How to Tell if a Vitamin B Deficiency is Responsible for Your Depression

photo credit: mrdonduck

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding depression is that people still believe it's synonymous with sadness, but did you know that low vitamin B intake is a major cause for depression as well?

40% of the population is severely deficient in vitamin B12, according to the USDA.

  
Vitamin B deficiencies share an undeniably strong connection to depression. There have been numerous cases where symptoms of depression significantly improved when the B's were put back into balance.  

If you have depression, you'll want to find out if your vitamin B levels are responsible.

However, before you take a vitamin supplement and expect to be cured, there's something you must know:

If your body doesn't have an abundant, regular supply of each B vitamin, you basically won't benefit much. This is because the B vitamins work in combination with each other, and when you don't get all of them, your body can't absorb the ones you are getting.

This article will discuss how the B vitamins affect your mental health, the signs of vitamin B deficiencies, and exactly what you need to do to reverse the problem.

  *Warning Note: There are many causes of depression, including but not limited to nutrition. Nutritional deficiencies are not the sole cause for everyone's depression. This article is only meant to shed light on one of the causes, and to give you a better understanding of the B vitamins and the role they play in depression.

This Little-Known Herb Kills Candida and Resolves IBS

Sage -- an herb found in most spice cabinets, and the one commonly used to flavor your Thanksgiving dressing -- is a severely under-appreciated medicinal herb and panacea. Perhaps one of its most impressive uses is as a remedy for IBS and candida.

Considering that it's part of the mint family, it should come as no surprise that sage can help soothe the painful symptoms that come with IBS. In fact, some people regard this simple herb as their go-to remedy in times of a flare-up.

Let's start by taking a look at the powerful nutritional profile and properties of sage:

Sage contains over 80 different vitamins and nutrients, including: 

• Vitamins A, C, and K 
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Potassium

 See the entire nutrient profile for sage here.

Properties and Benefits of Sage:

•  Sage is a natural anti-spasmodic, meaning it'll stop those painful GI cramps that are infamous for their ability to double you over for hours on end.

• Sage relieves inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, thanks to the rosmarinic acid content.
  

• Sage has natural anti-fungal and anti-yeast action, which makes it perfect for killing off the excess of candida albicans or "yeast" that affects folks with IBS.

• Sage fights infection, particularly those of the intestines, with anti-bacterial and anti-septic properties. Sage was even found to be effective against staphylococcus aureus, i.e. staph infection.

• Sage is a natural remedy for constipation as it has a mild stimulating effect on digestion.

 Photo credit: Latisha (herbmother)

How Does Sage Kill Candida and Resolve IBS Flare-Ups?

• Sage strengthens Digestion and Treats Stomach Disorders. Sage has been used for centuries as a general tonic to stimulate a weakened digestive system and treat stomach disorders, including stomach hemorrhages.

• Prevents Flare-Ups Caused by Anxiety. Many people suffering from IBS and candida know that any excitement, anxiety, or nervousness can send your symptoms into overdrive in a matter of minutes. Use sage for its ability to help keep excitability, anxiety, and nervousness down. Drinking a tea infused with sage can also help with the headaches most of us nervous IBS'ers keep.

•  Sage tea strengthens a weakened immune system and fatigued body.

How to Use Sage for Relief from IBS and Candida 

Sage is often taken in small doses multiple times a day for  for relentless cases of IBS.

The most popular way to use sage as a medicinal herb is in the form of a tea, although it's also available in easy-to-swallow capsules.

Dosing: According to Whfoods' Food Rating Chart System, a serving of dried sage is 2 teaspoons or 1.40 grams.

How to Make Sage Tea:
Bring 8 ounces of water to a boil, then allow it to cool for a few minutes before pouring over 1 teaspoon of fresh sage leaves, or 2 teaspoons, if using dried sage leaves.

Allow to steep for 10 minutes. (One source recommend steeping for a whopping 4 hours.)

After steeping (for however long you prefer) strain, then drink the infusion as you would any tea. Leftovers can be refrigerated for later.


No Leaves on-Hand? Just Use Ground Sage
There's no reason to forego this powerful IBS remedy just because you don't have actual sage leaves. Ground sage is just as good, and according to some people, works better than the tea method.

