Vitamin B12 Crying Babies & Pregnancy

Crybabies may lack vitamin B12 mothers advised

The meat manufacturing, production, processing and industry is now clutching at straws following the UK Government's announcement that we should eat no more than the equivalent of a small lamb chop and restrict our meat consumption to the bare minimum to avoid increased risks of cancer.

Once again ignoring the facts that there are safer plant based sources of all of the handful of nutrients that are found in meat, and that meat is not only missing most anti-oxidants, fibre and many other essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals but is also implicated in thwarting our ability to attain a healthy synergistic balance of these nutrients.

Once again it's the essential vitamin B12 that meat industry lobbyists have got their blood stained mitts on.

Acording to FIGO The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics almost 3,000 pregnant women took part in the study, in which researchers in the Netherlands measured the levels of vitamin B12 in the bloodstream of the mothers-to-be.

The Dutch researchers found the women with the least amount of the vitamin B12 nutrient in their blood had babies who were eight times more prone to crying.

Leading UK Nutritionist, London Yvonne Bishop-Weston explains the implications of the new findings.

The new study (reference) has shown a link between the level of vitamin B12 in the mother and excessive infant crying (more than 3 hours a day for more than 3 days a week for more than 3 weeks). The reasons for this are not fully understood but it could be due to the fact that a lack of vitamin B12 and folic acid hinder the foetal development of the nervous system before birth and also that in the first 6 months after birth lack of these vitamins can affect the development of the protective myelin which surrounds the nerve cells and helps them communicate.

Excessive infant crying is also called infant colic and may also be due to B12 deficiency. Excessive infant crying was found to be stronger when the mother experienced high levels of psychological problems so could affect the circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm of the body controls the sleep/wake cycle, the development of which starts in the womb.It also takes about 3 months after birth to settle into a rhythm. As lack of B12 has been seen in people with sleep disorders it is suggested that lack of B12 may the infant circadian rhythm interfere with serotonin melatonin and trigger gut cramps and crying.

The developing baby relies on the mother to provide B12 and if it is deficient in her diet and her stores are too low the baby is likely to be deficient too. B12 is made by bacteria in the gut and meat, fish and eggs the usual source recommended by NHS dietitians.

Plantarians and Vegans maintain there are healthier, safer, more sustainable sources of vitamin B12  that come without the extra calories and detrimental effects of saturated animal fat and natural hormones but with essential fats and a range of useful vitamins, minerals,  anti oxidants and fibre.

Yvonne seems to agree;

I would be cautious in recommending women eat more animal foods as meat and dairy comes along with saturated fats which can hinder the body's use of essential fats which are needed for the baby's brain and nervous system development. Due to the potential levels of toxicity in fish no more than 2 portions a week should be eaten in pregnancy and egg consumption tends to be lower in pregnancy as they can only be eaten fully cooked. If anything this study is a strong argument for basic nutrient testing at the start of women's pregnancies and addressing any deficiencies as well as of course more promotion of either better, more nutritious diets or the need for effective, easily absorbable prenatal supplements.

Vitamin B12 is made by mimicing the human digestive system's ability to produce B12 from yeasts and bacteria in the gut and is then added to a number of foods from breafast cereals and plant milks to fruit juice.

Unfortunately, most natural plant sources of vitamin B12 have been proven to contain biologically inactive vitamin B12 analogues (non absorbable pseudo-vitamin B12) , inadequate for human supplementation.

Algae seems to be the most reliable plant based source of true Vitamin B12 so far. Following a research study in France in 1978 (Greiko et al) scientists in Finland (Rauma et al ) and  Japan (Watanabe et al)  have found true vitamin B12 in Nori and Chlorella (but only non-absorbable pseudo-vitamin B12 in Spirulina) whilst Italian researchers say a strain of Klamath blue green algae appears to be, in a preliminary study, an adequate and reliable source of vitamin B12 in humans (L Baroni et al , published in The International Journal of Vitamin and Nutrition Research 2009)

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B Vitamins help halt Alzheimer’s

FT.com / UK - Vitamin B claim on Alzheimer’s: Save this - as you may not hear this information again.

