Warning: Potentially Life Threatening Vitamin Deficiency Affects 25% of Adults

By Dr. Mercola

Vitamin B12 is fittingly known as the energy vitamin, and your body requires it for a number of vital functions. Among them: energy production, blood formation, DNA synthesis, and myelin formation. Myelin is insulation that protects your nerve endings and allows them to communicate with one another.

If you know or suspect you’re vitamin B12 deficient, you’re not alone. Recent studies from the U.S. Framingham trial show one in four adults in the United States are deficient in this vitally important nutrient, and nearly half the population has suboptimal blood levels.

How You Get Vitamin B12 Deficient

Vitamin B12 is present in natural form only in animal sources of food, which is one of the reasons I advise against a strict vegetarian or vegan diet. There are many well-documented cases of blindness and brain abnormalities in strict vegetarians, resulting from vitamin B12 deficiency.

The older you get the more likely you are to have a vitamin B12 deficiency. The two ways you become deficient are through a lack of vitamin B12 in your diet, or through your inability to absorb it from the food you eat.

I recently visited India, which is primarily a vegetarian based culture. Current studies there show about 80 percent of adults are deficient in vitamin B12.

Vegans and Vegetarians

Vitamin B12 deficiency is extremely common in strict vegetarians and vegans. B12 is not readily available in plants, so if you do not eat meat or animal products you are at risk.

Vitamin B12 is found almost exclusively in animal tissues, including foods like beef and beef liver, lamb, snapper, venison, salmon, shrimp, scallops, poultry and eggs.

The few plant foods that are sources of B12 are actually B12 analogs. An analog is a substance that blocks the uptake of true B12, so your body’s need for the nutrient actually increases.

If you are not a vegan/vegetarian, and are including food sources of B12 in your diet and are still deficient in the vitamin, it is likely due to one of the reasons I’ll discuss later in this report.

Why Vitamin B12 is So Important for Your Health

Vitamin B12, also known by the scientific name cobalamin, is water-soluble. Unlike other water-soluble vitamins, B12 doesn’t exit your body quickly in urine. It is stored in your liver, kidneys and other body tissues. As a result, a deficiency may not show itself for a number of years, depending on your diet and your body’s ability to efficiently absorb B12.

This time lag is a serious concern, because after about seven years of B12 deficiency, irreversible brain damage can result.

Vitamin B12 is a powerhouse micronutrient for a whole host of reasons. Your body needs B12 for:

• proper digestion, food absorption, iron use, carbohydrate and fat metabolism
• healthy nervous system function
• promotion of normal nerve growth and development
• help with regulation of the formation of red blood cells
• cell formation and longevity
• proper circulation
• adrenal hormone production
• healthy immune system function
• support of female reproductive health and pregnancy
• feelings of well-being and mood regulation
• mental clarity, concentration, memory function
• physical, emotional and mental energy

As you can see from this list, your B12 level impacts a number of very important systems in your body — everything from your DNA to how happy you feel. If you think you might be deficient in this vitamin, you need to take steps to get your B12 levels into the healthy range.

I’ll discuss the proper test to determine your B12 blood level as well as the latest information on what constitutes a healthy range a little later in this article.

Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

If you don’t have adequate vitamin B12 levels in your bloodstream, you might notice some of the following warning signs:

1. mental fogginess
2. problems with your memory
3. mood swings
4. lack of motivation
5. feelings of apathy
6. fatigue and a lack energy
7. muscle weakness
8. tingling in your extremities

One of the most important functions of vitamin B12 is building the myelin which insulates and protects your nerve endings and allows them to communicate with one another.

If you’re B12 deficient and your myelin is depleted, you can experience health problems as widespread as depression, dementia and even symptoms which mimic multiple sclerosis.

Depression

Depression is thought to be linked to a shortage of compounds called monoamines, which are manufactured by your central nervous system. Vitamin B12 helps your body make these compounds. There is also evidence high levels of homocysteine associated with B12 deficiency may promote depression.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s

Research also indicates a B12 deficiency may lead to cognitive problems and reversible dementia in the elderly. This type of treatable dementia differs from Alzheimer’s, however, B12 may play a role in this growing epidemic as well.

A study of over 100 senior volunteers showed older individuals with low levels of vitamin B12 are more apt to suffer from brain atrophy or shrinkage. Brain atrophy is a well-established characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.

Anemia

A lack of vitamin B12 can result in a condition called pernicious anemia. Pernicious anemia is characterized by a lack of healthy red blood cells, and a larger size of existing cells.

Since vitamin B12 helps in the formation of red blood cells, a chronic lack of adequate B12 will naturally affect your body’s ability to create red blood cells, eventually leading to anemia. “Pernicious” was the adjective applied to the often fatal condition back in the days before it was understood to be caused by a lack of vitamin B12.

