Vitamin Bs in mega doses

We live in an achievement-oriented, accelerated and utterly polluted world. Adaptation to all this overstrains human body, as it requires significant excess performance. It is true both physically and mentally, and may be connected to everyday living as well as competitive sports. But it also involves the regeneration and self-defending abilities of the body, as it should recover after increased strains, as well as fight excessive environmental burdens.

Every process necessary for it take place in metabolism. We are talking about breakdown, building, energy producing, defensive and restoring processes. The active agents of food should be broken up sufficiently, and quickly produce energy from them for the functioning of muscles and the nervous system, and build muscles of optimal performance. And in the meantime immune system should ward off the attacks of foreign organisms; detoxification system should neutralize harmful effects of toxins, the natural ones produced during metabolism as well as those which are formed by millions due to irresponsible human activity. But restoring mechanisms should also work effectively, which are destined to restore damaged cells. It is a much debated question that how much these processes can be influenced by vitamin supplementation. Do we need vitamin supplementation at all, and if so, does it make sense to have mega doses for better results?

The above mentioned processes occur by effect of enzymes, which can regulate processes only in presence of some kind of vitamin or mineral (coenzyme). Coenzymes are usually molecules belonging to the B group; therefore we can state that vitamin Bs are among the most important metabolism-regulating substances. Partial or complete deficiency of any of them lead to the development of serious diseases.

B vitamins enter the body with food. It is true that some of them are produced by intestinal bacteria as well, and in small amounts they can be absorbed from the colon, but it is very little, even under normal circumstances. It is a basic rule that body needs vitamin B in an amount that is sufficient for the activation of enzymes necessary for all the substances to be processed as well as for every process to be regulated. However this enzyme amount is much larger than it was in “happy peacetime”, as the material to be processed is much more (it is enough to consider that besides food, there are more than 6 million kinds of substances that bombard our body day by day) but due to their aggressiveness they put an extra burden on detoxifying and eliminating processes. Therefore the physiological minimum vitamin amount determined years before is no lo longer enough. Nowadays it is only sufficient for minimal functioning of physiological processes and to prevent the development of lethal metabolic disorders (minimal defense). However our physiology should work “optimally” – often “maximally” – for effective health preservation and peak achievement, which can be made only by a certain degree of vitamin “oversupply”, in order that every protein that can be turned into enzymes find an activating coenzyme.

This is the explanation why skilled reform dietecians recommend vitamins in mega doses. We should note that – the thing of which many people, many times, even “experts” are afraid – vitamin Bs cannot be overdosed, as being water soluble substances, the excess gets eliminated (that is the reason why modern preparations are formulated with time-released technology, in order vitamins are absorbed evenly during the day, and get not emptied too early.) However “vitamin underdosage” causes unpleasant symptoms (skin, nervous, digestive and immune system symptoms, myasthenia, generally decreased performance).

Besides biochemical reasons, the recommendation of taking mega doses of vitamin has interesting experimental bases as well. Applying large doses beneficial effects may present in the patient that could not have been predicted knowing the physiological functions of the vitamins. The most important effect is the significant analgesic effect in case of neuralgic (accompanied by neuralgic pain) diseases (lumbago, sciatica, shingles, rheumatic bone and muscular pain).

Some words about the most important vitamin Bs, which are included in every modern formula:

Vitamin B1 (thiamin) plays an important role primarily in carbohydrate metabolism. Inadequate thiamin intake results in decreased appetite, myasthenia, neurasthenia, neuritis, edemas, immune disorders, cardiac weakness, reduced performance of athletes. We need more of it in case of a diet rich in carbohydrates, alcohol dependence, intensive sporting and increased stress.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is important for cell respiration. In takes part in protein synthesis, energy production, breakdown and building up of fats, and promotes iron absorption. Its deficiency causes skin inflammations, anemia, immune disorders, nerve damage, and dimness in crystalline lenses. Intensive sporting activity and excessive stress increases the demands.

Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) is also necessary for cell respiration. It participates in energy production, in breakdown and building up of fats. Its deficiency results in a gastrointestinal, nervous disease called “pellagra” which causes skin symptoms. It reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels, protesting from arteriosclerosis and it s consequences (hypertension, infarction, stroke, thrombosis, embolism, renal insufficiency). Experience shows that it is beneficial in case of migraine as well, as it has vasodilatory effects. Intense physical activity increase B3 demands.

Vitamin B4 (folic acid) is one of the vitamins needed for blood formation, it participates in the metabolism of amino acids and nucleic acids, promotes the absorption of iron. Its deficiency causes anemia, general weakness and damage to the fetus as well. Taking contraceptives increase B4 demands.

