Tag Archives: Nutrition

B12 the Powerhouse Energy Vitamin – Try Simplesa Liposomal

Blog, Nutrition, Resources, , , , , , , , ,

Simplesa B12Even when you eat well and have a healthy diet you may still not be getting enough vitamin B12. When you are deficient there are symptoms, health risks, but you can easily address the deficiency with a quality B12 supplement.[1]

What is B12?
One form of Vitamin B12 is Methylcobalamin. It is one of the many B vitamins. Your body needs B12 to facilitate the healthy function of nerve tissue, brain function, and red blood cells.

Vitamin B12 is a powerhouse. Your metabolism wouldn’t run smoothly without it. But B12 isn’t like other vitamins. It’s only found in animal products like eggs, meat, shellfish and dairy. Up to 15% of people don’t get enough B12, and they’re more likely to be vegetarians, have celiac disease or other digestion problems, or be an adult over 50. The signs of vitamin B12 deficiency include exhaustion, rapid heartbeat, brain fog, and other symptoms, says Maggie Moon, RD, a Los Angeles–based nutritionist and owner of Everyday Healthy Eating.[2]

Like all B vitamins, vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. The human body does not store it. Any excess or unwanted amounts are excreted through urine. Structurally, vitamin B12 is the most complicated vitamin. It is also the largest.[3]

Why is Vitamin B12 so Important to our body?
Our bodies need vitamin B12 but do not make it and have to acquire it via proper nutrition and/or supplementation. Vitamin B12 is critical in the production of DNA, nerves, red blood cells, and to carry out other metabolic functions.  An average healthy adult requires approximately 2.4 micrograms a day, which can be an issue if you’re not consuming enough to meet your bodily needs. Some people may have an adequate intake of the appropriate nutrition, but malabsorption prevents them from utilizing it no matter how much they consume.

As a result, vitamin B12 deficiency is relatively common, especially among older people. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey estimated that 3.2% of adults over age 50 have a seriously low B12 level, and up to 20% may have a borderline deficiency.[4]

Do I have a B12 deficiency?
Vitamin B12 deficiency can be slow to develop, causing symptoms to appear gradually and intensify over time. It can also come on relatively quickly. Given the array of symptoms it can cause; the condition can be overlooked or confused with something else. Symptoms may include:

·         strange sensations, numbness, or tingling in the hands, legs, or feet

·         difficulty walking (staggering, balance problems)

·         anemia

·         a swollen, inflamed tongue

·         yellowed skin (jaundice)

·         difficulty thinking and reasoning (cognitive difficulties), or memory loss

·         paranoia or hallucinations

·         weakness

·         fatigue

While an experienced physician may be able to detect a vitamin B12 deficiency with a good interview and physical exam, a blood test is needed to confirm the condition. Early detection and treatment is important. “If left untreated, the deficiency can cause severe neurologic problems and blood diseases,” says Dr. Bruce Bistrian, chief of clinical nutrition at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.[5]

How can I avoid B12 Deficiency?
Simplesa® has just introduced its newest powerhouse supplement and high quality Liposomal Vitamin B12! Not all B12 vitamins are the same, Simplesa Liposomal Vitamin B12 boasts Methylcobalamin, the active form of vitamin B12 that supports brain and nerve health. With other forms of B12 your liver has to convert cyanocobalamin, another form of B12, into methylcobalamin.  Simplesa Liposomal Vitamin B12 is formulated for maximum and rapid absorption.

Simplesa Liposomal Vitamin B12 supports brain and nerve health with increased energy levels by providing methylcobalamin, the only form of vitamin B12 found in the brain.  Simplesa Liposomal Vitamin B12   does NOT contain soy ingredients, and the flavors are completely natural and delicious. The liposomes are gluten-free, alcohol-free, vegan, and tested non-GMO.

Simplesa Liposomal Vitamin B12 Benefit vs. Injectable B12
While injectable B12 is a commonly prescribed treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency, it does have some notable drawbacks. Because vitamin B12 injections are intramuscular, they can be difficult to administer to thin patients. Injections are also known to be painful, which may cause some patients to abandon treatment. Moreover, elderly or disabled patients may have difficulties traveling to a physician’s office for injection administration or affording the treatment if they don’t have insurance to cover it. [6] Additionally, the ease and cost savings is substantial via Simplesa Vitamin B12 as it can be easily self-administered at home and has a pleasant taste. One bottle will provide approximately 60 servings at ½ ml (approx. 3 pumps into the mouth) or 1000 mcg per serving.

