Twitter Me
Find me on Facebook
YouTube Channel
Adaptogens
December 25, 2009 by admin
Filed under Superfoods
The word adaptogen is a very apt word for this ingredient. In simple terms this ingredient helps the body adapt naturally to cope and with reducing stress. Since 1947 medical and scientific research has been conducted and published on adaptogens in various parts of the world, but has lately only become available to us in the West.
Not only do they help us to cope with stress and the hassles of every day living, but they are also powerful antioxidants. There is a vast amount of information available on this ingredient, but it is relatively new in the Western hemisphere, since the Russians, during the Cold War period, did major research on this ingredient.
It is non- toxic and is not habit forming, while it exerts a normalizing influence on the body, possessing a wide range of therapeutic benefits which cause no disturbance to the normal functioning of the body.
Adaptogens are natural nutrients and are made from three types of plants – Rhodiola rosea, Eleutherococcus and Schizandra chinensis.
Explaining the effects of the adaptogens is difficult, since they will influence each individual differently. If you are mentally exhausted or physically fatigued the adaptogens will help you feel more energetic, vitalized, and full of zest for life – but yet, they are not normal stimulants.
Should you however be stressed-out, or emotionally tired, and not coping with life the adaptogens will help you relax and make life easier to cope with, yet they are not tranquillizers and will not have a drug-like effect on the body.
The antioxidants contained in the adaptogens help the body fight free radicals which are released during the oxidation process of metabolism in the body, which can cause a variety of problems such as cell degeneration, cancer, ageing and many other diseases.
To ensure that the vital nutrients, and their potency, are retained while being extracted from the plant material a unique extraction method is used.
Adaptogens are completely safe and effective and have been tested by various institutes, academies and sports agencies – and contain no drugs, preservatives nor banned substances.
Should you feel you are not coping, continuously fatigued or you need to increase stamina, endurance, concentration and mental clarity, you might look at adding this nutrient to your diet in order to improve these conditions.
An increase of over 20% in the capacity to work has been reported as well as a reduction of errors made, by over 80% – which makes this a great nutrient to take when studying, or working at optimum levels.
It is further reported that endurance is increased by up to 26% and an increase in strength is improved by nearly 10%.
The dosage underneath is the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), but be aware that this dosage is the minimum that you require per day, to ward off serious deficiency of this particular nutrient. In the therapeutic use of this nutrient, the dosage is usually increased considerably, but the toxicity level must be kept in mind.
We recommend a minimum of 1 x capsule for each 70 pounds of body weight.
Toxicity and symptoms of high intake
There are no toxic effects of this ingredient and high intake is well tolerated. ADAPTOGENS ARE NOT BANNED BY ANY INTERNATIONAL SPORTS.
Adaptogens are best taken first thing in the morning for best absorption.
During periods of extreme mental and physical exertion, great benefit can be derived from this nutrient.
People that have been using ecstasy as a recreational drug, with resultant depression, and a drop in dopamine levels in the brain, have reported an increased feeling of well-being after ceasing the intake of ecstasy, and taking adaptogens to help repair the damage caused by this recreational drug.
It has been reported that bodybuilders and athletes improve their performance with adaptogens, since it helps the body to return quicker to its normal resting stage.
Adaptogens are found in Rhodiola rosea, Eleutherococcus and Schizandra chinensis.
Source: www.anyvitamins.com
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B 12, known as cyanocobalamin, cobolamin and also known as the energy vitamin is a very widely researched vitamin, and used in supplementation to a very large degree.
This complex structured compound with its cobalt content forms part of the B group vitamins, and the body needs very small amounts.
Vitamin B12 – cyanocobamin – is required for
Cobolamin is needed in the manufacture of red blood cells and the maintenance of red blood cells and it stimulates appetite, promotes growth and release energy. It is often used with older people to give an energy boost, assist in preventing mental deterioration and helps with speeding up thought processes. Some people are also of the opinion that it helps with clearing up infections and provide protection against allergies and cancer. This vitamin is also used in the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
Some symptoms of a deficiency will include a sore tongue, weakness, fatigue, and weight loss, back pain and apathy. It might further result in loss of balance, decreased reflexes, tingling of the fingers, ringing in the ears etc.
A deficiency may also result in the raising of the level of homocysteine in the blood – which in high doses can be toxic to the brain, which may be involved in Alzheimer disease. Severe deficiency may result in pernicious anemia also called Addisonian pernicious anemia.