You can make a tea using ground sage in your coffee maker. Just substitute coffee grounds (don't forget a coffee filter) for a scoop of ground sage. Pour in your water, turn the coffee maker on and enjoy a quick cup of sage tea!

On hurried days, I dump 2 teaspoons of ground sage in a cup of warm or room temperature water for fast relief from bloating, cramping, and other IBS-related pain. 

Unlike coffee, the grounds of sage aren't bothersome going down. If the grounds do happen to bother you simply strain the sage-infused water beforehand.

How to Take Sage for Candida Overgrowth

When symptoms start showing up frequently, it usually signifies a problem with candidiasis, the overgrowth of candida albicans or "yeast." This is when I like to start taking sage on a daily basis. I either add ground sage to my water or put it in a capsule for fast, easy dosing.

My symptoms typically begin to disappear within 3-4 days, depending. 2 teaspoons taken for several consecutive days can be necessary to get candida under control.
 
If you the taste of sage is a problem or you're looking for a more convenient way to supplement with sage, you can opt for a capsule form.



Have you ever tried herbal remedies for IBS and candida overgrowth? Share your thoughts and results in the comments.

Review of Sari Foods' Nutritional Yeast Flakes + Personal Experience

 Sari Foods Natural, Non-Fortified Nutritional Yeast flakes are
a low-sodium, ancient Egyptian superfood with so much to be said about them! These are 100% natural, they are non-GMO and contain no MSG. Nutritional Yeast Flakes are full of vitamins, minerals and protein that vegans, paleo, halal, and virtually everybody can indulge in guilt-lessly.

Being a low-calorie food with so many versatile ways to add it into your everyday diet, it's very easy to get plenty of the yeast flakes each day.  These flakes can be added to many different dishes or simply eaten out of the bag, if you wanted to. I find that they go pretty well with several of my favorite dishes, and I have been looking forward to trying these on as many foods as possible. What an exciting, intriguing and unique superfood these yeast flakes are! I'm very new to them, and actually hadn't ever heard of such a thing until a couple of weeks ago. So please stick around while I give you the low-down on this awesome stuff!

 

         Note to IBS, candidiasis sufferers:

    Deactivated, dried yeast flakes that are free of candida albicans, which is actually a very important aspect that I feel compelled to expand on since a lot of my blog here has discussed digestive issues including candidiasis and IBS, and since I know many of my readers also struggle with these and other digestive issues, I feel it very important to note that as many of you know, I too have suffered severely with IBS/Candidiasis, so for those of you interested in a superfood like the yeast flakes from Sari Foods, you may find it useful to be notified that this, while it is a yeast product, should not upset candidiasis or IBS issues.

                 I will thoroughly document my journey of adding   this awesome, unique superfood into my diet, so you will all have something to go on. If any side effects or problems occur at any time during my use of a product, that information is always noted, often as an "update" at the bottom of a review if anything note-worthy arises after I've published a review of a product.

Important Product Specs:
Gluten free
Vegan
Non-toxic
Dairy free
Non-GMO
MSG free
Kosher
Halal
Naturally occurring
A Non-synthetic whole-food
Low Sodium
Re-sealable bag contains 14 servings
- Packaged in a GMP Facility (stands for Good Manufacturing Process.)

 Where does it come from? 

The answer might surprise you as much as it did me, but Sari Foods' Nutritional Yeast flakes come from molasses! 

Nutritional Yeast grows on sugar cane and on beet molasses. Heat treatment is used to deactivate the yeast, meaning once it's gone through the treatment, there's no longer the concern of it being able to grow inside of your stomach -- deactivated yeast.

Vitamins, Minerals
Sari Foods' Nutritional Yeast is "comprised of 50% protein (a complete, bio-available and vegan source,) over 20% fiber, contains all 18 amino acids, 15 minerals, and natural Vitamin-B complex and Beta-glucans, which are known for their extreme immune enhancing properties."

Contains loads of B-vitamins including, B-5, B-6, B-2, Niacin, Folate, and thiamine. Other Vitamins and minerals included are Biotin (which is beneficial for skin, hair and nails), selenium, zinc, iron, potassium, phosphorous, Molybdenum.

8.32 grams of protein in each serving. 4.8 milligrams of sodium.
Nutritional Yeast Flakes are a complete protein, meaning they contain 18 amino acids, including the ones our bodies cannot create itself.