Some of the many benefits of Simplesa Liposomal Vitamin B12:

·         Contributes to normal red blood cell formation

·         Supports the nervous system and mental functions

·         Contributes to a normal, healthy metabolism

·         Is essential for a healthy heart

Simplesa Liposomal Vitamin B12 uses natural non-hydrogenated sunflower phosphatidylcholine, derived from non-GMO certified oil.  It undergoes a several-step solvent-free purification and filtration process to ensure the utmost purity. The manufacturing facility is cGMP certified, following the same standards of sanitation and documentation as pharmaceutical companies. Each ingredient has been carefully sourced and tested in-house and by a third-party certified lab. The water is classified as Ultrapure Water, exceeding pharmaceutical grade standards.

For more information or to try our new Simplesa Liposomal Vitamin B12 click here.

[1] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/
[2] http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20924065,00.html
[3] http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/219822.php
[4]  http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/vitamin-b12-deficiency-can-be-sneaky-harmful-201301105780
[5] http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/vitamin-b12-deficiency-can-be-sneaky-harmful-201301105780
[6] http://www.livestrong.com/article/289321-sublingual-vitamin-b12-vs-injectable-b12/

Simplesa Liposomal B12 the Powerhouse Energy Vitamin

Blog, Nutrition, Resources, , , , , , , , ,

Simplesa B12Even when you eat well and have a healthy diet you may still not be getting enough vitamin B12. When you are deficient there are symptoms, health risks, but you can easily address the deficiency with a quality B12 supplement.[1]

What is B12?
One form of Vitamin B12 is Methylcobalamin. It is one of the many B vitamins. Your body needs B12 to facilitate the healthy function of nerve tissue, brain function, and red blood cells.

Vitamin B12 is a powerhouse. Your metabolism wouldn’t run smoothly without it. But B12 isn’t like other vitamins. It’s only found in animal products like eggs, meat, shellfish and dairy. Up to 15% of people don’t get enough B12, and they’re more likely to be vegetarians, have celiac disease or other digestion problems, or be an adult over 50. The signs of vitamin B12 deficiency include exhaustion, rapid heartbeat, brain fog, and other symptoms, says Maggie Moon, RD, a Los Angeles–based nutritionist and owner of Everyday Healthy Eating.[2]

Like all B vitamins, vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. The human body does not store it. Any excess or unwanted amounts are excreted through urine. Structurally, vitamin B12 is the most complicated vitamin. It is also the largest.[3]

Why is Vitamin B12 so Important to our body?
Our bodies need vitamin B12 but do not make it and have to acquire it via proper nutrition and/or supplementation. Vitamin B12 is critical in the production of DNA, nerves, red blood cells, and to carry out other metabolic functions.  An average healthy adult requires approximately 2.4 micrograms a day, which can be an issue if you’re not consuming enough to meet your bodily needs. Some people may have an adequate intake of the appropriate nutrition, but malabsorption prevents them from utilizing it no matter how much they consume.

As a result, vitamin B12 deficiency is relatively common, especially among older people. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey estimated that 3.2% of adults over age 50 have a seriously low B12 level, and up to 20% may have a borderline deficiency.[4]

Do I have a B12 deficiency?
Vitamin B12 deficiency can be slow to develop, causing symptoms to appear gradually and intensify over time. It can also come on relatively quickly. Given the array of symptoms it can cause; the condition can be overlooked or confused with something else. Symptoms may include:

·         strange sensations, numbness, or tingling in the hands, legs, or feet

·         difficulty walking (staggering, balance problems)

·         anemia

·         a swollen, inflamed tongue

·         yellowed skin (jaundice)

·         difficulty thinking and reasoning (cognitive difficulties), or memory loss

·         paranoia or hallucinations

·         weakness

·         fatigue

While an experienced physician may be able to detect a vitamin B12 deficiency with a good interview and physical exam, a blood test is needed to confirm the condition. Early detection and treatment is important. “If left untreated, the deficiency can cause severe neurologic problems and blood diseases,” says Dr. Bruce Bistrian, chief of clinical nutrition at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.[5]

How can I avoid B12 Deficiency?
Simplesa® has just introduced its newest powerhouse supplement and high quality Liposomal Vitamin B12! Not all B12 vitamins are the same, Simplesa Liposomal Vitamin B12 boasts Methylcobalamin, the active form of vitamin B12 that supports brain and nerve health. With other forms of B12 your liver has to convert cyanocobalamin, another form of B12, into methylcobalamin.  Simplesa Liposomal Vitamin B12 is formulated for maximum and rapid absorption.

