How to Build Up Your Immune System

One easy way to begin boosting your immunity is to eat foods that are high in probiotics. Eating foods with a high probiotic content can boost your immunity merely because the good bacteria in your body will outnumber the strains of bad bacteria already in or attempting to enter your body. To learn which foods are high in probiotics see our postFoods That Have Probiotic Bacteria

Other foods to help boost your immunity are:

Carrots & Sweet Potatoes - They contain beta-carotene a phytonutrient that increases production of T-cells.

Garlic – Garlic is a powerful immune booster that stimulates the multiplication of infection-fighting white cells, boosts natural killer cell activity, and increases the efficiency of antibody production.

Spinach – Very high in antioxidants that boost the immune system.

Citrus fruits such as kiwi, oranges and lemons – High in Vitamin C which protects against infection. Lemon or apple cider vinegar helps the balance of acid alkali in your body.

Salmon, sardines and tuna – Lots of Omega 3 fatty acids in these fish aid the body to fight infection. Flax seed oil is also high in omega 3 fatty acids.

Zinc - Zinc increases the production of white blood cells that fight infection and increases the number of infection-fighting T-cells. Foods high in Zinc include oysters, wheat germ, roast beef, seeds, dark chocolate, and peanuts.

Selenium - Selenium is full of anti-oxidants and anti-aging enzymes. Foods high in selenium are shellfish, fish – tuna, red snapper, lobster, shrimp, wheat, rice and oat bran, vegetables , brown rice, cottage cheese, chicken (white meat), sunflower seeds, garlic, Brazil nuts.

Foods that are high in protein – can help boost your immune system. If you don’t have enough proteins in your body, you may have a high percentage of carbohydrates in your body and this can cause your pancreas to have to work harder which will stress your immune system.

Water – Because our body is primarily composed of water it is essential to keep the immune system hydrated.

Here are foods that should be on grocery list each week to help boost your immune system:

hot peppers
red & green bell peppers
citrus fruit & strawberries
nuts & seeds
broccoli & cauliflower
kale, mustard, & collard greens
sweet potatoes & butternut squash
red leaf lettuce
garlic
spinach
green tea
wheat germ
dark chocolate
shell fish
cold water fish
canned tuna
brown rice
chicken & lean roast beef
flax seed oil

If you want to get an extra boost of immunity or can’t eat some of the foods recommended due to allergies you might consider taking an immunity supplement

Many herbs are known for their supportive function in maintaining immune system well-being, thereby helping to keep you healthy and strong.

ImmunityPlus
is a 100% safe, non-addictive natural herbal remedy formulated to safely maintain systemic balance and immune system health, without harmful side effects.

With regular use of ImmunityPlus, a sustained balance of normal healthy immune defense should be achieved. While most people respond within 5 – 10 days. In some cases, it may take a little longer for ImmunityPlus to operate in a supportive capacity to natural immunity.

To get more information on ImmunityPlus
and find about related products for pregnant women and children CLICK ON THE BANNER AT THE TOP OR BOTTOM OF THE POST.

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Acid Reflux Remedy

Drugs that reduce stomach acid are among the most frequently prescribed drugs in the United States. Although these drugs can be effective at relieving symptoms like heartburn and abdominal pain, they may have serious long-term side effects.

There are many herbal remedies for acid reflux such as chamomile, meadowsweet, slippery elm, cancer bush, fennel, catnip, angelica root, gentian root, ginger root and other herbs, including aloe and chlorophyll. But many natural cure blogs say that the key to curing acid reflux naturally is in what are called “lifestyle changes.”

Here are some suggested lifestyle changes you can make:

Stop smoking – Smoking relaxes the sphincter muscles that normally prevent stomach acid from reaching the esophagus. It also dries out saliva in the mouth and throat, which normally would neutralize some of the stomach acid and begin the digestive process. Studies have found that smoking increases the risk of developing acid reflux disease, so if you don’t have it already and you smoke, you are much more likely to develop acid reflux.

Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption – Alcohol increases stomach acid. Alcohol also relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus. In particular, alcohol consumption in the evening is believed to lead to more symptoms of night time acid reflux, as well as other health problems.