Another problem that appears in deficiency is the eroding of the myelin sheath – the fatty sheath of tissue, which insulates the nerve fibers in your body.
The dosage underneath is the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), but be aware that this dosage is the minimum that you require per day, to ward off serious deficiency of this particular nutrient. In the therapeutic use of this nutrient, the dosage is usually increased considerably, but the toxicity level must be kept in mind.
Male and female 3 mcg per day.
Toxicity and symptoms of high intake
Toxicity not established but people taking vitamin B12 injections may experience skin problems if in large excess, but will normalize once the injections are stopped.
Iron, calcium, sodium, potassium as well as vitamin C are good in nutritional synergy.
People on strict vegan and macrobiotic diets are often deficient on Vitamin B12.
Some people suffer from a potentially serious problem, causing the vitamin not to be absorbed in the intestinal tract, which can lead to pernicious (destructive) anemia.
Anybody consuming alcohol should look at their B12 levels or if you take laxatives or antacids regularly.
Older people could also benefit from this vitamin as the intestinal situation changes as you age, and many people older than sixty have difficulty extracting the vitamin from ingested food since the correct stomach acids are not present.
Excessive alcohol can impair the absorption of this vitamin.
Vitamin B12 can not be manufactured by any plants, and therefore is only found in animal products – therefore a deficiency may happens to people on a strict vegan diet.
Unlike other water-soluble vitamins, B12 needs some 3 hours to be absorbed where other B vitamins are absorbed nearly immediately.
Vitamin B12 is present in liver, organ meat, muscle meat, shellfish, eggs, cheese, fish, and can be manufactured in the body. Although milk contains B12, processing of milk may lead to destruction of the vitamin.
Source: www.anyvitamins.com
Vitamin B9
Folic acid, also known as Vitamin B9, is also referred to as folacin or folate and its chemical name is pteroylglutamic acid. This vitamin can be manufactured by the body and be stored in the liver.
Vitamin B9 – folic acid – is required for
Folic acid is required for DNA synthesis and cell growth and is important for red blood cell formation, energy production as well as the forming of amino acids. Folic acid is essential for creating heme, the iron containing substance in hemoglobin, crucial for oxygen transport.
It is important for healthy cell division and replication, since its involvement as coenzyme for RNA and DNA synthesis. It is also required for protein metabolism and in treating folic acid anemia. Folic acid also assists in digestion, and the nervous system, and works at improving mental as well as emotional health. This nutrient may be effective in treating depression and anxiety.
Shortage of folic acid may be indicated with diarrhea, heartburn and constipation.
Folic acid is very important in the development of the nervous system of a developing fetus.
A deficiency of folic acid on an unborn baby may increase the risk of the baby being born with spina bifida and other serious defects of the nervous system.
When deficient of folic acid, you might suffer from fatigue, acne, a sore tongue, cracking at the corners of your mouth (same as deficiency of vitamin B2, vitamin B6 as well as iron). Long term deficiency may result in anemia and later in osteoporosis, as well as cancer of the bowel and cervix.
The dosage underneath is the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), but be aware that this dosage is the minimum that you require per day, to ward off serious deficiency of this particular nutrient. In the therapeutic use of this nutrient, the dosage is usually increased considerably, but the toxicity level must be kept in mind.
400 micrograms per day.
Toxicity and symptoms of high intake
Anybody on medication for epilepsy should be careful with large amounts of folic acid, since it can change the functioning of such drugs.
Too much folic acid may mask a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Regular high intake of folic acid may cause digestive upset, energy loss and insomnia.
Folic acid is more effective when taken with the B group vitamins – especially vitamin B12 and vitamin B6. Vitamin C is also good to have around folic acid.
Pregnant women are sometimes advised to take a small supplement of folic acid to help prevent spina bifida and other congenial nervous disorders, and may also assist to reduce the risk of toxemia in pregnancy, premature labor and hemorrhaging. It is also thought to enhance the production of milk after delivery.
Sufferers of psoriasis may consider taking extra folic acid, people under stress or anyone consuming alcohol.
Women on birth control pills or busy with hormone replacement therapy may benefit from folic acid, as well as children if they are on goat’s milk instead of cow’s milk.
Enemy of vitamin B9 – folic acid
Light, heat and storage for extended periods can destroy this vitamin.
Localized deficiencies of folic acid may exist for smokers, as low levels have been detected in the lungs of smokers.
Fresh green vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli contain folic acid. It is also found in fruit, starchy vegetables, beans, whole grains and liver.
Source: www.anyvitamins.com
Loading ...