Left untreated, pernicious anemia can do permanent, serious damage to your body. It can increase your risk for heart problems and strokes. It can damage your nerve cells and affect everything from your balance to your sense of smell. It can also cause changes to the surface of your digestive tract, increasing your risk of stomach cancer.

Sleep Problems

If you have trouble sleeping, it could be due to a lack of melatonin in your system. If you’re a regular reader of my newsletter you know the importance I place on adequate good quality sleep for optimum health.

Melatonin is known as the “sleep hormone” and as you age, your body becomes less efficient at producing this chemical.

B12 plays a crucial role in melatonin production, which is another reason it is important to make sure you’re receiving an adequate amount of this vitamin into your blood.

Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Conditions

Inadequate vitamin B12 levels have been linked to many neurological conditions in addition to dementia and Alzheimer’s, including spinal cord disease and peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral neuropathy is a disease or dysfunction of your peripheral nerves, and can include numbness and tremor, as well as opposite sensations like tingling, pain, itching and pins and needles. Your skin can become hypersensitive to the point where you can’t stand to have anything touching certain areas of your body – clothing and bedding actually cause pain. If your muscles are involved they may feel weak, tired or heavy, and you may experience muscle cramps, tremors, and soreness.

A lack of vitamin B12 might also be implicated in migraine headaches and Parkinson’s disease, both of which are neurological conditions.

Vitamin B12 deficiency has also been linked to psychiatric disorders, which are grouped into the following methods of expression:

1. Mood disturbances … apathy, depression, eating abnormalities, and behavior disturbances which occur specifically at night
2. Hyperactivity … agitation, euphoria, irritability, lack of inhibition, and motor disturbances
3. Psychosis … hallucinations and delusions

Optic neuropathy is another outcome of vitamin B12 deficiency. Long-term, chronic B12 deficiency is known to cause deterioration of the optic nerves, resulting in blindness. This is an irreversible condition.

Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases have a common risk factor – increased homocysteine levels in blood.

Studies show insufficient amounts of folic acid and vitamin B12 can elevate your homocysteine levels, potentially increasing your risk for heart disease and stroke.

Cancer

We know vitamin B12 plays an important role in DNA synthesis, and its presence in your cells, along with folic acid, helps to alleviate the wear and tear on your genetic material. Damage to DNA is a well-known risk factor for cancer.

Low levels of B12 are specifically linked to increased risk for breast and cervical cancer.

How B12 Deficiency Affects Fertility, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Elevated homocysteine levels which result from an inadequate intake of B12 are well-known markers for increased risk of heart problems and stroke. Less known is the fact that high levels of homocysteine are also very dangerous during pregnancy and can lead to complications and birth defects.

Pregnant women with B12 deficiency carry an increased risk of having a baby born with neural tube defects, a class of birth defects affecting the infant’s brain and spinal cord. Spina bifida, which can cause paralysis, is a type of neural tube defect, as is anencephaly, which is fatal.

If you’re planning a pregnancy, it’s absolutely critical to attain a healthy level of vitamin B12 in your blood stream before you conceive. Neural tube defects develop within the first four weeks of fetal life, so if you wait until you’re pregnant to check your B12 levels, it could be too late.

If you’ve had trouble conceiving, or lost pregnancies through miscarriage, you should have your vitamin B12 levels checked. A B12 deficiency has been linked to infertility and repeated miscarriages.

If your diet doesn’t include animal products and you’re breastfeeding, your baby could develop brain abnormalities due to a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Other Reasons You Can Become Deficient in Vitamin B12

Age-Related Insufficient Production of Hydrochloric Acid

The older you get the more your digestive system breaks down, especially if you’ve been following the standard American diet. Specifically, the lining of your stomach gradually loses its ability to produce hydrochloric acid which releases vitamin B12 from your food.

If you’re over 50, it’s safe to assume you are not absorbing vitamin B12 at an optimal level.

Use of Antacids and Anti-Ulcer Drugs

The use of antacids or anti ulcer drugs will also lower your stomach acid secretion and decrease your ability to absorb vitamin B12.

Stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) is a crucial ingredient in your body’s ability to absorb B12. If you’re taking a medication specifically designed to reduce the amount of stomach acid you produce, your body’s ability to use vitamin B12 from the food you eat or the supplements you take will be significantly compromised.

Use of the Drug Metformin©

If you take Metformin© (brand names Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Fortamet, Riomet, Glumetza, and others) for diabetes, the drug may reduce your B12 absorption through interference with the metabolism of calcium in your body. Calcium is another necessary component in your body’s ability to absorb B12.

