By Frank Will
A Vitamin B Deficiency has shown to be linked to several diseases through various research studies, and supplements of this class of vitamins may be a tremendous help in preventative measures.
With modern science trying to fully understand a deficiency of this class of vitamins, several advances that changed the way the world viewed vitamins were made.
The discovery that too little folic acid, one of the eight B vitamins, and the link to birth defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly, started this change of view.
Fifty years ago no one knew what caused these birth defects, which occurred when the early development of tissues that eventually become the spinal cord and the tissues that surround it, or the brain, went awry. Over 25 years ago, researchers found that the mothers of children with spina bifida had low vitamin levels of one of the B vitamins.
Two large trials of randomly selected test groups were conducted where women were assigned to take folic acid or a placebo, and the tests showed that groups getting too little folic acid increased a woman's chances of having a baby with spina bifida or anencephaly; while groups getting enough folic acid either in the diet or through supplements seemed to prevent these defects.
Some if the evidence that modern medicine discovered is that what is considered enough folic acid, at least 400 micrograms a day, is not easily consumed from the food that we eat, and therefore must be supplemented.
Liquid vitamins and minerals offer a superior form of supplement of this class of vitamins, because of their superior absorption ratio compared to pills or capsules.
These early studies are why women of child bearing age today are urged to take extra folic acid, and in doing so, they may be preventing this birth defect in their children. This research is also what led the US Food and Drug Administration in requiring folic acid to be added to most enriched breads, flour, cornmeal, rice, pastas, and other grain products.
The other exciting discovery about the usage and benefits of folic acid and other B vitamins is that they may potentially fight heart disease and some types of cancer. It is too early to tell if there is merely an association between the increased intake of folic acid and other B vitamins and heart disease or cancer, or if high intakes prevent these chronic diseases, but there are some other interesting facts.
In the late 1960's, there was a case where two children had died from massive strokes. The case was examined by a Boston pathologist. Both children had inherited conditions that caused them to have high levels of a protein breakdown called homocysteine in their blood, and both had arteries that where as clogged of those of a 65 year old man that was a fast food addict.
Homocysteine is an amino acid that is found within the blood supply, and several Epidemiological studies have shown that too much of this amino acid is related to higher risks of strokes, coronary heart diseases, and peripheral vascular disease.
After analyzing the case, the pathologist hypothesized that high levels of homocystenine contribute to the artery clogging process of atherosclerosis, a condition where the artery walls are thickened with plaque.
Since then, there have been several other studies that have also linked high levels of homocystenine with increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 play key roles in recycling homocystenine into methionine, one of the 20 plus building blocks from which the body builds new proteins.
Without enough folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, this recycling process becomes inefficient and homocystenine levels increase.
Several other studies have also shown that high levels of homocystenine are associated with increased risks of heart disease and strokes, and increasing the intake of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 decreases homocystenine levels.
Other studies also show lower risks of cardiovascular disease among people with higher intakes of folic acid, those who use multivitamin supplements, or those with higher serum folate, the form of folic acid in the body.
In addition to recycling homocystenine, folate plays a key role in building DNA, the complex compound that forms our generic blueprint. Observational studies have also shown that people who get higher than average amounts of folic acid from their diets or supplements may also have lower risks of colon cancer and breast cancer.
Deficiency of this class of vitamins does provide for several interesting studies, and as a result, this is a vitamin class worth considering in your daily supplement intake.
I am an avid lover of pets and my wife and I have had several pets throughout our years. We are especially fond of dogs, and we have a 12 year old Dalmatian (our 3rd) and a "mutt" that we rescued when someone threw him away to die in a vacant field.
He found us, nearly starved to death, and weighed about 2 pounds.
After severe bouts of mange and severe dehydration, and over 1,000.00 in veterinarian bills, we saved the little guys life, and he is one of the best, if not the best, dogs we have ever had and today is a muscular, fit, and firm 70 pound best friend.
After finishing my MBA, which at middle age was not easy, I decided to keep the research work ethics that I acquired, and devote about two hours each night in understanding the health benefits of supplementation for both humans and pets and how they might strengthen our, as well as our pets, immune system in a pre-emptive approach to health rather than a reactionary approach.
Both of my daughters are avid cat lovers, and asked me to help them with health concerns and challenges with their cats.
I am not a veterinarian nor claim to be, just a lover of pets that loves to research and pass on some knowledge that might be helpful, or at least stimulating to the thought process.
