Canavan disease

vineri, 30 noiembrie 2012

Sir Peter Alexander Ustinov ? Renaissance Funny Man

Sir Peter Ustinov was one of Britain's greatest icons and is recognised worldwide as one of the greatest comic actors, dramatist, director, writer of the 20th Century. I thought it would be interesting to write the story of this famous icon from his birth in London on April 26th 1921 to his present day status as a great British Icon.
He was born Peter Alexander Freiherr von Ustinov on April 16, 1921, in Swiss Cottage, London, England. Ustinov was of Russian, German, French, Italian and Ethiopian descent, with ancestral connections to Russian nobility as well as the Ethiopian Royal Family. His grandmother, Magdalena, was daughter of a Swiss military engineer and Ethiopian princess. His father, Iona von Ustinov, also known as "Klop" in Russian and Yiddish, was a pilot in Luftwaffe during the First World War. In 1919 he joined his mother and sister in St. Petersburg, Russia. There he met artist Nadia Benois who worked for the Imperial Mariinsky Ballet and Opera House in St. Petersburg. In 1920, in a modest and discrete ceremony at a Russian-German Church in St. Petersburg, Ustinov's father married Nadia Benois. Later, when she was 7 months pregnant with Peter Ustinov, the couple emigrated from Russia in 1921, in the aftermath of the Communist Revolution. Young Peter Ustinov was brought up in a
multi-lingual family, he was fluent in Russian, French, Italian, and German, and also was a native English speaker. He attended the Westminster College in 1934-37, took the drama and acting class under Michel St. Denis at the London Theatre Studio, 1937-39, and made his stage debut in 1938, in a theatre in Surrey. In 1939, he made his London stage debut in a revue sketch, then had regular performances with Aylesbury Repertory Company. In 1940 he made his film debut in Hullo Fame (1940). From 1942-46 Ustinov served as a private soldier with the British Army's Royal Sussex Regiment, during the Second World War. He was batman for David Niven and the two became life-long friends. Ustinov spent most of his service working with the Army Cinema Unit, where he was involved in making recruitment films, wrote plays, and appeared in three films as actor. At that time he wrote and directed his film, The Way Ahead (1944) (aka.. The Immortal Battalion). Eventually, U
stinov made a stellar film career as actor, director, and writer, appearing in more than 100 film and television productions. He was awarded two Oscars for Best Supporting Actor, one for his role in Spartacus (1960) and one for his role in Topkapi (1964); and received two more Oscar nominations as an actor and writer. During the 1970s he had a slowdown in his career, before making a comeback as Hercule Poirot in Death on The Nile (1978) by director John Guillermin. In the 1980s, Ustinov reprised the Poirot role in several subsequent television movies and theatrical films, such as Evil under the Sun (1982) and Appointment with Death (1988). Later he appeared as a sympathetic doctor in the disease thriller Lorenzo's Oil (1992). Ustinov's effortless style, his expertise in dialectal and physical comedy made him a regular guest of numerous talk shows and late night comedians. His witty and multi-dimensional humour was legendary, and he later published a collection of
his jokes and quotations, summarizing his wide popularity as a raconteur. He was also an internationally acclaimed TV journalist. For one of his projects Ustinov covered over one hundred thousand miles and visited more than 30 Russian cities during the making of his well-received BBC television series 'Peter Ustinov's Russia'. In his autobiographical books, such as 'Dear Me' (1977) and 'My Russia' (1996), Ustinov revealed a wealth of thoughtful and deep observations about how his life and career was formed by his rich multi-cultural and multi-ethnic background. Ustinov wrote and directed numerous stage plays, having success with presenting his plays in several countries, such as his 'Photofinish' had acclaimed staging in New York, London, and St. Petersburg, Russia, starring Elena Solovey and Petr Shelokhonov among other actors. Outside of his film and acting professions, Ustinov served as a roving ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund. He w
as knighted Sir Peter Ustinov in 1990. From 1971 to his death in 2004, Ustinov lived in his own Chteau in the village of Bursins, Vaud, Switzerland, He died of a heart failure on March 28, 2004, in Genolier, Vaud, Switzerland. His funeral service was held at Geneva's historic cathedral of St. Pierre, and he was laid to rest in the village cemetery of Bursins, Switzerland. He was survived by three daughters, Tamara, Pavla, and Andrea, and son, Igor Ustinov.

