• Anaemia/ Autoimmune diseases/ Blood sugar management/ Cancer Prevention/ Energy/ Immune System/ Stress Reduction/ Supplements

    B Vitamins and Autoimmune Disease

    B Vitamins

    There are eight numbered B Vitamins that are all important for cellular metabolism but with more recent findings we know the importance of some B Vitamins and Autoimmune Disease.

    People who suffer from Autoimmune Diseases and/or have genetic mutations that affect the way Vitamin B is used in the body may benefit from supplementing the natural forms of B6 (Pyridoxine), B9 (Folate) and B12 (Cobalamin). These three vitamins are critical for for supporting the methyl cycle and DNA and RNA synthesis. B Vitamins are all water soluble and easily lost or destroyed by water, heat processing, roasting and canning. Elevated homocysteine is a proven factor for cardio vascular disease and taking B6, B9 and B12 can lower Homocysteine levels.

    Vitamin B6 as the co-enzyme form Pyridoxal 5′-phosphate, P5’P  is used in the metabolism of proteins and fats and is necessary for creating glucose from these foods and is also essential for the synthesis of neurotransmitters and red blood cells. It is necessary for the production of Hydrochloric acid and the absorption of Magnesium and B12. Helps the body metabolise and transport selenium and zinc, is a natural diuretic and alleviates nausea. It is involved in converting 5-HTP into Serotonin and also the calming neurotransmitter GABA.

    Signs of Deficiency are

    • Anaemia not corrected by iron
    • poor sleep
    • kidney stones
    • morning sickness
    • PMS – Premenstrual Syndrome
    • Skin rashes and dry skin
    • Anxiety and nervousness
    • Insulin Resistance
    • muscle spasms and cramps
    • Carpal Tunnel syndrome
    •  Asperger’s and Autism
    • Heart Disease

    Causes of deficiency are Read More

  • Anaemia/ Inflammation/ Mineral Depletion/ Nutritional Medicine/ Sizzling Minerals

    ANAEMIA – why is it still a huge problem?

    B Vitamins

    Anaemia is a still a serious problem and is present when:-

    • your levels of Hb -haemoglobin (the protein that transports iron and oxygen) are low
    • you have fewer healthy Red Blood Cells (RBC) that contain haemoglobin
    • you have  RBC that may be smaller and paler than usual

    If you have low iron and fewer RBC you will be getting less oxygen to your cells which can lead to cell damage, poor mental function, low energy and even cancer.

    If you also have low Ferritin then that shows that you are not storing sufficient iron in the body and this could be due to low levels of nutrients required to make healthy RBC or you may be losing too many from the body.

    If you have high Ferritin in the body then it may indicate an Anaemia of chronic disease or an inflammatory response where the body is in defense mode and storing more iron and this is why Anaemia should never be treated before knowing the cause. To take an iron supplement without a diagnosis from a Doctor can be dangerous.

    As a Nutritionist I am concerned as I would have thought that Anaemia should have declined with rising standards of living, more protein in our diets and better knowledge of nutrition generally but that doesn’t seem to be the case. I know personally of three people, ages from 7 to 40, on good diets, who have anaemia with low Ferritin levels that partially respond to iron supplementation but their Ferritin levels remain low. This would suggest that other factors are missing in their diet that convert the iron into the correct form for re-use and storage. I believe this could be due to missing micro-nutrients in both the food consumed and modern choices in diet that limit the intake of iron, copper and zinc and possibly Vitamin B12. Skip to the section on Treatment for iron deficiency Anaemia if you already know about anaemia in general and would like to know more about micro-nutrient deficiency.

    Facts and Figures

    Normal levels Hb are

    Men 13.5 to 17.5 gm/dL

    Women 12.0 to 15.5 gm/dL

    Children 11.0 to 13 gm/dL

    *30% of the World Population has iron deficiency Anaemia 

    * there are over 1 million deaths a year from Anaemia

    according to a recent study in The Lancet Anaemia is 3rd on the list of medical problems that cause suffering and more Years Lived with Disability(YLD) coming higher than Diabetes that is in 7th place.

    So Anaemia is a serious condition and should be viewed as a symptom rather than a disease in itself.

    Signs and Symptoms of possible Anaemia Read More