Vitamin B12 and Senior Moments

As we get older, our bodies don't absorb vitamin B12 as readily as they did during our younger years (B12 is found in animal foods - meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products). And this decreasing absorption may help explain why brain size shrinks with age and seniors develop problems with thinking. Researchers in Chicago checked blood levels of B12 in 121 seniors taking part in the Chicago Health and Aging Project. The investigators also measured vitamin B12 in five metabolites that are considered markers for B12 activity; a protocol, which they said, could give a fuller picture of B12 status. The seniors were asked to complete 17 tests to assess their memory and thinking skills.

More than four years later, the study participants underwent MRIs to measure brain volume and to look for other signs of brain atrophy. The research team found that low levels of B12 in the metabolites were associated with poorer thinking skills and smaller brain volume. Because the study was a small one, the investigators said their results must be confirmed by additional research, and cautioned against making dietary changes based on their results. The study was published in the September 27 issues of Neurology.

My take? It is interesting that these researchers concluded that testing B12 levels in the blood isn't enough to assess its activity in the body, but this is not the first study to associate low levels of B12 with negative changes in brain anatomy and function. A study published in 2008 suggested that seniors with the highest levels of B12 were six times less likely to exhibit brain atrophy than participants whose B12 levels were lower. I recommend that everyone over 50 years of age consume vitamin B12-fortified foods, take a vitamin B12 supplement, or take 50 mcg of B12 as part of a B-complex that contains a full spectrum of B vitamins, including biotin, thiamine, B12, riboflavin and niacin.

Read more »

Make your skin attractive naturally

Will you believe that skin is one of the largest and most complex organs of the human body, containing oil glands, nerves, hair follicles, blood vessels and sweat glands As well as protecting our body from the environment, our skin also regulates our body temperature and helps to fight off infections. It is very useful in preventing us from weather changes. We can easily look after our skin through maintain healthy foods and balanced diet, doing regular exercises and a bit of life style changes helps in protecting ourselves from harmful UV rays, cutting out smoking, drinking plenty of water and ensuring we regularly get a good night's sleep. Lack of a good night's sleep can seriously damage your skin and leave it looking tired. The amount of sleep required varies from person to person but the average person needs between 7 and 8 hours a night.

Skin is typically one of three types: oily, dry, or both. It's usually easy to determine which skin type you have. If you don't know how to tell your skin type, ask a professional. The women in your life will probably be more than happy to help you figure out what kind of skin you have. If you don't feel comfortable asking them, ask for help at a skin care counter in your favorite department store-but beware: this route usually comes with a sales pitch! Knowing the types of skin you have will help you choose the right skin care products for your new routine if you take proper food and maintain your healthy eating atoms in daily life routine. If you buy the wrong product, it can do more harm to your skin than good. Most people also don't realize that drinking plenty of water and exercising regularly also helps their skin. You already know that you are supposed to drink water each day to stay healthy. But water is also good for your skin on the outside as well as the stuff on the inside. If you don't have your daily recommended amount of water, your skin will not be as healthy or moisturized as it should be. Water helps your skin fight the bacteria, toxins and other things that clog your pores by flushing the skin. You also know that exercising regularly will make your body strong and will keep it healthy.

Now must be follow some basic beauty tips for looking after your skin: like that, Ultraviolet (UV) rays are contained within sunlight and are the main cause of skin ageing, and in some cases can lead to skin cancer. It is very important that we all protect ourselves from the sun and take special care with babies and children. You can protect yourself by using sun cream, wearing protective clothing and remaining out of direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day, and 2nd most important thing that reduce of smoking because most of time your skin's natural elasticity by causing a breakdown of collagen. This causes wrinkles to develop and alters the complexion of the skin, making it appear much older than it actually is. The best thing is to stub out the habit for good and Chemist Direct has a range of products and tips to help you quit smoking.

Read more »