A recent study indicates that the longer a person with Type 2 diabetes takes Metformin© and the higher the dose, the greater the risk for vitamin B12 deficiency.

Use of Other Medications

Many prescription drugs have the potential to diminish the level of B12 in your system, including:

Coffee Drinkers

According to recent research, if you drink four or more cups of coffee a day you are likely to experience a 15 percent reduction in B vitamins compared to people who don’t drink coffee.

Bacterial Infection

Infection with Helicobacter pylori, a common contributor to stomach ulcers, can also result in vitamin B12 deficiency.

The H. pylori bacteria damage the cells of the stomach which produce intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is a crucial requirement for the absorption of vitamin B12 –I’ll discuss its importance in more detail shortly.

Weight Loss Surgery Patients

If you’ve had gastric bypass surgery, you may be B12 deficient. The surgery often disrupts the mechanisms which aid your body in absorbing vitamin B12 and other vitamins.

Exposure to Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas Anesthesia)

There is ample evidence to indicate exposure to nitrous oxide may destroy B12 reserves.

Nitrous oxide is used by dentists for pain management and in operating rooms as a form of anesthesia. Use of the gas can pose a significant risk to those with existing undiagnosed or untreated B12 deficiency.

Health care workers who are routinely exposed to nitrous oxide are also at risk. And of grave concern is the abuse of the gas by medical personnel, teenagers and young adults who use it for its euphoric effects. This practice can result in severe neurological damage.

Food-Cobalamin Malabsorption Syndrome

The main cause of vitamin B12 deficiency is a term researchers call food-cobalamin malabsorption syndrome. (Remember cobalamin is the scientific term for vitamin B12.)

This condition typically results when your stomach lining loses its ability to produce intrinsic factor, which is a protein that binds to vitamin B12 and allows your body to absorb it into your bloodstream at the end of your small intestine.

The Fundamental Role of Intrinsic Factor in Vitamin B12 Absorption

The key point to understand here is that if your body is not making intrinsic factor, you could swallow vitamin B12 till the cows come home and you simply won’t absorb it.

Part of the reason you require a binding protein like intrinsic factor is that vitamin B12 is a very large molecule. It is actually the largest vitamin we know of. In addition, the way it gets absorbed into your body involves a complex series of events.

Intrinsic factor is a molecule protein made by your stomach. It grabs onto the B12 molecule and together they move through your stomach to your small intestine. When they reach the end of your small intestine, the intrinsic factor is absorbed first, pulling the B12 with it into the cells of your large intestine, where they are absorbed for use by the rest of your body.

Cobalamin (cbl) absorption and metabolic pathway.

(A) Structure of cobalamin (vitamin B₁₂) with a corrin ring bound to a central cobalt atom.

(B) The metabolic journey of cbl from nutrient intake to its intestinal absorption. Endocytic receptors and proteins responsible for vitamin B₁₂ intestinal absorption include cubilin (CUBN), amnionless (AMN), receptor-associated protein (RAP) and megalin (LRP-2). The membrane megalin/transcobalamin II (TCII) receptor complex allows the cellular uptake of cbl. Lysosomal-mediated degradation of TCII and subsequent release of free cbl is essential for vitamin B₁₂ metabolic functions. MS: methonine synthase; THF: tetrahydrofolate; MTHFR: methyltetrahydrofolate reductase; MCM: methylmalonyl coA mutase.

(C)Mutations in genes encoding the IF (GIF), CUBN, AMN, TCII or its receptor provoke defects in cbl absorption and/or cellular uptake which translates into functional cbl deficiency and its clinical manifestations.

If your body doesn’t produce enough stomach acid, then you’re not producing enough intrinsic factor either.

Indigestion, heartburn and gastric reflux disease (GERD) are conditions which normally develop later in life. While symptoms feel like your stomach is making too much acid, in the vast majority of cases, the reverse is true – too little stomach acid is being produced.

To make matters worse, the first thing many people do when they get symptoms of indigestion or heartburn is reach for an antacid, further compromising their ability to produce hydrochloric acid.

Lack of free acid in your stomach interferes with digestion and reduces the amount of nutrients you get from the food you eat.

Since a lack of stomach acid means a lack of intrinsic factor, and since the only way vitamin B12 can be absorbed into your system is through bonding with intrinsic factor molecules, it’s easy to understand why so many people are not getting adequate B12 into their bodies.

This is why vitamin B12 shots are so popular. They bypass absorption problems and put the vitamin directly into your bloodstream.

Testing for B12 Deficiency

Blood tests for vitamin B12 deficiency aren’t as clear cut or helpful as they are for other nutritional deficiencies. Standard tests to assess vitamin B12 concentrations are limited because the clinical severity of vitamin B12 deficiency is unrelated to vitamin B12 concentrations.

