VITAMINS & YOU
2-10-99
CLASS FOUR

BIOTIN = B7
DTRCN: Biotin was discovered in the 1800's when they noticed eating large
amounts of raw eggs deficiency signs of scaly skin, hair loss, oily skin rash, nausea,
muscle pain, red inflamed tongue, and fatigue would appear.

DTRCN: There is no real disease name for this but it is not advised for
anyone to eat raw eggs.
.
PROPERTIES: Biotin is a sulfur containing nutrient and mostly
produced by the micro-organisms of the lower gastrointestinal tract. It is susceptible
to oxidation, cooking, canning and processing.
.

ABSORPTION: Since it is produced in the intestines, any type of

gastric upset prohibits absorption such as: diarrhea, flu, irritabowel syndrome, use of
antibiotics (especially sulfa), alcohol and other digestive diseases.
.
FUNCTIONS:
.
DTRCN: 1) "Biotin helps convert food to energy

DTRCN: 2) B7 aids in metabolism of carbon dioxide

DTRCN: 3) assist with synthesizing proteins, FATS, and carbohydrates.
.
DTRCN: 4) Biotin helps with the formation of RNA/DNA

DTRCN: NOTE: in a recent Japanese study Type II diabetics were found to
have reduced biotin levels while having elevated blood sugar. Those participating in the study were then given 9000mcg (micrograms) of biotin for one month and at the end of the month all blood sugar levels had fallen to at least 1/2 their original level.
.
SOURCES: It is hard to obtain biotin from the diet but egg yolk,
grains and some veggies have biotin.

TOXICITY: No known toxicity of biotin
.
OHA = 300mcg RDA = 300mcg
.
DEFICIENCIES: Most B-complex deficiencies will effect nerves, skin
and ENERGY.

SYMPTOMS: Nausea, depression, hair loss, loss of appetite, scaly dry
skin, pallor.

BDeGraz: How do scientists determine all this?/
.
DTRCN: research..........word of mouth.......then research
BDeGraz: on rats?/
DTRCN: some of this come from Dr's office visits and then diagnosis.
DTRCN: mostly rats yes........as I said they have to test animals first.
.
DTRCN: They found by research that it is the Avidin in the egg whites that
destroys the Biotin.

PARSHURAM: Which one is the best for preventing hair loss - B1 or B2 or B6?

DTRCN: actually Biotin is associated with hair loss and B2 hair coloring.
But as you can see from above all the entire B complex helps with hair, skin, nerves, etc.

BDeGraz: What is the anti-aging vitamin?")

DTRCN: Now that is a can of worms............do you really think there is
ONE?

BDeGraz: no

DTRCN: Good

DTRCN: If when we finish this class, you cannot see the functions of these
vitamins and how closely knit they are................you will know there just isn't one vitamin that does any ONE thing.
but the HYPE will have you believing otherwise. And that is the
discussion we will be having at the end of this class.

PARSHURAM: Have you heard about anti-aging GeroVita by Dr. Aslan?
I was told that Hollywood stars go to Romania

DTRCN: Nope.......try to stay away from this........but bet it makes him
rich. I am just chuckling to myself because I wish I could think of these
things. darn.
.
PARSHURAM: Studies have done in Germany and in US universaties. I can fax
you the copy of the study . I am stunned with this report

DTRCN: I will be more than happy to look at it.............and one report
does not make me believe.

DTRCN: I am sorry to play devils advocate.......but as I was in the health
food business. I became very good at research so as to not get the "quackery" label.
.
.
FOLIC ACID = B9
.
HISTORY: Only found in 1949, folic acid is new to the vitamin
scene. The last few years of reseach have shown the it is essential for the fetus to have adequate B9 to protect them from birth defects.
.
NOTE: The government recommends women of child bearing age have 400
mcg a day. A recent March of Dimes study on women found that only 15% of women
were aware of the new findings and only 28% of all women asked take a vitamin with
Folic Acid in it.
.
PROPERTIES: Folacin (another name) was first identified in the
pigment of butterfly wings. Most Folic Acid/B9 is lost when vegetables are stored at room temperatures. High cooking temps also destroy B9.
Ex: in Dried milk the folic acid is actively destroyed with as much
as 50% being shown to be lost in cooking and preparation.

ABSORPTION & DIGESTION: Folic Acid is better absorbed and utilized
from animal sources. Researchers feel this is due to the Vit C and Fe (iron) content in
plants. A low pH can also help absorption.
.
Low Zn (zinc) levels can inhibit Folate utilization by the body.
.
NOTE: one source states "they now think Folic Acid deficiency may
be the most common in humans.