"I am an international citizen conceived in Russia, born in England, working in Hollywood, living in Switzerland, and touring the World" said Peter Ustinov.
Please visit my Funny Animal Art Prints Collection @ 
My other website is called Directory of British Icons: 
The Chinese call Britain 'The Island of Hero's' which I think sums up what we British are all about. We British are inquisitive and competitive and are always looking over the horizon to the next adventure and discovery. 
Please feel free to vote for my article by scrolling down the page and clicking Stars.
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joi, 29 noiembrie 2012

Scoring System for Plain Chest Radiographs in Patients with Asbestos Related Disease

One interesting study is called, "Methods for the quantitative determination of asbestos and quartz in bulk samples using X-ray diffraction" by M. Taylor - Analyst, 1978, 103, 1009 � 1020. Here is an excerpt: "Procedures are described for the quantitative determination of the asbestos and -quartz contents of bulk samples by use of X-ray powder diffractometry. The method gives satisfactory results for several different types of asbestos and for mixtures of two or more different types. Problems with sample grinding and preferred-orientation effects have been largely overcome. An effective procedure has been developed for grinding samples to a suitable particle size for accurate quantitative work. This procedure works equally well for all the types of asbestos studied and the sample is intimately mixed with the internal standard, nickel (II) oxide, at the same time. A sample press has been designed that enables the same pressure to be applied to each sample when sample holder
s are filled for the diffractometer, giving the same degree of preferred orientation each time. Calibration lines have been calculated for chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite and anthophyllite, and results are given for mixtures containing two or more types of asbestos as well as other commonly occurring minerals.Similar techniques are used to grind samples containing quartz and to mix them with internal standard. Work on both synthetic and real samples is described and results are compared with those obtained by use of an infrared spectroscopic method."
Another interesting study is called, "A new high resolution computed tomography scoring system for pulmonary fibrosis, pleural disease, and emphysema in patients with asbestos related disease." By N A Jarad, P Wilkinson, M C Pearson, R M Rudd - Br J Ind Med 1992;49:73-84. Here is an excerpt: "Abstract - The aim of this study was to describe a scoring system for high resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) scans analogous to the International Labour Office (ILO) scoring system for plain chest radiographs in patients with asbestos related disease. Interstitial fibrosis, pleural disease, and emphysema were scored, the reproducibility and the interobserver agreement using this scoring system were examined, and the extent of the various types of disease was correlated with measurements of lung function. Sixty asbestos workers (five women and 55 men) mean age 59 (range 34-78) were studied. The lungs were divided into upper, middle, and lower thirds. An HRCT score for the extent o
f pleural disease and pulmonary disease in each third was recorded in a way analogous to the International Labour Office (ILO) method of scoring pleural and parenchymal disease on chest radiographs. A CT score for the extent of emphysema was also recorded. Pleural disease and interstitial fibrosis on the plain chest radiographs were assessed according to the ILO scoring system. A chest radiographic score for emphysema analogous to that used for HRCT was also recorded. Two independent readers assigned HRCT scores that differed by two categories or less in 96%, 92%, and 85% compared with 90%, 78%, and 79% of cases for chest radiographs for fibrosis, emphysema, and pleural disease respectively. There was better intraobserver repeatability for the HRCT scores than for the chest radiograph scores for all disorders. Multiple regression analysis showed that scores for interstitial fibrosis, emphysema, and pleural disease on chest radiographs and HRCT correlated to a similar degree
with impairment of lung function."