Researchers have established the following recommendations to screen for vitamin B12 deficiency:

• If your vitamin B12 concentration is less than 150 pmol/L, you are considered B12 deficient and you and your health care practitioner should take steps to determine the underlying cause(s) and treatment.
• If your B12 concentration is between 150 and 200 pmol/L, your serum MMA (Methylmalonic Acid) level should be determined to identify whether your situation requires more investigation and treatment. Research suggests elevated levels of MMA (a natural compound found in your body) are an indicator for vitamin B12 deficiency.

Getting your B12 and MMA serum levels lab tested is one way to go, especially if you have a compelling reason to have “official” test results.

However, it is probably a more practical approach if you suspect or are concerned you are vitamin B12 deficient, to simply supplement your diet with B12 and see if your symptoms improve.

Vitamin B12 supplementation is completely non-toxic and inexpensive, especially when compared to the cost of laboratory testing. In fact, the first treatment most doctors and other health care experts will suggest upon receiving B12 deficiency lab test results is supplementation with vitamin B12. So again, it is an entirely reasonable approach to try supplementation first to see if your symptoms improve.

Natural Sources of Vitamin B12

One of the best natural sources for vitamin B12 is certain types of seafood. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to buy commercially produced un-contaminated fish, and it is my firm belief the risks associated with mercury laden seafood outweigh its health benefits.

I do not recommend eating most commercially available fish, as it is just too difficult to determine its purity and safety. This is especially true if you’re pregnant or have a growing family, as methyl mercury is highly toxic to the developing brains and nervous systems of infants and children.

Beef and beef liver are also good sources of B12, but keep in mind grass-fed beef is highly preferable to the grain-fed variety.

Chicken is also a natural source of vitamin B12. Organic chicken is the way to go, as conventionally raised chickens may harbor antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

Pork is another source of vitamin B12. It is not a food I recommend, however. Pigs are scavengers and will eat almost anything, making them susceptible to retroviruses and parasites. These bugs have a high probability of making it into pork food supplies, and no amount of cooking can insure they have been killed.

If you must eat pork, your safest bet is to eat the meat of non farm-raised animals, fed organically. However, you should avoid all processed pork products like bacon and sausage.

Regardless of which meat you prefer, keep in mind — how it is cooked can also mean the difference between a nutritious meal and an unhealthy one.

Drinking milk is another way to get vitamin B12. However, avoid pasteurized milk even if it’s organic. The only milk I recommend is raw milk. Look for Certified Grade A milk, produced under government supervision and guaranteed absolutely clean.

Eggs are another source of vitamin B12, and there’s a bonus: eggs are one of the healthiest all-around foods in the world.

Ideally you’ll be able to buy your eggs locally from a free-range pasture farm. Second choice would be to buy free-range organic from the grocery store. Don’t go for the omega-3 added eggs – they are actually less healthy for you than regular eggs.

As with all foods, how you prepare your eggs makes a big difference in their nutritional value. I recommend eating eggs raw, however, if you choose to cook them, soft-boiling is your next best option. Scrambling is the least desirable of all cooking methods, especially if you have high cholesterol.

A Word about Vitamin B12 Fortified Breakfast Cereals

In doing your research on food sources of vitamin B12, you’ll likely find vitamin fortified breakfast cereals on most mainstream lists. I completely disagree with this recommendation.

Vitamin fortified or not, cereals are not a healthy food. The highly processed grains in cereals quickly break down to sugar in your system, and stimulate insulin production. Infants and children also do not fare well eating cereal.

Supplementation: Science Develops a Better Way to Replenish Your B12 Stores

Part of the reason vitamin B12 is so difficult to absorb and requires an additional protein is because it is a massively large molecule when compared with the other vitamins. It is far larger than any other vitamin and requires extraordinary measures to actually push this molecule into your blood.

Since the primary challenge your body faces in absorbing vitamin B12 is the large size of the molecule, a B12 delivery system which shrinks the molecules makes perfect sense.

Science has recently developed a technology that can reduce the effective size of the vitamin B12 molecule and help you absorb this molecule into the fine capillaries under your tongue. The delivery system for these microscopic droplets of vitamin B12 is a fine mist you spray into your mouth.

This delivery system bypasses the intrinsic factor problem and is much easier, safer and less painful than a vitamin B12 shot.

Next Steps

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a potentially life-threatening condition. A best case scenario if you’re B12 deficient is you aren’t in optimal good health, which is always the goal.