NOTE: Folacin can be trapped in the cells if there is low B12 and
the blood levels may read normal but that folacin is unusable to the body.
.
DTRCN: The overall rate of absorption for Folic Acid is less than 50%.
.
SOURCES: liver, brewers yeast, dried beans, oranges, whole wheat
products, some veggies.
.
FUNCTIONS:

DTRCN: 1) B9 is called the "Power House" vitamin as it works with 20
enzymes to build RNA/DNA.

DTRCN: 2) Folacin also stimulates production of hemoglobin for red blood
cells. A deficiency symptom of this would be "megoblastic anemia"=large immature red blood cells which break down easily.

DTRCN: 3) Co-enzyme for many body systems
.
DTRCN: 4) essential for white blood cell formation
.
DEFICIENCY SIGNS: Anemia, cracks on lips and at corner of mouth,
gastric disorders, infertility, weakness, depression, polyneuropathy (disorder of the
peripheral nerves)

TOXICITY: basically no toxicity

OHA = 400 - 800 mcg RDA = 400 mcg

DTRCN: STUDY: the Uv of Alabama studied women with high Folate levels in
their cervical cells and found these women were 2-5 times less likely to develop cervical
dysplasia which can progress into cancer.

BDeGraz: I take 1000mcg Folic Acid, 25 mg Vit B6 100 mcg twice
BDeGraz: a day to keep my homocysteine at normal levels/
.
DTRCN: Why were they out of range would be my first question.

BDeGraz: Homocysteine was way out of range >
BDeGraz: in 3 months it came down to a low normal/
BDeGraz: Homocystein plugs arteries

PARSHURAM: You are right that one of the reason of heart attack is high
homocysteine
.
PARSHURAM: How about juice of spinach? It brings down homocy.. down
DTRCN: That I understand............I assume you also changed diet.
BDeGraz: Yes

PARSHURAM: I read in a book by Jean Carper

BDeGraz: I have her book..will look it up..thanks
BDeGraz: How about just plain spinach?
DTRCN: Ok BD I wanted to make sure I am giving you correct info but B12
helps Folate with the homocysteine conversion in the body.
DTRCN: so be sure to get complete B-complex with your add-ins.
BDeGraz: ok

BDeGraz: What is REALLY good for colds?\

DTRCN: Don't laugh but homemade chicken soup.
DTRCN: zinc has been reported to help but you have to get it right at the
beginning.
DTRCN: I use Liquid Vit C......especially if sore throat goes with it. The
C goes directly into
DTRCN: the mucus membranes of mouth and works pretty quick.......but again
DTRCN: getting it right at the first is the best.
.
PANTOTHENIC ACID = B5

DTRCN: Pantothenic Acid is found to exist in ALL living cells.
.
PROPERTIES: Dry heat, baking soda, vinegar, milling and processing
destroy B5. After many studies, it was shown that over 1/2 B5 is lost just in the milling
process and then 1/3 of B5 from meat is lost in cooking.

: ABSORPTION & DIGESTION: Some B5 is made by intestinal flora and any intestinal problems effect D & A. Mainly, high processed diets are
the worst threat to B5 deficiency since it is mostly destroyed.

NOTE: Teens and elderly are at high risk for deficiency since their
diets tend to consist of mainly processed food.

NOTE: Alcoholics excrete almost all B5 that they ingest. Anyone on
antibiotic therapy, which reduces/destroys intestinal flora, is also at high risk of B5
deficiency.

SOURCES: Due to the fact that Pantothenic Acid is in all living
cells, it is widely available in food. Proper preparation such as steaming, eating
whole grains gives one a better chance of getting B5.

FUNCTIONS:
.
DTRCN: 1) Pantothenic Acid is an integral part of Co-enzyme A which helps
the cells release energy to the body.

DTRCN: 2) B5 supports the adrenal glands in producing cortisone a natural
steroid
.
DTRCN: 3) it is important for healthy sking and NERVES as it is a
neurotransmitter.
.
DTRCN: 4) B5 assist the immune system to fight infection.

DTRCN: 5) Bt helps with hemoglobin production.

DEFICIENCY SIGNS: fatigue, loss of nerve function, premature graying
of the hair, tingling or burning sensation of the hands and feet, hypoglycemia, decreased
adrenal function = depression, digestive probelms.