A Vitamin B Deficiency has shown to be linked to several diseases through various research studies, and supplements of this class of vitamins may be a tremendous help in preventative measures.
With modern science trying to fully understand a deficiency of this class of vitamins, several advances that changed the way the world viewed vitamins were made.
The discovery that too little folic acid, one of the eight B vitamins, and the link to birth defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly, started this change of view.
Fifty years ago no one knew what caused these birth defects, which occurred when the early development of tissues that eventually become the spinal cord and the tissues that surround it, or the brain, went awry. Over 25 years ago, researchers found that the mothers of children with spina bifida had low vitamin levels of one of the B vitamins.
Two large trials of randomly selected test groups were conducted where women were assigned to take folic acid or a placebo, and the tests showed that groups getting too little folic acid increased a woman's chances of having a baby with spina bifida or anencephaly; while groups getting enough folic acid either in the diet or through supplements seemed to prevent these defects.
Some if the evidence that modern medicine discovered is that what is considered enough folic acid, at least 400 micrograms a day, is not easily consumed from the food that we eat, and therefore must be supplemented.
Liquid vitamins and minerals offer a superior form of supplement of this class of vitamins, because of their superior absorption ratio compared to pills or capsules.
These early studies are why women of child bearing age today are urged to take extra folic acid, and in doing so, they may be preventing this birth defect in their children. This research is also what led the US Food and Drug Administration in requiring folic acid to be added to most enriched breads, flour, cornmeal, rice, pastas, and other grain products.
The other exciting discovery about the usage and benefits of folic acid and other B vitamins is that they may potentially fight heart disease and some types of cancer. It is too early to tell if there is merely an association between the increased intake of folic acid and other B vitamins and heart disease or cancer, or if high intakes prevent these chronic diseases, but there are some other interesting facts.
In the late 1960's, there was a case where two children had died from massive strokes. The case was examined by a Boston pathologist. Both children had inherited conditions that caused them to have high levels of a protein breakdown called homocysteine in their blood, and both had arteries that where as clogged of those of a 65 year old man that was a fast food addict.
Homocysteine is an amino acid that is found within the blood supply, and several Epidemiological studies have shown that too much of this amino acid is related to higher risks of strokes, coronary heart diseases, and peripheral vascular disease.
After analyzing the case, the pathologist hypothesized that high levels of homocystenine contribute to the artery clogging process of atherosclerosis, a condition where the artery walls are thickened with plaque.
Since then, there have been several other studies that have also linked high levels of homocystenine with increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 play key roles in recycling homocystenine into methionine, one of the 20 plus building blocks from which the body builds new proteins.
Without enough folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, this recycling process becomes inefficient and homocystenine levels increase.
Several other studies have also shown that high levels of homocystenine are associated with increased risks of heart disease and strokes, and increasing the intake of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 decreases homocystenine levels.
Other studies also show lower risks of cardiovascular disease among people with higher intakes of folic acid, those who use multivitamin supplements, or those with higher serum folate, the form of folic acid in the body.
In addition to recycling homocystenine, folate plays a key role in building DNA, the complex compound that forms our generic blueprint. Observational studies have also shown that people who get higher than average amounts of folic acid from their diets or supplements may also have lower risks of colon cancer and breast cancer.
Deficiency of this class of vitamins does provide for several interesting studies, and as a result, this is a vitamin class worth considering in your daily supplement intake.
I am an avid lover of pets and my wife and I have had several pets throughout our years. We are especially fond of dogs, and we have a 12 year old Dalmatian (our 3rd) and a "mutt" that we rescued when someone threw him away to die in a vacant field.
He found us, nearly starved to death, and weighed about 2 pounds.
After severe bouts of mange and severe dehydration, and over 1,000.00 in veterinarian bills, we saved the little guys life, and he is one of the best, if not the best, dogs we have ever had and today is a muscular, fit, and firm 70 pound best friend.
After finishing my MBA, which at middle age was not easy, I decided to keep the research work ethics that I acquired, and devote about two hours each night in understanding the health benefits of supplementation for both humans and pets and how they might strengthen our, as well as our pets, immune system in a pre-emptive approach to health rather than a reactionary approach.
Both of my daughters are avid cat lovers, and asked me to help them with health concerns and challenges with their cats.
I am not a veterinarian nor claim to be, just a lover of pets that loves to research and pass on some knowledge that might be helpful, or at least stimulating to the thought process.
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