroids, or splenectomy.

Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA)

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disease.  In sickle cell anemia, abnormally shaped hemoglobin cells become obstructed in small blood vessels, causing pain and possible organ damage to the anemic individual.  There is no cure for sickle cell anemia, but therapies for reducing the symptoms of anemia include antibiotics, pain relievers, and blood transfusions.

Aplastic Anemia (AA)

Aplastic anemia is a blood disease that can be life threatening.  In aplastic anemia, your bone marrow is unable to produce sufficient amounts of crucial blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and blood platelets.  Diagnosis of anemia includes testing that indicates low blood count of any of the three blood cells types.  Causes of aplastic anemia include autoimmune disease (most common) or exposure to chemotherapy and other types of radiation.  Possible treatments for aplastic anemia include bone marrow transplants, blood transfusions, and restraining of the immune system.  Untreated, aplastic anemia can be fatal.

Fanconi Anemia (FA)

Fanconi anemia is a rare blood disorder, and it is inherited as a genetic disease. Fanconi anemia involves bone marrow failure, and can lead to myelogenous leukemia. Even with bone marrow transplants, patients of Fanconi anemia rarely live past the age of thirty.

Bone Marrow Disease Anemia

Sometimes, bone marrow diseases, such as leukemia and myelodysplasia (pre-leukemia), create symptoms of anemia in patients, as diseased bone marrow causes inadequate production of red blood cells.

Related reading:

“I’ve heard of the X Factor and Fear Factor…But what’s Intrinsic Factor?”

B12 Deficiency: Don’t Ignore the Symptoms

AIDS with B12 Deficiency

Sources:

Anemia: Types of Anemia- Healthplus24.com

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Pernicious Anemia? -NHLBI, NIH

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