Another interesting study is called, "Declining Relative Risks for Lung Cancer After Cessation of Asbestos Exposure" by Walker, Alexander M. M.D., Dr. P.H. - June 1984 - Volume 26 - Issue 6. Here is an excerpt: "Abstract All studies that provide follow-up information for workers more than 35 years after initial exposure to asbestos show a declining ratio of observed to expected lung cancer deaths at the end of follow-up. The most parsimonious explanation of this finding is that relative risk for lung cancer begins to decline sometime after cessation of asbestos exposure."
Another interesting study is called, "Scavengers of active oxygen species prevent cigarette smoke-induced asbestos fiber penetration in rat tracheal explants." By A. Churg, J. Hobson, K. Berean, and J. Wright - Am J Pathol. 1989 October; 135(4): 599�603. Here is an excerpt: "Abstract - It was previously shown that rat tracheal explants first exposed to cigarette smoke and then to amosite asbestos take up more asbestos fibers than explants exposed to air and asbestos. To examine the mechanism of this process, the same experimental design was followed but test groups were added in which the asbestos was mixed with catalase or superoxide dismutase, scavengers of active oxygen species, or deferoxamine, an iron chelator that prevents formation of hydroxyl radical. All three agents protected against the cigarette smoke effect. Heat inactivated catalase or superoxide dismutase was not protective. These observations indicate that active oxygen species, probably derived from the ci
garette smoke, play a role in smoke-mediated fiber transport into tracheobronchial epithelia."
If you found any of these excerpts interesting, please read the studies in their entirety. We all owe a debt of gratitude to these researchers for their hard work. <a href="http://iautoblog.com">iAutoblog</a> the premier <a href="http://iautoblog.com">autoblogger</a> software

miercuri, 28 noiembrie 2012

Vinegar: condiment, cleaner - or essence of life?

For most people, that bottle of vinegar sitting on the pantry shelf serves a multitude of purposes. Not only is it a condiment, food preservative, and a general household cleaner, but for many, it's a medicinal wonder. Most often, it's taken for granted, and people only see a bottle of vinegar. However, to scientists studying the origins of life on Earth, acetic acid/vinegar, is thought to have played the key role in biochemical development of the first primitive life forms, and without it, life, as we know it would not exist.
Historical documentation of vinegar's use for dye making, medicinal purposes, invigorating tonics, a condiment, and as a food preservative dates back to the earliest known records. Natural vinegar is produced by the secondary fermentation of the alcohol in wine and is a three to five percent solution of acetic acid in water. Acetic acid is what gives vinegar its distinctive biting taste and aroma. It was probably the first commercially produced acid in the world. Acetic acid in fundamental to our existence, not only from a essential biological standpoint, but also in the production of chemicals, light industry, textiles, pharmaceuticals, printing/dyeing, rubber, pesticides, plastics, photographic chemicals, electronics, and food processing to name a few. In nature, a family of bacteria called acetobacter converts alcohol into acetic acid, and they are the single largest producer of acetic acid to keep Earth's the life machine running. The micro
scopic, acid resistant critters are pervasive in the environment. They thrive in the alcoholic ecological niches of flowers, fruits, water, soil, and in a dormant stage, they're even floating around in the air we breathe. Acetobacter also thrive in the intestines of all living creatures where they are essential to the digestive process and most likely, the major suppliers of acetate to keep our system functioning. According to the widely accepted Wchtershuser's theory on how primitive life forms evolved from the primordial soup, the first organic molecule in the chain of events was acetic acid. He based his theory on the fact that the formation of acetic acid is a primary step in metabolism in most all living things that provides the energy cells use to manufacture all the biological ingredients an organism needs to exist. There is a metabolic activity essential to life called acetylation, and among many other roles the process has in the body, it also plays th