To review, if you fall into one of the following categories, you should investigate whether you are B12 deficient:

• You are a vegan or vegetarian
• You are over 50
• You take antacids or anti-ulcer medication
• You take Metformin© for diabetes
• You take other prescription drugs known to deplete your B12 stores (see list above)
• You drink four or more cups a coffee a day
• You have or had an H. pylori bacterial infection
• You’ve had weight loss surgery
• You’ve been exposed to nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
• You suffer from indigestion, heartburn or GERD
• Symptoms or warning signs of a possible B12 deficiency include:
  1. Mental fogginess or problems with your memory
  2. Mood swings, a feeling of apathy or lack of motivation
  3. Fatigue, a lack of energy, muscle weakness, tingling in your arms or legs

If you aren’t getting sufficient B12 in your diet, or you suspect your body isn’t able to efficiently absorb the vitamin, I recommend you begin supplementation immediately with either an under-the-tongue fine mist spray or vitamin B12 injections.

Ensuring your body has adequate B12 can vastly improve the quality of your life today, and prevent debilitating, even life-threatening diseases which result from a deficiency of this all-important nutrient.

If you are suffering from Epstein Barr virus and vitamin B12 deficiency then you would also benefit from working on your health and lifestyle through the e-book “Nature’s Amazing Mononucleosis Cures” by qualified naturopath Elizabeth Noble.

Here’s an excerpt from Dr Mercola’s website www.mercola.com on some strategies used for preventing colds and flu during Epstein Barr.

The most common way cold viruses are spread is from hand-to-hand contact. Cold viruses can also live on pens, computer keyboards, coffee mugs and other objects for hours, so it’s easy to come into contact with such viruses during daily life.

If your immune system is impaired from an infection like Epstein Barr then preventing colds and flu can be an uphill battle.There are many ways this can result, but the more common contributing factors are:

1.Eating too much sugar and too many grains
If you feel yourself coming down with a cold or flu, this is NOT the time to be eating ANY sugar, artificial sweeteners or processed foods. Sugar is particularly damaging to your immune system – which needs to be ramped up, not suppressed, in order to combat an emerging infection.

So if you are fighting Epstein Barr and want to prevent colds and flu then avoid all sugar like the plague, and this includes sugar in the form of fruit juice and even grains (which break down as sugar in your body).

2.Not getting enough rest or sleep

Pay attention to how you are sleeping. If you aren’t getting enough sleep, or enough restorative sleep during Epstein Barr then you’ll be at increased risk for getting a cold or flu. Your immune system is also the most effective when you’re not sleep-deprived, so the more rested you are the quicker you’ll recover.

3.Using insufficient strategies to address emotional stressors in your life
Emotional stress during Epstein Barr can also predispose you to colds and flu. Finding ways to manage daily stress as well as your reactions to circumstances beyond your control will contribute to a strong and resilient immune system.

4.Vitamin D deficiency
Research has confirmed that “catching” colds and flu may actually be a symptom of an underlying vitamin D deficiency. Less than optimal vitamin D levels will significantly impair your immune response and make you far more susceptible to contracting colds, influenza, and other respiratory infections. Getting a daily dose of sunshine is a good start to boosting your vitamin D levels during Epstein Barr so you prevent colds and flu taking hold.

Ideally during a bout of Epstein Barr you must address nutrition, sleep, stress issues and sunshine in order to prevent colds and flu. For further information on Epstein Barr and preventing colds and flu please refer to mercola.com or the e-book “Nature’s Amazing Mononucleosis Cures” by qualified naturopath Elizabeth Noble.

Conventional painkillers can mask painful symptoms however these medications can have undesirable side effects when taken in the long term.

Fortunately there are other ways to deal with chronic pain naturally. Here’s a video of an interview with the actress Jennifer Grey about her 10 year battle with chronic pain and how she has coped.

http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/5949/144885/interview?ic=506011

For further information on natural treatments for chronic Epstein Barr pain please refer to the e-book “Nature’s Amazing Mononucleosis Cures” by qualified naturopath Elizabeth Noble.

So what can you do to avoid the misery of suffering a nasty infection? Firstly it is essential that for glandular fever, colds and flu you keep up a healthy intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, protein foods, whole grains, nuts, seeds and natural oils. Minimise your intake of sugar which is known to suppress immunity. Drinking plenty of pure water, herb teas, green tea and freshly squeezed juices will keep you hydrated and feeling good.

A regular exercise program with a daily dose of sunshine will prime your immune system and lift your spirits. Choose an exercise you enjoy, and aim to do it three to five times a week. If you are already suffering from glandular fever, colds and flu then keep your exercise light – walking, yoga or gentle cycling are good choices.