It's long been known amongst nutritionists of the detrimental effects of elevated homocysteine levels on heart health and the nervous system. It's also known that the solution is simple - putting back the B vitamins that are refined and processed out of the modern diet.

See this trial

Results

A total of 168 participants (85 in active treatment group; 83 receiving placebo) completed the MRI section of the trial. The mean rate of brain atrophy per year was 0.76% [95% CI, 0.63–0.90] in the active treatment group and 1.08% [0.94–1.22] in the placebo group (P = 0.001). The treatment response was related to baseline homocysteine levels: the rate of atrophy in participants with homocysteine >13 µmol/L was 53% lower in the active treatment group (P = 0.001). A greater rate of atrophy was associated with a lower final cognitive test scores. There was no difference in serious adverse events according to treatment category.

Conclusions and Significance

The accelerated rate of brain atrophy in elderly with mild cognitive impairment can be slowed by treatment with homocysteine-lowering B vitamins. Sixteen percent of those over 70 y old have mild cognitive impairment and half of these develop Alzheimer's disease. Since accelerated brain atrophy is a characteristic of subjects with mild cognitive impairment who convert to Alzheimer's disease, trials are needed to see if the same treatment will delay the development of Alzheimer's disease.


The Solution is Too Simple

“The dogma is strong (amongst Alzheimer’s research community) and there is money involved,” said Professor Smith, one of the authors. “If it is not produced by the pharmaceutical companies, you have a hard time getting funded.”

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Food Standards Agency - Arsenic in rice research published

Food Standards Agency - Arsenic in rice research published: Nutritionist warns "the bigger problem is water"

UK Rice Milk Manufacturers Response - FSA Rice and Arsenic Statement

Further to the publication of the Food Standards Information Sheet on arsenic levels in rice products, including rice grains, rice food stuffs and drinks, we confirm that all of our rice drinks have been tested by both the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and an independent laboratory and both testing results are below the legal limits for levels of arsenic in foodstuffs.

The current UK legal limit for arsenic in non-alcoholic beverages is 100 parts per billion 0.1mg/kg). The results of the FSA and independent tests confirmed that none of our products exceeded 20 ppb for inorganic arsenic which is considerably lower than in other foodstuffs.

The European Food Standards Agency (EFSA) is reviewing its advice on arsenic levels, which may result in revised legal limits being set for all food stuff later this year. In the interest of consumer clarity, we had requested that the FSA await the final ruling from EFSA before publishing their statement. We will continue to cooperate with the FSA to ensure the highest level of food safety for our products.

Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston says "Quite frankly this is yet more proof that variety is the spice of life. This could potentially be a problem if your child is only drinking rice milk. The levels measured by the FSA are one 5th of the recommended limits on drinks and that limit is one 10th of the amount allowed in food. The problem is that there are many other potential sources of arsenic in our diets and the problem will ultimately be the cumulative effect.If you are worried a simple hair mineral test can look for potentially toxic minerals building up in the body."


In the UK, there is a general limit of 1 mg/kg (milligram per kilogram) 1,000 parts per billion for arsenic in food 10 times more than is allowed in drinks.


Water contamination with arsenic was flagged as a problem 2 years ago http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6968574.stm The EU has set a maximum limit of 10 micrograms per litre (10 parts per billion) for arsenic in drinking water

The main sources of arsenic poisoning include:
• Contaminated drinking water
• Some ayurvedic medicines and Chinese herbal medicines
• Pesticides
• Herbicides
• Fungicides
• Wood preservatives
• Ceramic enamels
• Paints
• Tobacco (there may be as much as 6 mcg per pack)
• Burning of fossil fuels as arsenic is a contaminant
• From the diet, as organic arsenic from fish and seafood
• In the USA, illicit whiskey ('moonshine')


Arsenic Level in Tap Water --- *Approximate Total Cancer Risk
(in parts per billion, or ppb)- *(assuming 2 liters consumed/day)