e key role in the repair of DNA. A study published in the 2000 Elsevier publication Cell about DNA repair states: "Data show that cells defective for DNA-break repair capability lack the histone acetylase [acetylation] activity leading to apoptotic machinery breakdown." Acetate hemodialysis is a common therapy for people suffering with kidney failure. In several studies, aside from acetate's buffering effect, it has shown to aid in dialysis by dilating veins, thus increasing the effectiveness of the treatment. One 1987 study on stated: "Acetate provoked vascular dilatation, which was compensated for by a heart rate-dependent increase in cardiac index." Acetic acid is fundamental to the biochemistry of almost all forms of life. It's the foundation for the acetyl/acetate group which is a plays the essential in the Krebs Cycle/Citric Acid cycle. The Krebs Cycle occurs in all plants and animals. The importance of the function lies in the
efficiency with which it captures energy released from nutrient molecules and stores it in a usable form.
In humans and animals, functioning of the Krebs cycle relies on a product produced in our system called Acetyl Coenzyme A created during the synthesis of fatty acids. Another acetate-based enzyme called Acetyl Cholinesterase/AchE is integral to the operation of brain functions and the central nervous system. In fact, there are a number of acetyl-based enzymes that are essential to human/animal life down to the chemical composition of genes. Curiously, when it comes to explaining where the acetate comes from to feed the processes, scientists' explanations seem to be somewhat vague, convoluted, and often, contradictory. However, aside from the metabolic production of acetate by organ functions, large amounts of acetic acid is produced by acetobacter in the intestines which is absorbed into the system; and it would logically appear that that process provides most of the acetate needed. In a 1985 study published in the Journal of Clinical Investiga
tion, Carbohydrate fermentation in the human colon and its relation to acetate concentrations in venous blood, the authors' state: "These studies show that the large intestine makes an important contribution to blood acetate levels in man and that fermentation may influence metabolic processes well beyond the wall of this organ." Several studies suggest that there may be such a thing as an acetate deficiency, and acetate supplementation may be useful in the treatment of Canavan disease, a hereditary, neurodegenerative disorder. In folk medicine, apple cider vinegar is touted as a cure for many health problems such as a host of allergies, sinus infections, acne, high cholesterol, flu, chronic fatigue, candida, acid reflux, sore throats, contact dermatitis, arthritis, and gout. While apple cider vinegar is the traditional choice, the only ingredient of any volume that may have an effect at the dosage recommended (one two tablespoons a day) is
acetic acid. As far as cider vinegar's effectiveness for alleviating gout and arthritis symptoms, the anecdotal (testimonial) evidence is overwhelming. And some studies give credence to the claim; however, they all point to the acetic acid content. The interesting aspect of the cider vinegar is that unlike the parent apple for which, possibly, is the most well researched fruit, there is no research to be about cider vinegar or even plain of vinegar as having any health benefits. To an investigative writer, in light of all the abundant health claims made for cider vinegar, the paucity of research, especially to disprove the claims, evokes a great deal of suspicion the unmistakable aroma of a rat rotting somewhere in the woodwork. It's most unusual not to see volumes of scientific studies into a product that is so entrenched in folk medicine. Both the parochial scientists and naturopaths fail to see the possibility of acetate deficiencies. Maybe, i
t's simply a question of not seeing the forest for the for the [apple] trees.' However, the role of acetate in animal health has been well researched in animal husbandry, and farm animal feedstock is routinely supplemented with either vinegar or acetic acid. However, when realizing that primordial formation of acetic acid is postulated to be responsible for the creation of the first life on earth, and the essential function acetate plays in biochemistry, there has to be something special about vinegar. ### <a href="http://iautoblog.com">iAutoblog</a> the premier <a href="http://iautoblog.com">autoblogger</a> software

