Sunday, January 13, 2008

The Different Types of B Vitamins


Author: Nicholas Tan
There are a large number of B vitamins that are needed to keep all of the body functions performing properly. All of the B vitamins are essential for a number of different processes.Without sufficient B vitamins the blood supply would not be healthy and this leads to a variety of illnesses and diseases.The brain needs B vitamins to function correctly and the heart also needs B vitamins to stay healthy and prevent heart disease and food is broken down into the various nutrients by B vitamins. In fact, just about every organ and process within the body requires at least one form of the B vitamin.


Thiamin, or B1, is the B vitamin that the body needs to keep all of its cells, especially the nerves, functioning correctly. It is especially important for memory and general mental health and is one of the B vitamins that is required to convert food into energy.


Riboflavin, or B2, is the B vitamin that is essential for releasing the energy from food that has been consumed. Without this B vitamin the body cannot grow or develop properly as red blood cells will not be as healthy as they should be.


Niacin, or B3, is the B vitamin that is involved in over fifty processes, ranging from detoxifying chemicals to making hormones and releasing energy from food.


Pantothenic acid, or B5,works with several other B vitamins fora number of essential processes including breaking down fats,proteins, and carbohydrates into energy and is also the Bvitamin that is needed to form vitamin D, a variety of hormones,and red blood cells.


Pyridoxine, or B6, is the B vitamin that is largely responsible for redistributing the amino acids to create over five thousand proteins that are needed by the body and is also one of the B vitamins needed to form various enzymes.


Biotin, or B7, is one of the B vitamins that are involved in a number of processes within the body, including the breaking down of fats, carbohydrates and proteins into usable energy forms.
Folic acid, or B9, is the essential B vitamin for aiding in cellgrowth and division, especially during pregnancy. This B vitaminis also necessary to make natural chemicals which control the appetite, moods and quality of sleep. It is also the best B vitamin for helping lower the chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke by keeping the arteries open.


Cobalamin, or B12, is one of the B vitamins that is important in the process of converting the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into energy. This B vitamin is also vital in forming the protective covering of nerve cells and to keep red blood cells healthy, and help prevent heart disease.


Monday, September 10, 2007

How to Avoid Stress at work

Statistics don't lie. Research suggests that work related stressis a killer. According to the World Health Organization, 80 to90 percent of all illnesses are either directly or indirectly caused by stress.
In another study, researchers found that more than 50 percent ofemployees would be willing to take a day off work without pay inan effort to feel less stress at work and have more time with their families. Further studies have found that the majority ofstress that people experience at work is directly related towork issues such as time management, deadlines, and dealing withdifficult co-workers. Fortunately, there are action steps thatyou can take on a daily basis to eliminate these stresses.
Here are some tips for relieving work related stress.

Watch what You Eat.

Avoid eating unhealthy snacks. Eating healthy food can increaseyour energy. Reduce Your Caffeine Intake. Drinking lots ofcoffee and sodas can increase your stress levels. If you can'tcut out caffeine beverages completely, try to alternate yourcaffeine intake with healthier beverages or snacks.
Exercise Regularly.
Exercise is a great way to relieve stress, so try to take abrisk 10-minute walk during the day, even if it means a walkaround the office or building. Walking will help to get yourblood moving and give you a mental break from your tasks.

Stretch Your Body.
Stretching helps to relieve stiff muscles, which can holdtension and make you feel more stressed.

Plan Ahead.
Getting up 15 minutes earlier, and packing lunches or laying outclothes the night before, can help create a routine and get youorganized.

Breathe Deeply.
When we are stressed, we have a tendency to take shallowbreaths, which can result in feeling more tension. Start byinhaling deeply through the nose for a count of 4, and thenexhaling slowly for a count of 8. This helps to release toxinsthrough your breath. Concentrate on your counting and breath.

Get a Good Nights Sleep.
Be sure you are getting enough sleep at night. Not feelingrested can add to your stress level and make you feel moreoverwhelmed. If you have been experiencing recurring sleeplessnights, consult your physician for guidance.
Do Things You Enjoy.
Try to do something you love every day to give yourselfsomething to look forward to. Most stress arises due to feelingsof life being out of control. By taking time to get yourselforganized, and taking care of yourself, you can begin to gaincontrol and ensure that your workday is as relaxed as possible.

Eliminate Time-Wasters.
Make a list of all the things that currently waste your time andreduce your productivity. These can include things like checkingyour emails, interruptions at your desk, talking too long on thephone, attending meetings, or on a personal level watching TV,getting up late and not prioritizing your day. Then next to eachtime-waster write down what you can do to change that. Then putyour plan into action today!
The end of Work Related Stress
The bottom line in getting rid of stress at work is to do workthat you love. Don't be one of the 80% of people that stay stuckin work they hate. This is the worst thing you could do.
Find out what you're passionate about and then go for it. Ifthat means studying new skills, or finding out more informationabout how to get into your chosen field, then get started now.

To your great life and health!

Mental Health