Simplesa Liposomal Vitamin B12 supports brain and nerve health with increased energy levels by providing methylcobalamin, the only form of vitamin B12 found in the brain.  Simplesa Liposomal Vitamin B12   does NOT contain soy ingredients, and the flavors are completely natural and delicious. The liposomes are gluten-free, alcohol-free, vegan, and tested non-GMO.

Simplesa Liposomal Vitamin B12 Benefit vs. Injectable B12
While injectable B12 is a commonly prescribed treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency, it does have some notable drawbacks. Because vitamin B12 injections are intramuscular, they can be difficult to administer to thin patients. Injections are also known to be painful, which may cause some patients to abandon treatment. Moreover, elderly or disabled patients may have difficulties traveling to a physician’s office for injection administration or affording the treatment if they don’t have insurance to cover it. [6] Additionally, the ease and cost savings is substantial via Simplesa Vitamin B12 as it can be easily self-administered at home and has a pleasant taste. One bottle will provide approximately 60 servings at ½ ml (approx. 3 pumps into the mouth) or 1000 mcg per serving.

Some of the many benefits of Simplesa Liposomal Vitamin B12:

·         Contributes to normal red blood cell formation

·         Supports the nervous system and mental functions

·         Contributes to a normal, healthy metabolism

·         Is essential for a healthy heart

Simplesa Liposomal Vitamin B12 uses natural non-hydrogenated sunflower phosphatidylcholine, derived from non-GMO certified oil.  It undergoes a several-step solvent-free purification and filtration process to ensure the utmost purity. The manufacturing facility is cGMP certified, following the same standards of sanitation and documentation as pharmaceutical companies. Each ingredient has been carefully sourced and tested in-house and by a third-party certified lab. The water is classified as Ultrapure Water, exceeding pharmaceutical grade standards.

For more information or to try our new Simplesa Liposomal Vitamin B12 click here.

[1] https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/
[2] http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20924065,00.html
[3] http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/219822.php
[4]  http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/vitamin-b12-deficiency-can-be-sneaky-harmful-201301105780
[5] http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/vitamin-b12-deficiency-can-be-sneaky-harmful-201301105780
[6] http://www.livestrong.com/article/289321-sublingual-vitamin-b12-vs-injectable-b12/

Metabolic Support and ALS

Blog, Deanna Protocol, malnutrition, Nutrition, Supplements, weight management, , , , , ,

As children we grew up with our parents and teachers telling us how important eating well was to our health.  Our bodies are delicately balanced between nutrition and energy. When we are ill, our body often requires additional energy or that metabolic relationship may become damaged.  Some diseases or their symptoms can cause or contribute to the metabolic imbalance.  In ALS, as the disease progresses, this imbalance can lead to “malnutrition, common with progression of disease, muscle strength and breathing capacity due to weakening as well as increase the relative risk of death.”[1]

A recent study was released in June 2016 which examined the relationship between nutrition status and the progression of ALS.  The study was “Association between estimated total daily energy expenditure and stage of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in ALS patients” and it wanted to “investigate the relationship between total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) and progression of disease in ALS patients and sex differences in TDEE.”[2]   The highlights of the study were:

●Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) decreased with progression of ALS.
●Energy intake of ALS patients was not sufficient as compared with TDEE.
●Nutrition support should be started before stage 3 of ALS.