marți, 27 noiembrie 2012

Vitamin B12 - Why do we need it?

"If it swims, flies or runs, it has vitamin B12" - Dr Victor Herbert
One of the major nutritional problems that people on a non-meat diet face is the inability to obtain suitable sources of bioavailable vitamin B12. This is particularly worse in those that also do not eat fish and even more pronounces in the strict vegan or lacto-ova group.
Plants do not produce vitamin B12 unless they are contaminated with a vitamin B12 producing microorganism and although the large intestine manufactures a large quantity of vitamin B12, it does not reach the small intestine where is is absorbed.
Therefore, animal protein in the only source of vitamin B12 because as Dr Herbert's quote states "If it swims, flies or runs, it has vitamin B12".
Why do we need vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12, working with folic acid, maintain the myelin sheath around the nerve structures. This insulating sheath stop the electrical impulses from "shorting out" across breaks in the insulation. Multiple sclerosis would have to be the most publicly known form of a disease with decreased myelin, others include; acquired toxic metabolic disorder, HIV Encephalitis, Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy and Canavan Disease.
Vitamin B12 is also responsible for the maintenance of bone marrow which is essential for the production of healthy red blood cells.

Most importantly, vitamin B12 maintains and supports the health of every cell in the body and is a major contributor to the production of DNA and RNA, both essential to cell replication and life itself.
Vitamin B12 is not very effective by itself. For best results, vitamin B6 and folic acid are required as they act synergistically. This is evident when vitamin B12 is involved in the conversion of amino acids into neurotransmitters as without the help of vitamin B6, this would not occur.
Elevated levels of homocysteine (a condition called hyperhomocysteinemia) is responsible for an increase risk of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) which could eventually lead to a heart attack or stroke, and also an increased incidence of blood clots which could also lead to a stroke. A rare genetic condition with the acronym of MTHFR Inhibitor causes increased levels of homocysteine.
Vitamin B12 acts as a methyl donor in the metabolism of homocysteine to a less damaging component called methionine. Vitamins B12, B6 and Folic acid are all involved in the reduction of homocysteine.
Absorption of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is only absorbed in the lower portion of the small bowel or from mucosal lining such as those found in the mouth.
Vitamin B12 is tolerant to high heat for short periods of time and there is very little loss so the best way to cook meat is to pan fry, BBQ or grill. Boiling meat at high temperatures for 45 minutes will result in a 30% loss of vitamin B12.
Unfortunately, taking tablets has little effect on the amount of vitamin B12 that is absorbed as the acids in the stomach and only about 1% of ingested vitamin B12 is actually absorbed. That means you are throwing away 99% of your vitamin B12 supplement which is generally excreted in the urine.
There are two effective methods of obtaining vitamin B12 from sources other than food. These are the painful and expensive injections from the doctor or a sublingual B12 supplement such as that offered by Trivita.
Taking sublingual B12 (with vitamin B6 and folic acid) is the most cost effective and painless way to get a daily dose of these essential vitamins.
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luni, 26 noiembrie 2012

Hereditary Endowments

Hereditary endowments are one of the events that take place during fertilization. The chromosomes in mature male cell contain nearly 40,000 to 60,000 genes and the equal number in a mature ovum, i.e., female cell. Thus the newly produced baby's hereditary endowment contains 80,000 to 1,20,000 genes, each carrying potentials for physical and mental traits. The inherited characteristics of a baby is determined the possible combinations of chromosomes passed from different ancestors on the maternal or paternal side. Thus the union of sperm and ovum means the blending of two distinct hereditary lines will result into newly conceived individual. This baby form its own distinct personality by inheriting characters from parents, grandparents and other more remote ancestors. Though most of the inherited characteristics are influenced by environment, other characteristics like eye color and skin texture are not influenced by environmental conditions. Favorable environ
mental conditions, stimulates genetic prospective while unfavorable environmental conditions throttle this development. Laws of heredity determine what we are to be and what we will do in this world by third or fourth week of our prenatal existence. The genes thus transferred may also carry diseases to progeny also along with them. These disorders may develop either due to suffering of mother from some infection or due to side effect of certain drugs or chemicals or exposure to radiation during pregnancy. Rubella can result in the baby born with a heart defect, mental retardation etc. Other innate problems involve Down's syndrome, hemophilia, sickle cell anemia, Color blindness, Neurofibromatosis, Cystic fibrosis, Celiac disease, Canavan disease to name a few. About an average of 2% babies are born with serious diseases.
The amount of estrogen gradually increases, the lining of the uterus thickens and ovarian follicles devlops in the follicular phase. The egg is released from the potential follicle when Luteinizing Hormone acts on ovary and this is better known as ovulation. Ovulation typically occurs mid-cycle, usually 14th day. Factors Affecting Physical Development The physical development of an individual in their life is greatly affected by hereditary endowments which took place at the time of conception. Hereditary endowments place limits beyond which an individual cannot go. The hereditary endowment is purely a matter of chance; it cannot be controlled by any means. Both environmental and hereditary factors combined together to have a significant effects on physical development of a child. Below are some of the heredity characters that affects physical traits and growth of child: Genes In Heredity Genes are
passed from both the parents to an individual. These Genes carry information about height, weight, skin color, eye color, hair color, cognitive and mental processes through generations. Dominant and Recessive There are always a recessive gene and a dominant gene. The characteristic that will appear physically in front of all is according to the information carried by dominant genes. For instance, if one parent has dark hair and the other has light, the dominant gene will determine the color of the resulting child's hair. Milestones The physical development in children is measured in milestones at specific ages. Physicians use these developmental milestones to gauge the growth of the child. He can monitor if the child is making adequate physical progress or not. Disorders Sometimes an abnormality occurs in the DNA of parents which is carried to offsprings. This abnorma
lity results in physical disorders in a child. The Genetic disorders cause cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and cystic fibrosis, like physical disabilities.
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duminică, 25 noiembrie 2012

Vinegar: condiment, cleaner - or essence of life?