Change your eating habits – Don’t eat a large meal late in the evening, less than three hours before bedtime. Eat a small meal earlier in the evening.

Stay away from acidic foods – such as meat, dairy, refined grains, refined starches, beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages, hot chocolate or cocoa, or energy drinks.

Eat plenty of raw fruits and vegetables, especially mango and papaya. Stay away from citrus fruit because of the high level of acidity. Consider adding vegetable juice to your diet. Vegetable juice is alkaline and will neutralize the acidity level of your GI (gastro-intestinal) tract. Add 1-2 tablespoons of Aloe Vera juice to an 8 ounce glass of water daily.

Lose weight - Overweight and obese people are much more likely to suffer from acid reflux, including nighttime acid reflux. Losing weight will help with other health problems too such as joint stress, heart disease and high blood pressure.

Avoid tight fitting clothing – At a minimum, tight fitting clothing can increase discomfort, but it may also increase pressure in the abdomen, forcing stomach contents into the esophagus.

If you don’t have acid reflux, a good way to prevent it from happening to you is to reduce your sodium intake. Researchers have found that there was a 70 increased risk of developing acid reflux among those who always used extra table salt daily compared with those who did not.

If you are unsure if what you are experiencing is acid reflux, see our post Symptoms of Indigestion

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Symptoms of Acid Indigestion

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a term used to describe one or more symptoms including a feeling of fullness during a meal, uncomfortable fullness after a meal, and burning or pain in the upper abdomen. Other, less frequent symptoms that may occur with indigestion are nausea and bloating—an unpleasant tightness in the stomach. Nausea and bloating could be due to causes other than indigestion.

Indigestion is common in adults and can occur once in a while or as often as every day. It is estimated that up to 41% of the population have experienced indigestion at some time.

Indigestion can be caused by a condition in the digestive tract such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, cancer, or abnormality of the pancreas or bile ducts. People who suffer from anxiety, depression or emotional issues may have an increased rate of indigestion as well.

Also, the use of drugs can irritate the body’s system and it can increase the indigestion symptoms. Certain types of antibiotics, aspirin and painkillers, thyroid medicines, estrogen and oral contraceptives and steroids have indigestion as a side effect. Sometimes a person has indigestion for which a cause cannot be found. This type of indigestion, called functional dyspepsia, is thought to occur in the area where the stomach meets the small intestine.

Certain eating habits such as eating quickly and gulping down your food can cause indigestion. When you eat fast you often take in too much air which causes belching and bloating.

Sometimes the term indigestion is used to describe the symptom of heartburn, but these are two different conditions. Heartburn is a painful, burning feeling in the chest that radiates toward the neck or back. Heartburn is caused by stomach acid rising into the esophagus and may be a symptom of GERD. A person can have symptoms of both indigestion and heartburn. For help with heartburn cures see our post Dr Oz Heartburn Treatment

Indigestion is rarely that serious and the symptoms can usually be controlled if you change your eating habits, eat foods that promote good digestion such as yogurt and get plenty of water and exercise.

There several natural ways to promote good digestion. Herbal teas such as chamomile, fennel, ginger and peppermint are very soothing to the stomach. A spoonful of honey is said to be one of the most effective treatments for indigestion and sour stomach. You can also combine a tablespoon of lemon juice in a cup of hot liquid and drink thirty minutes before eating to aid in reducing the symptoms of indigestion and heartburn.

If you don’t want to bother with making your own tonic or tea, Native Remedies offers a product that contains: Ginger, Peppermint, Rose-scented geranium and Sweet fennel. DigestAssist comes in fast-acting and convenient drop form, and can be taken as needed to support digestive comfort after meals, helping you to enjoy and get more nutrients out of your food every day! A healthy digestive system is more effective at extracting nutrients from food.

You may also find that a smaller maintenance amount is beneficial for ongoing support, many customers report taking a regular maintenance amount for continued health and well-being.Get more information on Gastronic Dr. and DigestAssist for Acute and Chronic Digestion Problems Click on the banner below to get more information.