Infections like glandular fever, colds and flu respond well to immune-boosting nutrients like vitamin C and zinc. Preventative herbs like echinacea and olive leaf extract are also of benefit.

Common sense procedures like washing your hands regularly, keeping your hands away from your face (which can transmit viruses to your nose and mouth) and ensuring good ventilation in your home and work place will optimise your chances of keeping glandular fever, colds and flu at bay and away from other family members and colleagues.

If you come down with an infection, then the best remedy is rest and sleep. Don’t try to struggle on at work or school where you could spread the infection to others. If you have uncomfortable respiratory symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat or cough then try some steam inhalations with added essential oils like eucalyptus or tea tree oil.

If you need further guidance on glandular fever, colds and flu then please have a chat with your health professional. Elizabeth Noble is a qualified naturopath who has written books on immune problems like glandular fever, ear infections and pneumonia. For more information please refer to her e-book “Nature’s Amazing Mononucleosis Cures”. The e-book also comes with personal email support with Elizabeth if you need further guidance

http://www.youtube.com/GetWellFromME

The CFIDS Association estimates that some 800,000 Americans suffer from this debilitating condition, with a mere 16 percent of those with CFS having been diagnosed.

The characteristics of CFS include:

•Extreme fatigue
•Muscle and joint aches and pains
•Muscle weakness
•Chronic headaches
•Swollen glands
•Periodic fevers and chills
•Sore throat
•Numbness and tingling of the extremities
•Inability to cope with any stress
•Cognitive dysfunction
•Insomnia

Viral infections, such as Epstein Barr, cytomegalovirus, and parvovirus, have been seen to produce many of the symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome, so it also seems quite plausible that a mild, long-term gut infection could play a role.

The Yeast Connection

A close cousin of CFS, fibromyalgia, is a similar condition that shares many of the same symptoms. They are often spoken of in the same breath and may indeed be connected. Certainly their similarities, beginning with a shared feeling of profound fatigue make it easy to find a connection between the two.

Both of these conditions appear to be connected to yeast overgrowth, as a significant number of sufferers from these two syndromes find relief when they follow an anti-candida diet and other protocols to address Candida albicans yeast overgrowth.

Dr. William Crook is the single most influential physician that motivated my transition to “alternative” or natural medicine. He was a friend who passed away some five years ago now and was the author of the classic book, “The Yeast Connection.” His great legacy is being carried on at www.yeastconnection.com, where you can find out all the latest insights on how Candida yeast causes problems in your body, and how to alleviate them.

I first tried his theory in 1985 and it failed miserably because I just used the drugs to treat the yeast. About seven years later, I wised up and used dietary changes in addition to antifungals when needed and saw far better results.

So, Exactly What Help is There for CFS?

Some useful strategies include:

•Proper diet according to your nutritional type, to maximize your overall health and physical energy
•Supplements for digestive problems and nausea, including probiotics, digestive enzymes, and ginger
•Effective use of energy psychology tools, such as EFT
•Gentle exercise, such as yoga
•Sleep and rest management
Many people with CFS are highly sensitive to conventional drug therapy and find much more relief taking natural nutrients and from non-invasive therapies.

The Emotional Connection

Eventually I realized that one of the primary reasons that this disease occurred was due to a suppressed immune system from untreated emotional traumas. When I started using technologies like energy psychology, I noted an entirely different level of improvement.

I have long stated that chronic fatigue is related to emotional challenges incurred in early childhood, typically below the age of five. Although clearly there are also other factors involved (as not everyone with childhood trauma develops these problems), I believe it is vital to address the emotional system together with the physical.

Further information on Epstein Barr and CFS can be found at Dr Mercola’s website or through the e-book “Nature’s Amazing Mononucleosis Cures” by qualified naturopath Elizabeth Noble.

• Essential oils. When you have an infection in the sinuses, the use of essential oils like eucalyptus, tea tree, thyme and pine can bring relief. A few drops can be added to a steam inhalation or you can blend one of them in a teaspoon of vegetable oil and massage over your nose, forehead, neck and cheeks.
• Bromelain – an enzyme derived from pineapple, has been shown in studies to relieve inflammation and improve sinusitis symptoms.
• Herbs like echinacea, goldenseal, garlic, fenugreek, horseradish, myrrh, Wild Indigo and Usnea barbata have been particularly useful in treating both Epstein Barr virus and sinus infections.
• Homeopathic remedies for acute sinusitis include Arsenicum album, Kalium bichromium, Nux vomica, and Mercurius iodatas.
• Nasal irrigation or rinses with a saline solution can be helpful in loosening nasal secretions, improving drainage and allowing you to breathe more easily. You can buy nasal irrigation kits or the Indian Neti pot for nasal rinses from a good chemist . Spray saline into each nostril whilst closing off the other nostril and inhaling.
• Hot compresses can bring welcome relief from the pain of sinusitis. Just use a heated wheat bag, hot water bottle or even a washer soaked in hot water, and place over your sinuses.
• Vaporizers or humidifiers can also bring relief by keeping the room around you slightly humid, and making breathing more comfortable.
• Drinking plenty of pure water will also prevent mucous from congesting and blocking the nasal passages. This is an important step in the treatment of both Epstein Barr virus and sinus infections.
• Zinc, Vitamin C and Vitamin A or beta-carotene are natural antioxidants which have a place to play in preventing chronic inflammation of the sinuses and in boosting immunity. These nutrients are essential for an effective Epstein Barr virus and sinus infections treatment plan.