For most people, that bottle of vinegar sitting on the pantry shelf serves a multitude of purposes. Not only is it a condiment, food preservative, and a general household cleaner, but for many, it's a medicinal wonder. Most often, it's taken for granted, and people only see a bottle of vinegar. However, to scientists studying the origins of life on Earth, acetic acid/vinegar, is thought to have played the key role in biochemical development of the first primitive life forms, and without it, life, as we know it would not exist.
Historical documentation of vinegar's use for dye making, medicinal purposes, invigorating tonics, a condiment, and as a food preservative dates back to the earliest known records. Natural vinegar is produced by the secondary fermentation of the alcohol in wine and is a three to five percent solution of acetic acid in water. Acetic acid is what gives vinegar its distinctive biting taste and aroma. It was probably the first commercially produced acid in the world. Acetic acid in fundamental to our existence, not only from a essential biological standpoint, but also in the production of chemicals, light industry, textiles, pharmaceuticals, printing/dyeing, rubber, pesticides, plastics, photographic chemicals, electronics, and food processing to name a few. In nature, a family of bacteria called acetobacter converts alcohol into acetic acid, and they are the single largest producer of acetic acid to keep Earth's the life machine running. The micro
scopic, acid resistant critters are pervasive in the environment. They thrive in the alcoholic ecological niches of flowers, fruits, water, soil, and in a dormant stage, they're even floating around in the air we breathe. Acetobacter also thrive in the intestines of all living creatures where they are essential to the digestive process and most likely, the major suppliers of acetate to keep our system functioning. According to the widely accepted Wchtershuser's theory on how primitive life forms evolved from the primordial soup, the first organic molecule in the chain of events was acetic acid. He based his theory on the fact that the formation of acetic acid is a primary step in metabolism in most all living things that provides the energy cells use to manufacture all the biological ingredients an organism needs to exist. There is a metabolic activity essential to life called acetylation, and among many other roles the process has in the body, it also plays th
e key role in the repair of DNA. A study published in the 2000 Elsevier publication Cell about DNA repair states: "Data show that cells defective for DNA-break repair capability lack the histone acetylase [acetylation] activity leading to apoptotic machinery breakdown." Acetate hemodialysis is a common therapy for people suffering with kidney failure. In several studies, aside from acetate's buffering effect, it has shown to aid in dialysis by dilating veins, thus increasing the effectiveness of the treatment. One 1987 study on stated: "Acetate provoked vascular dilatation, which was compensated for by a heart rate-dependent increase in cardiac index." Acetic acid is fundamental to the biochemistry of almost all forms of life. It's the foundation for the acetyl/acetate group which is a plays the essential in the Krebs Cycle/Citric Acid cycle. The Krebs Cycle occurs in all plants and animals. The importance of the function lies in the efficiency with which it ca
ptures energy released from nutrient molecules and stores it in a usable form.
In humans and animals, functioning of the Krebs cycle relies on a product produced in our system called Acetyl Coenzyme A created during the synthesis of fatty acids. Another acetate-based enzyme called Acetyl Cholinesterase/AchE is integral to the operation of brain functions and the central nervous system. In fact, there are a number of acetyl-based enzymes that are essential to human/animal life down to the chemical composition of genes. Curiously, when it comes to explaining where the acetate comes from to feed the processes, scientists' explanations seem to be somewhat vague, convoluted, and often, contradictory. However, aside from the metabolic production of acetate by organ functions, large amounts of acetic acid is produced by acetobacter in the intestines which is absorbed into the system; and it would logically appear that that process provides most of the acetate needed. In a 1985 study published in the Journal of Clinical Investiga
tion, Carbohydrate fermentation in the human colon and its relation to acetate concentrations in venous blood, the authors' state: "These studies show that the large intestine makes an important contribution to blood acetate levels in man and that fermentation may influence metabolic processes well beyond the wall of this organ." Several studies suggest that there may be such a thing as an acetate deficiency, and acetate supplementation may be useful in the treatment of Canavan disease, a hereditary, neurodegenerative disorder. In folk medicine, apple cider vinegar is touted as a cure for many health problems such as a host of allergies, sinus infections, acne, high cholesterol, flu, chronic fatigue, candida, acid reflux, sore throats, contact dermatitis, arthritis, and gout. While apple cider vinegar is the traditional choice, the only ingredient of any volume that may have an effect at the dosage recommended (one two tablespoons a day) is acetic acid. As far as cider vinegar's effectiveness for alleviating gout and arthritis symptoms, the anecdotal (testimonial) evidence is overwhelming. And some studies give credence to the claim; however, they all point to the acetic acid content. The interesting aspect of the cider vinegar is that unlike the parent apple for which, possibly, is the most well researched fruit, there is no research to be about cider vinegar or even plain of vinegar as having any health benefits. To an investigative writer, in light of all the abundant health claims made for cider vinegar, the paucity of research, especially to disprove the claims, evokes a great deal of suspicion the unmistakable aroma of a rat rotting somewhere in the woodwork. It's most unusual not to see volumes of scientific studies into a product that is so entrenched in folk medicine. Both the parochial scientists and naturopaths fail to see the possibility of acetate deficiencies. Maybe, it's simply a quest
ion of not seeing the forest for the for the [apple] trees.' However, the role of acetate in animal health has been well researched in animal husbandry, and farm animal feedstock is routinely supplemented with either vinegar or acetic acid. However, when realizing that primordial formation of acetic acid is postulated to be responsible for the creation of the first life on earth, and the essential function acetate plays in biochemistry, there has to be something special about vinegar. ### <a href="http://iautoblog.com">iAutoblog</a> the premier <a href="http://iautoblog.com">autoblogger</a> software

