The B- vitamins are a complex group of specific nutrients that are needed as a combination for us to be healthy.  Certain groups within the population are extremely vulnerable to B-vitamin deficiencies.

1.  People over 65 loose B12, as their digestion decreases with age (think Alka Pan, Super Digest and Food Combining).

2.  Vegetarians can miss sources of B12.

3.  Smokers and drinkers can become B6 deficient.

Dr. Jane Gorden M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown Medical School states ” with all our processed food, up to 60% of Americans have a B-vitamin deficit.” !

Because B-vitamins are water soluble (unlike vitamin A & D  that are fat soluble/and stored) b-vitamins must be ingested daily.

There are several causes of B deficiencies, including those already mentioned:

-refined diet

-mental stress (resisting life’s lessons)

-excess physical activity

-therapeutic and recreational drugs

-alcohol

Here’s a short list of what B-vitamins do for us:

-crucial in methylation: process by which DNA and protein are produced and sustained.

-can help lower levels of homo-cysteine, helping heart health.

-neurotransmitter creation: mood balancing.

One might ask “How do I know if I have a B-vitamin deficiency?

Fatigue, memory loss, headache, depression, muscle weakness, cardiovascular and neurological problems, anorexia, weight loss, mental confusion, inflammation, blood pressure (high or low), indigestion, allergies, loose joints, insomnia, nervousness, craving sweets, irritable, noise sensitivity.

Here’s some foods that quickly will bring up B-vitamins if you ingest them daily

Brewers yeast                Clams                             Egg Yolk

Torula Yeast                  Peanut Butter             Lettuce

Sunflower Seeds           Beef                                 Cauliflower

Wheat Germ                   Tuna Fish                      bect greens

Liver                                 Green Vegetables      Mushrooms

Lamb                                Almonds                        Brussels Sprouts

Kidney                             Cheese                            Milk

Lima Beans                    Bananas                          Poultry

Potato                              Whole Grain

Vegetarians may need to supplement.   Standard Process has 2 great products, Cataplex B and Cataplex G for the full B-vitamin spectrum. Alka Green is also great!

In Health & Service,

Dr. Roland Phillips