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Remove Dark Circles Under Eyes

Dark circles under the eyes may look bad but they do represent a serious health problem. Still though most people do not like the way they look. Dark circles and bags under your eyes are not due to lack of sleep. In many cases it is due to the thinning skin and loss of fat and collagen — common as you age — which makes the reddish-blue blood vessels under your eyes more obvious. For some people dark circles are hereditary and others it may be due to allergies and the resulting nasal congestion.

One of the more effective natural remedies is vitamins. Vitamins can be used topically or orally to get rid of dark circles

The Mayo Clinic recommends getting rid of your dark circles by applying a vitamin-rich cream. A 2004 clinical study conducted by researchers at Tokyo’s Nippon Medical School showed that a topical gel treatment containing vitamins A, C, K and E had moderately effective results in reducing dark circles. The gel, which was applied twice a day, contained 2% vitamin K, 0.1% retinol (Vitamin A), 0.1% vitamin C and 0.1% vitamin E .

Many natural remedy blogs suggest using slices of pumpkin. Pumpkin contains Vitamins A, C, and K, which help to reverse the effect of the dark circles. Place the pumpkin slices over your under-eye area for a few minutes each day.

Vitamin K is also thought to be helpful so eat foods rich in Vitamin K such as brown rice, eggs, oatmeal, wheat, alfalfa, cornmeal, sweet potatoes, liver, soybeans, and milk.

Water retention often causes puffy eyes, which result in dark circles under the eyes. B vitamins help to reduce water retention, Foods rich in the B vitamins are walnuts, yogurt, wild salmon, spinach, and oysters

If you are looking for an eye cream with natural ingredients consider Revitol Eye Cream. Revitol relies not on chemicals but on vitamins and flavanoids. The ingredients are all natural and safe for most skin types.

Revitol Eye Cream is yet another product in the long line of cosmetics by Revitol, one of the best known companies for anti-aging products.

Revitol Eye is a product with natural ingredients that combats not one but THREE of the most aggravating beauty problems…under eye dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles. It contains Niacinamide – A water-soluble Vitamin B complex that helps retain skin moisture. Additionally it has Bisabolol – An ingredient derived from Chamomile that soothes and calms irritated skin; reduces the appearance of puffiness. and Chrysin – A flavonoid that helps reduce the appearance of excess skin pigmentation caused by breakdown of hemoglobin. The final ingredient is N-Hydroxycicinimide whcih reduces the appearance of a pigmentation factor and thus dark circles.

To find out more about using a natural vitamin based cream to get rid of dark circles and under eye puffiness CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW. There are some free trials being offered currently. You can get yourself two completely free jars of the Revitol Eye Cream.

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Recipe for Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

I found this recipe on the Chopra’s Center blog and it sounded so good I wanted to pass it on. They call it ~ Oatmeal Power Cookies. According to the blog they are “filled with nuts, dried fruits, and spices, oatmeal power cookies make an ideal snack for travelers. They are easy to pack, and the combination of protein and complex carbohydrates will give you a steady source of energy on your travels.” You can have them for breakfast or a snack or whenever. The cookies are easy to make, just a matter of mixing the dry ingredients and then the liquid ones and mixing them all together.

You may have a bit of trouble finding mango puree. I finally located it in the frozen section of our grocery store and also found a canned mango puree at a grocery store with a large international section. If you can’t find the puree just take frozen mango chunks and puree them in the blender or food processor.

Makes 24 cookies
Oatmeal Power Cookies
Ingredients

1 cup whole wheat flour or spelt flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup chopped dried fruit or fresh apples
1 cup raisins or currants
1 cup coconut flakes
½ cup almonds or walnuts
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
½ cup mango purée
¼ cup turbinado sugar
½ cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil a cookie sheet and set aside. In a mixing bowl, place the flour, oats, fruit, raisins, coconut, baking soda, cinnamon, and allspice. Combine with a wire whisk. In a separate bowl, whisk together the mango purée, sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla.

Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix well using your bare hands or a spatula. Using a 1-ounce scoop (about ¼ cup), place the cookies on the oiled baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

For another great heart healthy recipe see our postHealthy Recipe for Blueberry Muffins Blueberries are a super food with lots of antioxidants. So you can feel good and know you are improving your health by eating them.

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Benefits of Yoga for Stress Management and Weight Loss

Just finished watching and doing Deepak Chopra, and Tara Stiles Yoga Transformation: Weight Loss & Balance. The DVD is a combination of yoga and meditation to rejuvenate and transform the mind and body in tandem. The DVD has a 50 minute workout and a 15 minute meditation, along with a series of special features highlighting the benefits of yoga and meditation.

I found a blog where they interviewed Tara Stiles and she had some interesting things to say about yoga and weightloss.

She says “I’m hoping we are coming to the end of the calorie counting, diet foods, and the portion control era. Yoga reminds us to pay attention to how we feel whether we are doing a Warrior II or preparing lunch. Diets never work because they work from the outside in. With yoga, you are becoming inspired and neurologically rewired to move towards treating yourself well. Physiological barriers fade and we simply go after what we need to be healthy.” I think she is trying to say that if you really pay attention to what you are eating you are less likely to miss physical cues that you are full. Plus, you remember the experience of eating and are less likely to just keep putting food in your mouth mindlessly.

Deepak Chopra also has some interesting things to say about weightloss on the video. He says the conventional diet does not work. He says the important thing is to be conscious of what you eat. Before you put something in your mouth think whether you are really hungry or just eating to feed an emotional need. I think it is worth watching the video just to hear what Deepak Chopra says about weightloss.

Weight Loss Yoga Workout (50-Minutes):

This is good yoga workout. The poses or moves are not the pretzely, contortionist yoga most people dislike. They are simple to do and she gives you alternatives if the pose is too difficult for you. You just have to listen carefully to make sure you hear which leg or arm she is telling you to move.

Tara Stiles moves you slowly through the workout as opposed to Denise Austin who tends to rush you a bit. Some reviewers say Tara Stiles sounds bored but I think she is just trying to promote a relaxed atmosphere. The workout is a little long for me, so I divided into two 25 minute sessions.

Meditation Practice (15-Minutes):

This is kind of cool if you have never meditated before. Deepak Chopra explains how meditation is just focusing on your breathing and he gives you a very simple way to do it. Then nice music plays while you meditate.

DVD Special Features: This is where Deepak Chopra talks about his philosophy on weight loss and mental health in general. I found it very uplifting to listen to.

Introduction to Meditation (8-Minutes): Open your mind to Deepak’s teachings as he explains the practice of meditation and its advantages

Mindfulness of Food (6-Minutes): Learn the real meaning of hunger and how to enjoy its nutrients, become aware of your body’s needs and eat consciously

The Balance of Yoga (12-Minutes): Deepak introduces viewers to the real meaning of yoga and getting in touch with the deepest part of yourself

Transformation Through Yoga (7-Minutes): Deepak speaks about the importance of inner transformation and taking control of your life through self-awareness

The Breath of Yoga (5-Minutes): Deepak and Tara demonstrate the importance of the breath and consciousness during physical yoga

The Flow of Yoga (4-Minutes): Deepak and Tara expand on the meaning of flow in physical yoga and everyday life by connecting your body, mind and spirit

I got my copy from the local library. It is worth checking to see if you want to purchase it. For more information on meditation see our post Benefits of Meditation

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Does Ginger and Fennel Help the Stomach?

According Deepak Chopra “Ginger tea is a powerful cleansing drink that mobilizes toxins and restore balance to the body. It also benefits the digestive system and helps diminish cravings for sweet and salty foods.” The Chopra Center recommends drinking two to three cups of hot ginger tea every day.

To make one quart of ginger tea:
Chop an unpeeled 2-inch piece of whole ginger into coarse pieces and place in a 2- to 3-quart pot with one quart of purified water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, allowing the tea to simmer for 15 minutes. Strain the tea and store in a thermos bottle or glass jar.