370 ALS patients’ TDEE were evaluated and followed in regard to resting energy expenditure (REE) and physical activity.  The results were that the TDEE decreased as the ALS progressed.  The study suggests:

that TDEE decreases with progression of ALS, and patients consume insufficient energy compared with required intake at all stages, particularly at stage 3, suggesting that nutrition support should be started at least prior to stage 3. Additionally, among the five equations for TDEE, TDEE 2 could be the best for evaluating the nutritional status of ALS patients.[3]

Previous studies and articles have examined the relationship between energy intake (nutrition) and ALS before.  In 2014 the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition released the article “Estimating daily energy expenditure in individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.”  Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) experience progressive limb weakness, muscle atrophy, and dysphagia, making them vulnerable to insufficient energy intake. [4]

As with any chronic illness, nutritional support is critical.  The challenge is that the physical symptoms of ALS make energy intake difficult. Proactive and ongoing nutritional support and metabolic balance is important in the overall progression and well-being of the patient.

The study published online “Hypercaloric enteral nutrition in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial” emphasizes the need for a dietary and/or nutritional intervention to offset the metabolic dysfunction PALS experience.

In summary, we believe that our study results provide preliminary evidence for a novel, simple, low-cost, low-risk treatment for this devastating disease. The results of this study also support growing interest in the use of dietary interventions to treat neurological diseases. Our results also support the concept that ALS is a multi-organ systemic disease, characterized by metabolic dysfunction.3   We believe that given the promising results of this pilot study and lack of treatment options for ALS, nutritional interventions should be studied in larger randomized controlled trials at earlier stages of the disease.[5]

Simplesa® offers the metabolic plan called the Deanna Protocol for PALS.  This protocol has been found by many ALS patients to help quality of life and slow progression of the disease.  Additionally, other nutritional supplements are available to offset the metabolic balance and gain or maintain weight in PALS or others with health concerns where adequate nutritional intake is compromised or inadequate.

[1] http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-282X2014000200157

[2] http://www.nutritionjrnl.com/article/S0899-9007(16)30096-X/fulltext

[3] http://www.nutritionjrnl.com/article/S0899-9007(16)30096-X/fulltext

[4]https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262046313_Estimating_daily_energy_expenditure_in_individuals_with_amyotrophic_lateral_sclerosis

[5] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4176708/

Nutritional Challenges for PALS

Blog, Deanna Protocol, weight management, , ,

May is ALS Awareness month, and during this time of raising awareness it is also important to discuss some things that can help PALS with maintaining their quality of life. Nutritional concerns are an issue for anyone facing any disabling disease. Every type of illness impacts people differently and maintenance of nutritional and key vitamin balance is critical for well-being.  The ALS Association wrote an article called “Maintaining Adequate Nutrition: A Continuing Challenge in ALS,” which provides some helpful information on the challenges of getting and maintaining appropriate nutrition and the impact on quality of life for PALS.  Getting adequate nutrition can be hard for even a healthy individual, but for someone with a disabling disease like ALS, who will face the additional issues of difficulty or loss of the ability to swallow, it is life threatening.

Supplements are often recommended by medical providers to help ALS/MND patients get the appropriate nutrition they need. This means getting adequate calories, vitamins and minerals. This is in addition to the ingredients in the Deanna Protocol (DP™ Plan), which have been shown in studies, and reported by many PALS, to improve quality of life.

The DP™ Plan is a natural, drug-free, and inexpensive metabolic program developed for ALS. Scientific studies have proven that the DP™ Plan significantly slows the progression of ALS and extends life span.[1]  The goal of the DP™ Plan is to provide energy to the nerve and muscle cells to prevent them from dying. To do this, the DP™ Plan includes a list of several supplements that are taken in doses throughout the day.   These supplements may be found online by doing an internet search for each supplement individually, or Simplesa® makes products in powder or liquid form and combines several of the supplements into single products. The Winning the Fight website provides very detailed information on how the DP Plan is helping not only ALS patients but is also now being tested and used on others with Neurodegenerative diseases.  Some of the key points in regard to metabolic and nutritional importance of the DP Plan are explained by Winning the Fight®:

Glutamate, ALS, and Cell Death
To understand the basis for the Deanna Protocol® Metabolic Plan, one must first consider the pathology in neurodegenerative conditions in general and ALS specifically. Death of motor neurons spreads throughout the body in individuals with ALS due to glutamate. When cells die, they burst and release intracellular glutamate into the extracellular space. This increase in extracellular glutamate causes neighboring healthy motor neurons to die, to burst, and to release more glutamate into extracellular space, which will kill even more neighboring cells. This so-called storm of glutamate in ALS causes cell death to happen at an exponential rate. (The spread of cell death via excess extracellular glutamate has already been proven in other neurodegenerative conditions, such as traumatic brain injury. It has not yet been proven in ALS research. However, we know that all cells release glutamate when they die and that excess extracellular glutamate kills neighboring cells, regardless of the disease/condition.)