Vitamin B5 (Panthotenic acid) is crucial for metabolism. Its deficiency causes general metabolic disorders, accompanied by muscles, nerve, skin, gastrointestinal and immune symptoms. It is also known as antistress vitamin, as it plays an important role in the synthesis of the hormone cortisol produced by adrenal glands that coordinates the stress response of the body.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is a molecule of key importance in protein metabolism. As almost every bodily function requires proteins, its complete deficiency would result in general breakdown. Increased protein intake and physical activity increase demands, so athletes and physical workers need more than the average. In case of inadequate intake muscles become weak and deteriorated. It is a natural diuretic and experience shows that in large doses it significantly alleviates migraine and unpleasant symptoms accompanying menstruation (depression, edema, irritability, swollen breasts and headache). It is also known for its effect against oxalate kidney stones.

Vitamin B7 (biotin) participates in carbohydrate and fat metabolism. If it is available in small amounts, the results are skin inflammation and hair loss. It prevents graying, and is also effective in treating baldness. Massive physical strain increases its demand as well.

Vitamin B10 (para-amino-benzoic acid) is needed for blood formation and absorption processes. Its deficiency results in premature graying and eczema.

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is also the vitamin of blood formation. Its deficiency results in anemia, general weakness, symptoms of the nervous system, mood swings, and memory disorders. Vegan diet and taking contraceptives increase the demand.

There are other substances belonging to the B group (choline, inositol), whose liver protecting and fat burning abilities also contribute to the preservation of health and tolerating the excess strain.

Warnings, contraindications, side effects:

• The formula has no known side effects in the recommended dose, but individual sensitivity to its active agent may occur.
• Persons suffering in chronic diseases requiring constant medical supervision should in any case consult their doctor before they start taking the formula.
• The formula colors the urine yellow, which is natural and is due to vitamin B2 being emptied.

White willow bark – and the three musketeers

Inflammation, fever, pain. Three symptoms signaling early if there is something wrong going on in the body, making it possible for us to intervene in time. All of us encounter inflammation, fever and pain in the course of our lives – mostly all the three at the same time and may this “relationship” be superficial or deep, we surely do not find it pleasant.

The underlying cause that the three symptoms – because it is very important that we are talking about symptoms and not causes – present themselves at the same time is that they are all triggered by the substances produced in the same physiological mechanism. Any kind of injury to the cell membranes activates an “intervention” mechanism, which calls our attention to the injury by pain, or induces fever and by starting up inflammation activates the resistance of the body. The warning is often exaggerated, the pain is almost unbearable, the fever is higher than it is necessary for protection and further damage the body, and therefore we should intervene. Consequently the intervention influences all three symptoms. This is the reason why scientists have created a group of active agents called “non-steroid anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs” (NSAID).

As articular and muscular pains, headaches and diseases accompanied by fever or inflammations are extraordinarily frequent the members, of triple effect group of compounds are among the most frequently used drugs.

Their most well-known subgroup is composed by salicylic acid-derivates, which are the most often used substances to date. Unfortunately on the direction leaflet a whole series of side effects are indicated. The most important of them is the irritating effect on the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal system which often causes ulcer development. But tinnitus, vertigo, headache and even albuminuria features among the unpleasant side effects. Moreover asthmatic patients are especially sensitive to salycilates.

Fortunately there is an Aspirin substituting solution, the extract of white willow (Salix alba) bark, a kind of natural Aspirin which is highly effective and has no side-effects. Its active agent is the well-known salicin, which, unlike salicylic acid would not irritate the gastrointestinal system, as it contains salicylic acid in a molecule form (saligenin-glycoside) which is not acidic. Saligenin oxidizes into salicylic acid and exerts its beneficial effects on entering the circulation.

Chinese doctors have used white willow bark for more thousands years as an analgesic. However in Europe it has become widespread only some centuries later. It is an excellent anti-rheumatism, anti-inflammatory, antifebrile and analgesic substance. It is effective against gastric and intestinal catarrh as well as cystitis. It also known for its antihelminthic properties.

The anti-coagulant effects of salycilates are also well-known in medicine, which is realized also by influencing the above mentioned “intervention” process. It prevents the aggregation of platelets, which is significant because blood agglutination usually plays a role in the development of serious diseases (heart infarction, thrombosis, embolism) resulting from tissue oxygen deficiency. Experiences prove that even a mild reduction of this susceptibility is an effective means in the prevention of the mentioned – and feared – diseases.

Suggested use:

• Primarily to reduce chronic inflammations and pains (rheumatism),
• Also to prevent heart infarction, thrombosis and embolism. Its effects are further enhanced if combined with vitamin E and omega 3 fatty acids.

Warnings, contraindications, side effects:

• Herbal formulas usually act more slowly but more permanently than corresponding synthetic preparations, therefore the effects can be experienced only after some days.
• The formula has no known side effects in the recommended dose, but individual sensitivity to its active agent may occur.
• Persons suffering in chronic diseases requiring constant medical supervision should in any case consult their doctor before they start taking the formula.

Dosage: 2-3 capsules every fourth hour