Vitamins and End of Summer Energy Drop Possibly about “B” Complex

Since this area had 104 degree temps and week of higher temperatures than Florida was having, I thought it would be a good idea to post something about  the physical reaction to extreme heat and how extreme perspiration can deplete vitamins from the system -

Heat waves, outdoor sports, during an active summer can result in a post season slump because of a B vitamin deficiency.  Although this extra hot season created lots of reasons to be tired, I had a hunch that my low energy was more than just normal fatigue.  Usually, I schedule eight hour days, and promise myself some relaxation time.  However, that turns out to be something akin to a split shift.  I had one clear symptom that told me something was amiss with B vitamins.  Apparent symptoms help to pinpoint if this is the case.  What are they?

Though low energy is broad based, and could even be a state of mind caused by excessive worry that drains energy.  Yet, summer weather is suspect for contributing to getting behind in B complex.  The B vitamins are delicate and water soluble. Drinking large amounts of liquid on hot summer days is one thing that can wipe out the store of the energy producing “complex.” Heavy perspiration is a major culprit that flushes out this water soluble, important vitamin.  The B complex is indeed complicated.  Replacing the lost nutrition isn’t always simple. 

Something might be missing in commonly available “B” vitamins sold in the stores: First, the studies that ended prematurely cast a suspicion that to isolate the B complex isn’t a good thing.  The waves of people who took an interest in vitamins curtailed motivation to go ahead with research about B vitamins found in nature. Suspicion was that because these phytonutrients always appeared in the same proportions - maybe they shouldn’t be separated and used as individual components.  And that each individual type of B has the symbiotic function of upholding the others.  It’s sort of like a family that sticks together.  Theoretically, focusing with one element such as niacin, or B12 creates a deficiency in the rest of the individual elements of the complex.

Second, the lining of the stomach must have the right culture to accept B vitamins.   With a good diet hydrochloric acid helps keep a balance. And this equilibrium is a very important precursor to vital mental and physical health.  Without beans and legumes and cultured food products in the diet, it’s possible to disrupt the culture of the stomach lining.  The result is that B vitamin absorption doesn’t happen.

Deficiencies in the B vitamins at the most severe level lead to depression, or even worse, mental illness.  According to nutrition writer, Adelle Davis, even some cases wrongly diagnosed as schizophrenia, have been cured with restoration of this nutrient. A slight deficiency could just show up as general malaise or a case of the blues - one symptom that something’s off in the digestive tract.

A minor deficiency is easy to correct with cultured dairy products like yogurt or keifer.  Sauerkraut is another helper.  Brewer’s yeast tablets have the entire balance of the complex.  Yet, by the time these are processed into pill form, it’s necessary to take them by the handful.  So they are pretty inconvenient.  Brewer’s yeast flakes combine with orange juice or a favorite fruit juice, but the flavor leaves much to be desired.  Some people get accustomed to it, though.  After a while, I eventually acquired a taste for the flavor.  

Severe deficiencies are indicated when there’s a strange burning sensation over the top lip.  Recognition of this lack shows up in lipstick bleed lines.

A long term B deficiency yields symptoms such as people who are cold even during hot weather.  Checking the tongue out in the mirror tells even more.  If the sides of the tongue are cracked or have a bumpy outline, this is clear evidence of a problem.  Vertical lines forming above the upper lip are often associated with growing old, but these lines may not be simply wrinkles - they could be caused by lack of B.

A third situation is that vitamins manufacturers aren’t allowed to produce a full regimen of B vitamins balanced as in nature because of one component that’s been limited by government- folic acid.  It’s possible to overdose on folic acid if a person takes it by the handful, or swallows a whole bottle.  Pregnant women are allowed to have the full gamut of B with a prescription from a doctor.  

Most of what I learned about B vitamins is from information Adelle Davis provides in her book, “Let’s Eat Right to Keep Fit.”  The rest of the proof came with practical application. Davis backs up all of her information with scientific studies and the results. I’ve rarely come across other sources of nutrition information that were as thorough.  Without health insurance, learning about nutrition was a godsend.

Thanks to researching this material, I was able to concentrate on my problem of the low energy, and it was fairly easy to regain normal vitality. Now is the time to harvest and preserve the garden, and soon I‘ll start moving firewood closer to the house.  Luckily, I only needed yogurt and acidophilus capsules to get back to a normally busy life.  

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