For further information on the natural treatment of Epstein Barr virus and sinus infections please refer to the e-book “Nature’s Amazing Mononucleosis Cures” by qualified naturopath Elizabeth Noble. The e-book comes with 30 days of personal email support if further guidance is required.

Unlike most respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, urinary tract infections are usually caused by a bacteria – typically Escherihia coli (E.coli). The cause of the infection is usually contamination of the vagina or urethra with faeces from the bowel. From there these microbes can travel to the rest of the urinary tract and cause infection.

Apart from immune suppression, other triggers for UTIs can include irritation of the urinary tract from tight clothing, a diaphragm, spermicides, sex, bubble baths, chlorinated pools or even eating foods like spices, coffee, alcohol, citrus, chocolate and bananas.

UTI symptoms can include pain on urination, blood or pus in urine, urgency to urinate, fever and malaise. Some patients find that their urine is cloudy and smells very strong. During glandular fever treatment some symptoms like fever, malaise and fatigue can seem similar to those seen during a UTI.

Here’s some steps I recommend my patients with UTIs follow. These steps can be incorporated safely into a glandular fever treatment plan.

• Drink lots of water and pure cranberry juice. Cranberry juice can stop E.coli from adhering to the walls of the bladder and urinary tract. It is also available in a capsule form and can be even taken as a preventative if you are prone to urinary tract infections.
•  Take an immune boosting supplement with vitamin C. Ascorbic acid, the free form of vitamin C, is a powerful urinary tract bactericide. By increasing the acidity of the urine, urinary tract infections can be curtailed. Vitamin C is also an essential part of glandular fever treatment
•  Eat lots of garlic and parsley which act as antibacterials and diuretics. These foods are also good for glandular fever treatment.
•  If after a few the UTI has not improved, then antibiotics could be considered. It is worthwhile getting a urine sample tested to confirm there is a bacterial infection. During glandular fever treatment, be aware that antibiotics can sometimes trigger a skin rash. 
•  Do not delay emptying the bladder – you need to urinate every two to three hours, and always after intercourse.
•  For women, always wipe yourself from front to back after urination or emptying your bowels.
•  Wear cotton underwear and avoid pantihose.
•  If prone to infections consume lots of natural diuretics like celery, parsley, watermelon, dandelion tea, vegetable juices and salads.
•  Herbs like echinacea and olive leaf are good preventatives. These are also great immune boosters for glandular fever treatment.

There is a lot that natural therapies can offer for the prevention and treatment of UTIs. For further information on natural glandular fever treatment and how to avoid secondary conditions like urinary tract infections please refer to the e-book “Nature’s Amazing Mononucleosis Cures” by qualified naturopath Elizabeth Noble.

Antibiotics for glandular fever can result in nasty side effects including:

A skin rash
Antibiotics during Epstein Barr virus typically cause a skin rash that can last anywhere from a few hours to a couple of weeks. The skin rash can be mild or red, itchy, raised or painful.

Gastrointestinal disturbances
Antibiotics, particularly the broad spectrum ones like tetracycline and amoxycillin, kill off all the bacteria in your system – the good and the bad. The human gastrointestinal tract is filled with millions of different bacteria, including healthy ones like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus. These healthy bacteria help the body digest food and produce B vitamins and metabolites essential for good health.

When all good and bad bacteria are removed when antibiotics for glandular fever are given, then the bad bugs can gain a foothold causing bloating, gas, diarrhoea and abdominal distention. There is also evidence to suggest that disturbances of the intestinal flora can contribute longer term to problems like irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis and bowel cancer.

Thrush and fungal infections
One of the common bad bugs to recolonise the gut after antibiotics for glandular fever are prescribed is Candida. This yeast can turn into a fungal form, and damage the gut wall causing a leaky or porous gut.  This is called “Leaky gut syndrome”. Candida and its waste products can then travel into the blood stream and set up infections elsewhere in the body.