sâmbătă, 24 noiembrie 2012

Vitamin B12 - Why do we need it?

"If it swims, flies or runs, it has vitamin B12" - Dr Victor Herbert
One of the major nutritional problems that people on a non-meat diet face is the inability to obtain suitable sources of bioavailable vitamin B12. This is particularly worse in those that also do not eat fish and even more pronounces in the strict vegan or lacto-ova group.
Plants do not produce vitamin B12 unless they are contaminated with a vitamin B12 producing microorganism and although the large intestine manufactures a large quantity of vitamin B12, it does not reach the small intestine where is is absorbed.
Therefore, animal protein in the only source of vitamin B12 because as Dr Herbert's quote states "If it swims, flies or runs, it has vitamin B12".
Why do we need vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12, working with folic acid, maintain the myelin sheath around the nerve structures. This insulating sheath stop the electrical impulses from "shorting out" across breaks in the insulation. Multiple sclerosis would have to be the most publicly known form of a disease with decreased myelin, others include; acquired toxic metabolic disorder, HIV Encephalitis, Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy and Canavan Disease.
Vitamin B12 is also responsible for the maintenance of bone marrow which is essential for the production of healthy red blood cells.

Most importantly, vitamin B12 maintains and supports the health of every cell in the body and is a major contributor to the production of DNA and RNA, both essential to cell replication and life itself.
Vitamin B12 is not very effective by itself. For best results, vitamin B6 and folic acid are required as they act synergistically. This is evident when vitamin B12 is involved in the conversion of amino acids into neurotransmitters as without the help of vitamin B6, this would not occur.
Elevated levels of homocysteine (a condition called hyperhomocysteinemia) is responsible for an increase risk of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) which could eventually lead to a heart attack or stroke, and also an increased incidence of blood clots which could also lead to a stroke. A rare genetic condition with the acronym of MTHFR Inhibitor causes increased levels of homocysteine.
Vitamin B12 acts as a methyl donor in the metabolism of homocysteine to a less damaging component called methionine. Vitamins B12, B6 and Folic acid are all involved in the reduction of homocysteine.
Absorption of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is only absorbed in the lower portion of the small bowel or from mucosal lining such as those found in the mouth.
Vitamin B12 is tolerant to high heat for short periods of time and there is very little loss so the best way to cook meat is to pan fry, BBQ or grill. Boiling meat at high temperatures for 45 minutes will result in a 30% loss of vitamin B12.
Unfortunately, taking tablets has little effect on the amount of vitamin B12 that is absorbed as the acids in the stomach and only about 1% of ingested vitamin B12 is actually absorbed. That means you are throwing away 99% of your vitamin B12 supplement which is generally excreted in the urine.
There are two effective methods of obtaining vitamin B12 from sources other than food. These are the painful and expensive injections from the doctor or a sublingual B12 supplement such as that offered by Trivita.
Taking sublingual B12 (with vitamin B6 and folic acid) is the most cost effective and painless way to get a daily dose of these essential vitamins.
For more information, please visit <a rel="nofollow" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link/5191439']);" href=""></a> <a href="http://iautoblog.com">iAutoblog</a> the premier <a href="http://iautoblog.com">autoblogger</a> software