Latest news with #B12
NDTV
a day ago
- Health
- NDTV
Tired Before 10 AM? This Desi Haldi-Adrak Chai Might Just Save Your Day
You know the drill. The alarm rings, but instead of springing into action, you are mentally bargaining for "five more minutes". Your limbs feel like they are made of lead, your head is still stuck in dream mode, and even thinking about putting on clothes feels like a chore. Relatable? Welcome to weekday mornings. You have work to do, calls to take, deadlines to chase - and absolutely no time to laze around. That is usually when the search for an energy fix begins. Yes, coffee is the default fix. But what if there is a more natural, kinder option that people have been using for generations? Say hello to turmeric-ginger tea. This humble, golden blend does more than warm your soul - it offers a steady energy boost minus the caffeine jitters. Here is why this homemade morning tea is finding a permanent place in so many kitchens. Also Read: How to Boost Your Energy: 6 Foods You Must Include In Your Diet What Causes Morning Fatigue? | Why You Might Feel Exhausted Even After Sleeping: Still feeling wiped out after 8 hours of sleep? You are not the only one. Morning tiredness is not always about staying up too late or sleeping badly. Nutritionist Lovneet Batra says it might be your body waving a red flag. According to her, here are some major reasons why you might feel completely out of it in the morning: 1. You Might Be Missing Out on Key Nutrients: Your body needs fuel, and not just any fuel. We are talking about crucial vitamins and minerals. If you are short on these, your energy levels could take a serious hit. Iron: Low iron? Your cells are starved of oxygen. Result: you feel wiped out. Vitamin B12: This vitamin helps produce energy and carry oxygen. A deficiency can leave you feeling like you have run a marathon before breakfast. Vitamin D: Helps power up your cells' energy factories. Low levels can mean low energy and poor stamina. 2. Your Hormones Might Be Acting Up: Melatonin, the hormone that manages your sleep cycle, can mess things up if it is out of sync. When melatonin is not doing its job right, your sleep might not feel like proper rest, and you wake up feeling foggy and tired. 3. Poor Oxygen And Blood Circulation: When blood and oxygen do not circulate properly, your body builds up toxins and stress. This slows everything down, including your sleep quality, which means fatigue greets you first thing in the morning. Also Read: Watch: 5-Min Till Mawa Ladoo Recipe For Good Immunity, Strong Bones And Loads Of Energy Photo Credit: Pexels Why Haldi-Adrak Chai is the Morning Boost You Did Not Know You Needed: Health Benefits Of Ginger: Ginger is not just a cooking essential - it is also packed with gingerol, a compound known for fighting pain, fever, and bacteria. Then there is zingerone, a strong antioxidant. As per Healing Foods by DK Publishing, these elements help strengthen your immune system, aid digestion, and support a healthier gut. The result? You feel less bloated, more energetic, and ready to take on whatever your day throws at you. Health Benefits Of Turmeric: Consultant nutritionist Rupali Datta says turmeric is loaded with curcumin, a compound famous for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and healing effects. This combination supports immunity, aids digestion, and helps cleanse the liver. All of which makes you feel less sluggish and more switched on in the morning. Also Read: Feeling Tired All The Time? These 5 Drinks May Help Photo Credit: iStock How To Brew This 2-Ingredient Tea That Will Make You Forget Coffee: Step 1: Take half a raw turmeric root and a half-inch piece of fresh ginger. Step 2: Pour one and a half cups of water into a pan and bring it to a boil. Step 3: Lightly crush the turmeric and ginger, toss them into the boiling water, and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes. Step 4: Strain into a cup and sip slowly. Want a touch of sweetness? A little honey works wonders. So, the next time you wake up feeling like you have been hit by a truck, skip the caffeine chaos. This turmeric-ginger tea could be your simple, soothing answer to morning fatigue. Just remember - moderation is key. Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information. Advertisement About Somdatta Saha Explorer- this is what Somdatta likes to call herself. Be it in terms of food, people or places, all she craves for is to know the unknown. A simple aglio olio pasta or daal-chawal and a good movie can make her day. For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube. Tags: Haldi Adrak Chai Turmeric Ginger Tea Tea For Morning Fatigue Show full article Comments
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
How vitamin B12 deficiency may disrupt pregnant women's bodies
Despite living in an age of dietary abundance, vitamin B12 deficiency is on the rise. One major culprit? Our growing reliance on ultra-processed foods (UPFs) – those convenient, calorie-dense and nutrient-poor products that dominate supermarket shelves. While they might fill us up, they're fuelling a global epidemic of 'hidden hunger'. This refers to a lack of essential micronutrients including B12, folate, iron and zinc, even when people consume enough (or too many) calories. It's often invisible but can have long-term consequences, particularly for vulnerable groups like pregnant women, children and the elderly. B12 deficiency in pregnancy, especially in the context of a diet high in ultra-processed foods, can disturb how fat is processed and increase systemic inflammation. This raises the risk of long-term health problems for both mother and baby. Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK's latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. A recent study shed light on how B12 deficiency during pregnancy may disrupt two critical systems in the body: fat metabolism and inflammation – both of which are closely linked to chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Researchers studied fat tissue from 115 pregnant women with low B12 levels, focusing on two types of abdominal fat: subcutaneous (under the skin) and omental or visceral (around the organs). They also examined lab-grown fat cells exposed to different B12 levels and collected samples from women of different body weights. The results were striking. Women with low B12 had higher body weight and lower levels of HDL (the 'good' form of cholesterol). Their fat cells showed increased fat storage, reduced fat breakdown, and impaired mitochondrial function – the energy engines inside our cells. Most concerning, these women's fat tissue released higher levels of inflammatory molecules, suggesting that B12 deficiency might place the body into a constant state of low-grade stress. What sets B12 apart from other vitamins is that it's made exclusively by bacteria and archaea (tiny single-celled organisms similar to bacteria but with important genetic and biochemical differences). Neither plants, animals nor humans can produce B12. Some scientists even speculate that B12 may have formed prebiotically, before life itself began. It shares part of its structure, known as a tetrapyrrole ring, with several other of life's most vital compounds including chlorophyll (for photosynthesis) and heme (for carrying oxygen in our blood). Although heme has typically been seen as the elder of all these molecules, recent evidence suggests B12 might have come first. Its core structure – a tetrapyrrole known as the corrin ring – has been found in bacteria that don't produce heme at all, hinting at even deeper evolutionary roots. Because humans can't make B12, we depend on our diet to get it. Ruminant animals like cows and sheep are able to host B12-producing bacteria in their stomachs and absorb the nutrient directly. We, however, must obtain it from animal-based foods – or from supplements and fortified products. Since plants neither produce nor store B12, vegetarians and vegans are at higher risk of this deficiency unless they supplement regularly. As diets become more processed and less diverse, B12 intake and absorption drops, leading to problems in brain function, metabolism and fetal development. Often, the deficiency isn't spotted until symptoms become serious or irreversible. The takeaway is that we need to pay more attention to micronutrients, not just calories. Ensuring adequate B12 levels, particularly before and during pregnancy, is crucial. That means prioritising whole foods, fruits, vegetables and quality sources of protein, while limiting ultra-processed products. From the primordial soup to the modern dinner plate, vitamin B12 is more than a nutrient – it's a molecular link between our evolutionary past and our future health. Recognising its importance might just be one of the most powerful steps we can take toward a healthier, more informed life. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Adaikala Antonysunil receives funding from DRWF, BBSRC, Rosetrees Trust and Society of Endocrinology.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
New Zealand Farm Dog Genetic Study Shows Top Five Health Risks
Press Release – Pamu Farms The Massey University research team behind the Right Dog for the Job project has so far analysed the DNA of 249 farm dogs, most sourced from Pmu (Landcorp Farming Ltd) farms. The initial tranche of the first genetic study of working farm dogs in New Zealand has uncovered five significant inherited health conditions across the selected huntaway and heading dog populations. The Massey University research team behind the Right Dog for the Job project has so far analysed the DNA of 249 farm dogs, most sourced from Pāmu (Landcorp Farming Ltd) farms. The study looks for genetic variants linked to disease, paving the way for better breeding practices and improved working dog health. 'We have been encouraging our shepherds to get their dogs tested as part of the Right Dog Project,' says Pāmu CE Mark Leslie. 'It's not only good for their breeding decisions, but ultimately building research and development of genetic information about working dogs will contribute to improving the health of farm dogs across the motu.' The study has so far genome-sequenced 130 huntaways, 104 heading dogs, and 15 mixed breeds. Researchers focused on 400 known genetic mutations previously reported in other dog breeds, pinpointing 27 variants present in New Zealand's farm dogs — five of which could lead to serious health issues. The five most notable genetic conditions found include: Vitamin B12 Deficiency (CUBN variant) – Can cause poor growth and health if untreated (6 carriers). Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL) (CLN8 variant) – A severe brain disease leading to loss of movement, seizures, and blindness (21 carriers). Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA (SGSH variant) – A rare neurological disorder affecting huntaways (5 carriers). Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) (SOD1 variant) – A spinal cord disease that can result in progressive mobility loss (46 carriers, 5 affected dogs). Von Willebrand Disease (VWF variant) – A bleeding disorder that makes dogs vulnerable to excessive blood loss (9 carriers, 1 affected dog). Since these conditions are recessive, dogs carrying only one affected gene do not develop the disease. However, if two carriers are bred together, up to 25% of their puppies could be affected. The findings demonstrate the importance of genetic testing working dogs before breeding them, to avoid producing puppies with life-threatening conditions.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Improve Your Thyroid Function Naturally With Tips Readers Swear By