To make one cup of ginger tea:
Take a piece of whole, unpeeled ginger root and grate 1 heaping teaspoon. Stir the ginger into a cup of hot water and let steep for 2 minutes. Strain or let the ginger settle at the bottom of the cup.

Here is another herbal Tonic for digestion I found which uses ginger root.

Ginger-Fennel-Peppermint Tonic (for gas & bloating)

Use 1 teaspoon in a 1/4 cup of warm water before each meal, sipped slowly. You can also take this tonic between meals if you’re feeling gassy, followed by a glass of water.

1 inch piece organic fresh ginger root
1 heaping tablespoon organic fennel seeds
1 heaping tablespoon organic peppermint leaves (or loose peppermint tea)
1 cup raw apple cider vinegar

Roughly chop the ginger root. Put it in the blender with the fennel seeds, peppermint and vinegar. Blend thoroughly. Pour mixture into a clean glass jar with an airtight lid. Seal jar, wrap in a dark towel or cloth and store in a dark, cool cupboard for 2 weeks.

Strain liquid through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer and store the tincture in dark amber bottles with dropper lids, or any dark glass bottle with tight sealing top. Dropper tops are great for ease of use.

If you don’t want to bother with making your own tonic or tea, Native Remedies offers a product that contains: Ginger, Peppermint, Rose-scented geranium, Sweet fennel. DigestAssist comes in fast-acting and convenient drop form, and can be taken as needed to support digestive comfort after meals, helping you to enjoy your food every day! Get more information on Gastronic Dr. and DigestAssist for Acute and Chronic Digestion Problems Click on the banner below to get more information.

For more information on the benefits of ginger see our post Homemade Ginger Ale for Digestion

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Dental Fillings with Mercury in It

The big concern about silver amalgam fillings is the environmental and health impact of their chief ingredient: mercury. Despite the controversy the majority of dentists are still using amalgam fillings.

According to the American Dental Association dentists continue to fill some 50 million teeth with amalgam each year and many of those teeth belong to children.

Mercury, a known neurotoxin, makes up 50 percent (in weight) of amalgam fillings, which also contain silver, copper and tin. The ADA though says the amount of mercury vapor released by the fillings is too little to cause harm.

The FDA ruled in 2009, that amalgam filling were safe for adults and children older than 6. Though there are no long term clinical studies regarding kids younger than 6 or pregnant women and their developing fetuses, the FDA did not have significant concerns regarding these populations.

Still, in response to concerns about its ruling, the FDA convened a panel last December to re-examine the issue and expects to make a new announcement by the end of this year.

Some dentists are concerned about the mercury in amalgam fillings but the governing body for dentists, the American Dental Association does not require dentists to disclose to their patients the mercury content in amalgam fillings. Meaning the ADA doesn’t consider amalgam fillings a big threat to patients.

The worry has to do with the buildup of mercury from vapors over a lifetime. The body is not able to excrete mercury well so it tends to stay in your system for many years. Mercury fillings have been cited as causing Alzheimers, allergies, and many other illnesses though no hard clinical evidence exists to prove these claims.

If you do decide to have your amalgam fillings removed there are other risks such as increased tooth sensitivity, potential future need of a root canal if there’s nerve damage in the process, the increased release of mercury vapors during removal and the cost, which can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. If you have insurance, you can have your dentist tell them you are having them replaced because they are old/worn and the cost will probably be covered.

If you are worried about amalgam fillings, talk to a dentist you trust and see what they have to say. While the FDA says it is okay, you may still be troubled and a discussion with your dentist may help ease your mind.

Holistic dentistry is becoming more popular. Holistic dentists may use less invasive techniques and consider the relationship between dental problems and other parts of your body. If you want to find out more see our post

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Benefits of 15 minute Meditation Every Night

If you can answer yes to one or more of the following questions then meditation would be of great benefit for you:

Are you fearful of change or new experiences?

Are you prone to inappropriate emotional outbursts?

Do you often over react to stressful situations?

Do you suffer from lack of sleep due to restlessness or an overactive mind?

Are you often scattered and unfocused?

Do you have difficulty conveying your thoughts into words effectively?