​Dr. Tedone, Winning the Fight’s Medical Liaison, hypothesizes that somehow, the exposure to excess extracellular glutamate in ALS kills neighboring healthy neurons by interrupting the Krebs Cycle in each of them. Dr. Tedone’s hypothesis holds that this Krebs Cycle interruption is a chief cause of cell death. After all, when cells cannot produce energy efficiently, they die.

How the Deanna Protocol® Metabolic Plan Stops Cell Death Caused by Extracellular Glutamate in ALS 
Does the Deanna Protocol® Metabolic Plan (DP™ Plan) neutralize the excess extracellular glutamate in ALS? No. the DP™ Plan focuses on cell metabolism. The DP™ Plan delivers Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) to the Krebs Cycle in the neurons. The increase in AKG enables their mitochondria to produce enough energy to keep cells alive, despite their exposure to an unhealthy amount of extracellular glutamate.  AKG usually does not pass through the cell membranes in normal healthy cells.  Based on our experience, we found that the permeability of the cell membrane in diseased or damaged cells changes and allows AKG to permeate the cells. Due to the fact that AKG only enters diseased cells, the substance only goes where it is needed. [2]

The needs of anyone who has a disabling disease when it comes to nutrition is complex and varies from individual and disease. One common factor is the importance to maintain weight, nutritional balance, and allow the person enough energy to fight the disease and also maintain quality of life. For more information on the Deanna Protocol, please feel free to contact is for additional information.

[1] http://www.winningthefight.org/deanna-protocolreg-metabolic-plan-for-als.html

[2] http://www.winningthefight.org/why-the-deanna-protocolreg-plan-works.html

PALS and Nutrition

Blog, Guest Blog, , , , , , ,

Guest Post by Sarah Martin

SarahMartinMy name is Sarah Martin. I am a junior neuroscience major at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. When I was 14 years old and a sophomore at the Illinois Mathematics
and Science Academy, my principal and close friend, Dr. Eric McLaren, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that
affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Since his diagnosis, I have been
passionate about fighting ALS. I conduct research at universities in the Midwest, attend support groups in the Chicagoland area to meet pALS and their families, blog about my journey to a cure for the disease, speak at schools about ALS and so much more! Dr.
McLaren passed away from ALS in June of 2014, but I have made it my life’s mission to
put an end to this disease. My future plans include earning a doctorate degree,
becoming an ALS researcher, and helping develop an effective treatment for ALS.
The most important part of my ALS work is the people with ALS (pALS). During my time
at ALS support groups, I have learned that because the disease is characterized by
muscle weakness and atrophy, there are a handful of challenges pALS may face in
regards to eating. Difficulties with upper body coordination may make it difficult to
prepare meals. Weakness of tongue and facial muscles may not only make it tough to
safely chew and swallow food, but can also prolong mealtimes. In addition, aspiration of
solids or liquids into the lungs can result in aspiration pneumonia. pALS may experience
a loss of appetite and fatigue which can make eating a difficult task. As ALS progresses
in a person, the amount of calories consumed typically decreases.
Proper nutrition is vital. The human body requires various nutrients to function. Due to
decreased food intake in ALS, it can be difficult to maintain nutritional needs, but there
are nutritionists, dietitians and other experts working to improve the nutritional status of
pALS. In order to maintain the nutritional needs of pALS, tips for safer chewing and
swallowing techniques can be utilized, such as taking smaller bites, eating slowly and
sitting in an upright position while eating. Healthcare professionals can also assist in
making decisions regarding alternate feeding options, such as a feeding tube.
Maintaining the nutritional needs of pALS is important as it can help slow down the
muscle breakdown process and prevent a decrease in weight loss (nutrition-related). It
can also help keep the immune system strong and improve the quality of life for those
with ALS!

For More Information about Sarah Martin contact:

Sarah’s Mission
A woman on a mission to end ALS/MND/Lou Gehrig’s disease
Follow my journey at www.sarahmartinals.com
missionsarahs@gmail.com