If you've been feeling more tired than usual—even after a good night's sleep—or can't seem to shed stubborn belly fat, your thyroid may be to blame. This small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck plays a big role in energy, metabolism and mood. The good news? Keeping your thyroid healthy and your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in the normal range (0.5 to 5.0 mIU/L) doesn't have to be exhausting. We asked Woman's World readers to share how they improve their thyroid function naturally. While no single thing will 'fix' an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), small, consistent changes in diet and lifestyle can make a big difference in how you feel. Personalized care is key, explains Ailis Marrero, MD, double-board certified family and obesity medicine physician at Paloma Health, a women's health clinic. 'What works for one person may not be ideal for another, so working with a provider to tailor your plan can be incredibly helpful.' The first step to improving your thyroid function is learning how to spot the early symptoms of thyroid problems. Your doctor can then check your thyroid hormone levels with a blood test and recommend appropriate hormone therapy to help manage your condition. What else can help? These natural remedies that Woman's World readers use to keep their own thyroids healthy. Consuming too much processed or refined sugar can lead to more health problems than any other food, says Austin Shuxiao, MD, a board-certified internal medicine physician and founder of PeachIV. He explains that refined sugar causes spikes in blood glucose and insulin, which trigger inflammation and may contribute to autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto's thyroiditis. That's why cutting back on sugar doesn't just support thyroid health—it can also aid weight loss and help manage type 2 diabetes. 'Keeping blood sugar stable also promotes more consistent energy levels, something many people with hypothyroidism struggle with,' adds Dr. Marrero. This is the thyroid nourishing tip that most Woman's World readers practice regularly. Around 34 percent of you said so! Many of you (more than 29 percent!) also shared that taking different B vitamins helps prevent thyroid issues. 'B vitamins are crucial for energy, metabolism and nerve health, all of which are affected in thyroid dysfunction,' says Michelle Sands, ND, founder and CEO of GLOW Natural Wellness. She recommends focusing on these three specifically: B12: Many women with hypothyroidism are deficient in vitamin B12. However, Dr. Sands says it's essential for energy, so replenishing your levels can help combat fatigue and brain fog. The RDA is 2.4 micrograms. B2 (riboflavin): This B vitamin helps support thyroid hormone production. Aim for 1.3-1.5 mg per day. B6: Lastly, Dr. Sands says B6 supports thyroid hormones and can reduce inflammation. Experts say 1.1 mg per day is ideal for women. The gut-thyroid connection is real. 'About 70 percent of the immune system resides in the gut, and imbalances in the gut microbiome (called dysbiosis) may contribute to autoimmune activity, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis,' says Dr. Marrero. Probiotics can help maintain a healthy gut lining and microbial balance, which is why more than 21 percent of Woman's World readers said they take probiotics regularly. This can 'reduce inflammation and enhance nutrient absorption—especially of key minerals like selenium, zinc and iron, which are essential for optimal thyroid function,' she adds. You can take probiotic supplements (Dr. Sands recommends looking for a high-quality, multi-strain version) or find these live microorganisms in fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, kombucha or apple cider vinegar. While a gluten-free diet is necessary for those with Celiac disease, many turn to it for other health benefits, including potentially losing weight and managing thyroid disorders. Gluten tends to trigger immune responses in lymphoid tissue in the gut, which can, in turn, trigger an immune response in the thyroid, explains Dr. Shuxiao. Ultimately, lowering your gluten intake will reduce inflammation in the body and the chance of autoimmune thyroiditis. That said, this is not a one-size-fits-all recommendation and works best when it's guided by symptoms and labs and supervised by a provider. It's important to know that if you're experiencing symptoms like weight gain, fatigue and thinning hair, your thyroid isn't broken—it's responding to dysfunction elsewhere in the body, explains Dr. Sands. It often rebounds well when you remove certain triggers, replenish deficiencies and nourish the system holistically. Dr. Sands recommends a personalized approach that combines nutrition, lifestyle and targeted supplementation changes in addition to any medication your doctor may prescribe. She cautions patients from believing thyroid issues are just a part of getting older. Instead, listen to your body and pay attention to significant shifts in your health. For more thyroid content Feeling Off Lately? Doctors Share the Early Signs of Thyroid Trouble Every Woman Should Know Sneaky Thyroid Symptoms in Women Over 50 That Are Easy to Miss—From Tinnitus to Sparse Brows Castor Oil for Thyroid Health: What Doctors Want You to Know Before Trying the Viral Remedy This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Why you might lack B12: Absorption issues, age & medications
Vitamin B12 deficiency is increasingly common—even among meat-eaters—due to factors like poor absorption and aging.