0.5 ppb - * 1 in 10,000
1 ppb - * 1 in 5,000
3 ppb - * 1 in 1,667
4 ppb - * 1 in 1,250
5 ppb - * 1 in 1,000
10 ppb - * 1 in 500
20 ppb - * 1 in 250
25 ppb - * 1 in 200
50 ppb - * 1 in 100

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Study on Supplements by Copenhagen University and Cochrane

Foods for Life 100% agree with The Danish University and The Cochrane group's basic premise that the most important factor is a healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables and natural anti-oxidants. Foods for Life however don’t agree that the meta analysis proves supplements are ineffective as a preventative medicine.

Unfortunately the Cochrane Collaboration doesn't make it easy to find out exactly under what grounds so many studies were excluded from its meta review, or exact amounts and quality for the supplements that were taken and in what context and who ultimately funded this meta analysis and why.

Most nutrients work in a complex synergy with each other and when you obtain them through food you obtain a range of other synergistic nutrients such as essential fats, supporting vitamins, minerals and other anti oxidants.

For instance wheat germ, red palm oil, corn, nuts, seeds, avocado, olives, spinach and other green leafy vegetables, Asparagus and Vegetable oils such as corn, sunflower, soybean, and cottonseed are all good sources of vitamin E but come free with many other nutrients.

Vitamin A and selenium are both nutrients that can potentially cause as much damage to health in excess as they can in deficiency.

Vitamin B12 (not part of this study)has been shown to be fatal to some people with a specific medical condition but generally, taken sublingually it can protect life from some conditions.

There is a risk that people taking supplements then excuse themselves of more crucial need to moderate their diet and eat sensibly using a wide variety of fresh foods to supply a broad base range of nutrients such as soluble fibre, essential amino acids and essential fats, and micro nutrients. It’s not logical to assume that any amount of vitamin E taken in isolation would be enough to counterbalance a diet full of saturated animal fat, sugar, salt, caffeine and alcohol which is sadly what so many people rely on in today's society

It's misleading to isolate vitamins and minerals, take them out of normal context and make judgements like this because without ensuring an individual has a nutritional need and the correct levels of supporting nutrients then it could lead to other deficiencies and subsequent problems. It would be very questionable, unusual and strange for a nutritional therapist to just advise taking vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and selenium which is the basis for the Danish University review.

There are always risks with self prescription. A nutrition therapist has to study for a minimum of 3 years and then continually update their knowledge to be granted professional insurance that allows them to practice and advise individual clients on their individual nutritional health needs.

However it's irresponsible to suggest, as the National papers have today, that supplements are bad for you.

Yvonne Bishop-Weston Foods for Life Nutritionists London

More? - "Cochrane study flawed" says Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University

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Victoria Beckham Miracle 48 Hour Diet

Victoria Beckham Miracle 48 hour Diet



Look magazine report that Victoria Beckham has lost an amazing 4lbs in only 48 hours after a cleansing detox and then another 4lbs on her "new" healthy diet. Same diet she was reported to be on a few months ago - (lots of fruit, berries and vegetables such as brocolli and protein from foods such as edamame soy beans)

London Nutritionist from Foods for Life Harley Street clinic says "There's no miracle here - basically these type of detox diets tend to purge your body of water so you can appear to have rapid weight loss. Obviously if you are not eating anything the lack of calories will have an effect as well."

The Nutritionist warns that you have to be very careful with these kinds of diets. The first reason is if you have slow moving digestive system or suffer from constipation (nutritionists expect action 2-3 times a day not 2-3 times a week) then there is a risk you will just recycle any toxins released by a detox diet.

The second reason is that you could induce your body's motabolism to change to cope with a situation of starvation and famine with a sudden change in calories without support . If this happens you could end up putting on more weight more easily than ever before.

As always the London Nutritionist suggests that the best way to sustainable weight loss is to get a personalised weight loss programme from a qualified nutritionist that is tailored to your individual body and it's needs rather than the latest fad, miracle diet or diet pill

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