Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Day 134: Walking on Achy Legs

Legs hurt, I tried to jog but it wasn't happening so I walked instead. 

Daily Recap:
Matt: 30 minute speed walk
Kelly: 30 minute speed walk

Vitamin B:

The B vitamin group is water-soluble vitamins that are important in the role of cell metabolism.  Once scientists thought that B was a single vitamin, now research has shown that there are actually many different B vitamins.  The most common of these is B-12.

When we think of the B vitamin group we think of taking them for fatigue but it turns out that it both needed and prescribed for many different aliments. B-12 is used to treat conditions like Alzheimer’s, heart disease, breast cancer, high cholesterol, and sickle cell disease.  It is common for people over the age of 50 to have low levels of B-12. 

A deficiency of B-12 can not only cause fatigue but memory loss as well as problems with the nervous system as a whole. 

Generally doctors suggest foods fortified with B vitamins as well as supplements for people over 50 since as we age it becomes more difficult for our bodies to absorb B12 from foods.

Foods rich in B-12 include: Fish, Shellfish, Turkey, Eggs, Dairy, as well as foods fortified with B vitamins such as cereals and breads. 

Interestingly high doses of B-12 have been known to cause acne and a small percentage of the population is allergic to B-12.  Symptoms include swelling, itchy skin, and in severe cases shock. 

Now we know a little more about B-12 and its benefits to the body, I don’t know about you but I learned something. 

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