Do you feel as though your life is lacking direction?

Do you wish you were more creative?

Are you desiring to improve your work performance?

Do you desire to improve your performance in a sport or other recreational activity?

Do you often feel as though you cannot meet the demands of your life do to lack of time or resources?

I had not really considered meditation as a cure for mental health problems until I started reading some of Deepak Chopra’s books. One theme that runs throughout all his writings is the importance of meditation. I got the impression he was saying if you don’t do anything else he recommends do begin meditating. You get the biggest mental health benefit out of meditating.

I had tried it before but had not felt it made a big difference. Dr. Chopra gave a very simple mantra for a person beginning meditation. You simply think the word “so” when you breathe in and “hum” when you breath out and focus on your breathing. Dr. Chopra says you should meditate for 20 minutes twice a day. At first it was hard to calm my mind. My thoughts just kept jumping all over the place but I just kept gently bring myself back to the so-hum and breathing. I have to say it has helped me. I feel much less anxious despite some stressful situations. I sleep better and am less tired during the day.

There is a lot of scientific medicine supporting the benefits of meditation. According to a new brain imaging study by Yale researchers, meditation has been shown to help in variety of health problems, such as helping people quit smoking, cope with cancer, and even prevent psoriasis.

The Yale team conducted functional magnetic resonance imaging scans on both experienced and novice meditators as they practiced three different meditation techniques.

They found that experienced meditators had decreased activity in areas of the brain, which have been implicated in lapses of attention and disorders such as anxiety, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, and even the buildup of beta amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s disease. It did not matter what kind of meditation was being practiced to get the decrease in activity

The meditators were able to stay in this state even when not meditating. Researchers felt that this may mean that meditators have changed their brains to have more present-centered awareness, and less “self”-centered, say the researchers.

Meditation’s ability to help people stay in the moment may be the key to better mental health. The hallmarks of many forms of mental illness is a preoccupation with one’s own thoughts, a condition meditation seems to affect.

Meditating on a regular basis may be the gateway to the path of sustained happiness. It is easy to do and doesn’t cost anything. Why not give it a try?

To learn more about meditation see our post 5 Minute Guided Meditation

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B 12 and Digestion

Several studies have shown that people who supplemented their diets with vitamin b12 shots reported higher energy levels and increased rates of weight loss vs. a control group that took no supplements. Some doctors may say there is no connection between weight loss and B12 but what they overlook is how many people are deficient in B12.

Studies indicate that B12 deficiencies do not correlate with diet (participants with diets high in foods rich in B12 had just as low levels of B12 as those without). It’s not because people aren’t eating enough B12 rich foods but the vitamin isn’t getting absorbed.

Studies conducted by the US Framingham trial reveal that a Vitamin B12 deficiency has been detected in 1 out of 4 Americans.

One possible cause of vitamin B12 deficiency – age. Many people don’t realize it but as they age their risk for a deficiency increases. Two factors that lead to B12 deficiency are an insufficient diet and declining rates of absorption.

The natural process of aging disrupts the digestive tract. This is caused by the cumulative effect of the typical American diet. The stomach lining gradually gets weaker so it can’t produce hydrochloric acid – the agent that “extracts” Vitamin B12 from what you eat.

Also consuming antacids and various remedies for an upset or acid stomach can also be blamed for the body’s inability to integrate Vitamin B12. Bacteria are another leading cause of Vitamin B12 deficiency. One such bacterium is the Helicobactor pylori, which puts the stomach at risk for moderate to serious ulcers, thereby aggravating a person’s deficiency.

Research in the field of nutrition reports that when the stomach lining fails to produce a protein called the intrinsic factor, the vitamin B12 will not bind, which prevents the body from absorbing B 12 via the small intestine.

It is important to make sure you get enough B 12 and that is absorbed properly as it is an effective digestion aid. It allows food to be properly and efficiently absorbed, and it promotes the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.

Additionally B 12 is thought to responsible for more stable moods maintaining excellent memory functions, increased concentration and mental alertness.

For more help with digestive problems see our post Eating for Better Digestion

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