Vaginal thrush is one of the more likely candida infections seen when antibiotics for glandular fever are taken. It causes a curd like vaginal discharge and itchiness in females. Oral thrush can be seen as white patches in the mouth or throat. Skin infections like tinea and athletes foot are also caused by Candida.

Allergies
Some antibiotics, especially the sulphonamides, can cause allergic reactions like rash, fever and diarrhoea. As discussed earlier a skin rash is the typical reaction when antibiotics for glandular fever are given.

Lowered immunity
Patients who are on antibiotics for glandular fever frequently or for prolonged periods of time, can be putting their immune system under pressure. The gastrointestinal tract is the forefront of our immunity. If it has a microbial imbalance or is leaking toxins into the blood stream then the immune system suffers. Although the theory is still controversial, many practitioners believe that chronic overgrowth of yeast due to the overuse of antibiotics may trigger chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and further immune dysfunction.

Growth problems in children
Some antibiotics like the tetracyclines can damage the growing teeth and bones of the foetus and young children. Tetracyclines are absorbed by bones and teeth causing pitting, yellow discolouration and an increased risk of dental cavities if they are taken for a long period.

Conclusion
Antibiotics for glandular fever should not be prescribed unless a serious secondary bacterial infection has developed.  Side effects of taking antibiotics for glandular fever  include a skin rash, gastrointestinal disturbances, thrush and lowered immunity. For further information on alternative treatments for glandular fever please refer to the e-book “Nature’s Amazing Mononucleosis Cures” by qualified naturopath Elizabeth Noble.

Symptoms of a streptococci infection typically include;

• Redness and swelling in throat
• Pain in the throat
• A yellow discharge on the tonsils.
• Coated tongue
• Fever
• Swollen, tender lymph nodes in front of the neck
• Headaches and malaise
• Abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting – particularly in children
• Red rash with small spots under the arms or in the skin creases – often in children

As a general rule, if you have a prominent cough or nasal symptoms, you are more likely to have a viral throat infection like mono, rather than a streptococci throat.

Since symptoms of mononucleosis and strep throat can overlap, it may be hard for a doctor to determine which one you have. If there is some uncertainty, the doctor can do a rapid strep test. This only takes a few minutes to do and can detect up to 90% of streptococci throats. It involves the doctor using a long cotton swab to take some material from the back of your throat. If this is negative but a doctor thinks it may still be a bacterial infection, then they can do a throat swab which is then cultured in a laboratory. Results are available in 24 – 48 hours.

Blood tests like the mono spot test and Epstein Barr antibody tests can confirm if you have mono and in what stage of the illness you are at (initial, recuperating, chronic or relapsing).

If a streptococci infection is diagnosed your doctor will prescribe a 10 day course of antibiotics – usually penicillin or amoxicillin. If you do have streptococci infection, then your symptoms should subside within 2-3 days of taking antibiotics. Even though you may feel better it is important that you finish the whole course of antibiotics as prescribed. Do not return to work or school until you have taken antibiotics for 24 hours and symptoms have subsided.

Mononucleosis and strep throat are both contagious. Streptococci is most common in late autumn, winter and early spring. Both mononucleosis and strep throat are spread by person to person contact through nasal secretions or saliva. If someone you have contact with has mononucleosis and strep throat, then wash your hands well, avoid sharing cups or eating utensils and keep toothbrushes separate. You normally come down with streptococci within 2 – 5 days of contacting it. Mono can take up to several weeks to incubate.

Supporting your immune system with natural therapies will help to shorten the duration of both mononucleosis and strep throat. Here’s some treatments that can help:

• Antibacterial herbs like olive leaf, thyme, sage, myrrh, garlic and wild indigo should be part of your mononucleosis and strep throat treatment protocol.
• Vitamins A and C can help too.
• Zinc taken in a tablet or lozenge form which can be sucked or chewed on has been found to be particularly helpful in soothing the throat in cases of mononucleosis and strep throat
• Some patients attest to the effectiveness of colloidal silver for treatment of these infections.
• You need to get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids and avoid using your voice too much.
• Gargling with warm, salty water and sucking on sugar-free lozenges can ease discomfort.
• Gently massaging your throat with a menthol-based balm like tiger balm or vicks vapour rub can bring some relief. Some patients like to place a warmed heat bag around their neck to ease any pain.

If you have sore throat symptoms, your first step is to get a diagnosis to see whether it is a virus like mono or a bacteria like streptococci. Fortunately natural therapies have a lot to offer both mononucleosis and strep throat. For further information on the natural treatment of mononucleosis and strep throat please refer to the e-book “Nature’s Amazing Mononucleosis Cures” by qualified naturopath Elizabeth Noble.