TOXICITY: No known toxicity.

STUDY: subjects were given 1000mg daily for 6 months with only mild diarrhea.

DTRCN: NOTE: Pantothenic Acid taken without the other B vitamins can create
a metabolic imbalance in the body.
.
OHA = 50 - 100 mg RDA 50 - 100 mg
.
Theraputic: 250 - 500 mg has been used.
.

BDeGraz: What type of medical person can I go to get an overalll>
BDeGraz: picture of my herbs, vit/min and medictions?\
BDeGraz: naturpath?\

DTRCN: Naturpath is not really into Vit/Min mostly herbs at least the ones I
have met. They use the herbal formulas a lot. There are MD's out there who work with Vit/Min but most no nothing of herbs. There is Dr Weil.......on the net.
.
BDeGraz: I get him but want fact to face\
DTRCN: But am not sure what he could tell you. What info are you looking
for? You see no one really has all the knowledge and it is hard right now
as so much research is being done./
BDeGraz: It's trial and error then?
DTRCN: Very much so.

DTRCN: Let me finish B12 and we will have an open discussion on this.

COBALAMIN = B12

HISTORY: B12 has a high potency against Pernicious Anemia (anemia
caused by the body not producing the IF (intrinsic factor) in the stomach to help
manufacture B12, this usually occurs after 35 yrs of age.
.
DTRCN: PROPERTIES: B12 has cobalt (a mineral) in it's molecule which gives
B12 a red cast. B12 is destroyed by acid, alkali, light and oxidation. B12 is the
largest and most complex of the B vitamins.

SOURCES: meats, fish (oily highest), eggs, dairy. B12 is not
produced by plants. About 70% of the vitamin is retained when cooking meat. But mostly we depend on the B12 that is made in the body.

DIGESTION & ABSORPTION: B12 is produced by the bacteria in a
healthy intestinal tract environment. However, this is obtained from eating meat which then uses the IF, from HcL (hydrochloric acid) in the stomach to be absorbed. B12 can be stored in the tissues.

NOTE: B12, unlike the other B vitamins, takes at least two hours for
absorption.
.
: INHIBITS absorption: laxative use, antacids, antibiotics, alcohol,
malabsorption syndromes, strict vegetarians, age, lack of calcium, and iron.

Per "the Vitamin" book I use for class Smoking is also an inhibitor
of B12. One study showed that the children of vegetarians were B12 deficient
which stunted their growth and caused other problems.

FUNCTIONS: B12 is called the "Energy" vitamin
.
DTRCN: 1) B12 helps convert carbohydrates, fats, protein into Energy.
.
DTRCN: 2) it produces the myelin sheath around the nerves which keep the
"electrical" impulses running throughout the body.
.
DTRCN: 3) it assit withthe formation of red blood cells.

DTRCN: 4) B12 is critical for producing RNA/DNA
.
DTRCN: 5) it functions as a co-enzyme
.
NOTE: per an abstract off Medline which was presented Dec 1995 quote
"Vitamin B12 deficiency may be the most underestimated in the general population".

DEFICIENCY SIGNS: Pernicious Anemia (can be fatal), fatigue,
soreness of legs and arms, difficulty walking, sensitive skin, memory loss, mental slowness, mood changes,tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss, nerve problems.
.
NOTE: The problem caused by a deficiency to the nerve is irreversible
even using supplements

TOXICITY: Non toxic even taking high doses (10 times the RDA)
.
OHA = 10 - 50 mcg RDA = 2 - 6 mcg

: Therapeutic = 500 - 1000mcg

QUOTE: There's evidence that in some, the accumulation of homocysteine may be caused by a genetic defect, while in others it is simply the result of a Vitamin
B12 deficiency. Such clotting and homocysteine buildup also seem to occur during
Floate and B6 deficiences.

DTRCN: Does that tell you better what you need?
DTRCN: Or help somewhat?
DTRCN: that is why I ask the reason..........I am not sure it would help a
genetic defect.

BDeGraz: I was looking for something to help my tinnitus sounds >like B12
is the answer<

DTRCN: remember it is trial and error it may or may not work.

PARSHURAM: Which brand is the best for multivitamin? I remembered you told
us how to test the vitamin in our first class

DTRCN: I use Solaray.........they are capsules and seem to give me good
results. That is personal preference. Who is to say what is the best. If you read their labels they all are. Use what works.
.
PARSHURAM: thanks
DTRCN: that quote about homocysteine was from John Pinto PhD Cornell U