One serving contains around 4 grams of fiber.

And one thing I was totally stoked to learn: The Nutritional Yeast Flakes contain Beta-glucans! I love those guys because they have amazing health properties, and are good for the immune system, and may help some people avoid illness like colds and flu! I once took a supplement that contained beta-glucan and I'm telling you, I would feel so fantastic when I took that supplement!  These Beta-glucans not only give your immune system a nice boost, but they protect against cancer and lower cholesterol.

Close-up of the flakes, which are soft and dissolve easily in warm liquids, including your mouth!

Another Close-Up. Sorry, I'm picture crazy!

 Taste:
These Yeast Flakes have a flavor all of their own. Sari Foods hit the nail on the head pretty nicely when they described the flavor as "cheesy, salty, creamy, and nutty." That really sums up the bold flavors that your tongue detects with each taste of their Nutritional Yeast Flakes.

The pungent flavor is certainly reminiscent of an aged cheese, and somewhat like that of Parmesan only stronger, more sharp. The aftertaste is just as bold as the first taste, but it has something like an odd, yet super clean taste, if that makes any sense at all. It feels a lot like the taste I have right after I've given my mouth a thorough cleansing with peroxide! Nothing unpleasant, but oddly... clean, especially considering I just had a very strong cheese-y like taste in my mouth seconds before.

The nutty flavor is there, but not as powerful as the chees-y and saltiness of the Nutritional Yeast flakes. The nuttiness would best be compared to that of a mixture between cashew and almonds, to me anyways. In fact, it's also somewhat similar to raw hemp seeds.

As a cheese lover, these Nutritional Yeast flakes are absolutely delectable in any soup, chili or other dish that is well complimented by the added flavor of a sharp cheese. Spaghetti, even cheese dips like queso. They kind of melt in your mouth, and dissolve well in a warm dish.

You know the creaminess sour cream gives a soup or to chili? Imagine that times about 3, that's what adding a couple teaspoons of the Nutritional Yeast Flakes to a bowl of soup of chili will do. Plus, the addition of an even stronger cheese flavor is total heaven for me, especially in chili. I like adding a little shredded cheddar and a teaspoon or two of the Nutritional Yeast Flakes. Talk about bold flavor, then!

Taste Updates:
1/8/2015
Tonight I sprinkled a small amount of Nutritional Yeast Flakes on a gordita, cheese-y taco I was eating and holy cheese-alternative! The little bit of yeast flakes I added to my gordita really enhanced the cheesy flavor already within it. I'm one of those folks who hasn't ever said "that's too much cheese." There is no such thing! I love that these flakes really do the trick for a cheesy craving. 

I am an extreme, huge, fanatic for cheese, which is why I have never attempted to cut dairy out of my diet. I absolutely adore cheese. 

And yet I could see the Nutritional Yeast Flakes actually being just enough to work as the perfect cheese alternative, if one were trying to quit dairy all together! 

I've been trying the Nutritional Yeast Flakes on a new food every night since I got the awesome stuff and have yet to find a food that wasn't super with it sprinkled on top!

I even had a saltine cracker snack, with the yeast flakes sprinkled on top and they were delicious! I couldn't get enough of them!

I'm looking forward to trying the flakes on many, many more foods, so I will happily update on this if ya'll are interested. I'm almost tempted to even sprinkle some onto my PB&J sandwich!

Kidding. Kidding. I'm not *that* bad of a cheese lover.

Informative back-side of package.

 

How to Use Sari Foods Nutritional Yeast Flakes:
The label on the re-sealable bag recommends 2 full tablespoons (16 grams) daily.

As I stated previously, the cheesy-like flavor of these flakes allows you to really get creative in the kitchen. Simply sprinkle them on any dish you like from raw smoothies to salads and popcorn or even create vegan nacho dips or macaroni and cheese. Sari Foods also mentions, on their website http://sarifoods.co/nutritional-yeast.htmlthat it goes great on tacos, baked potatoes, vegetables and salads. I didn't even think about using the flakes on those, but the tacos and baked potatoes are two I'll definitely have to try!

So far, I've been extremely fond of using the Yeast Flakes on chili, chicken chili (my mom makes some seriously bad-a** chicken chili, and I highly recommend the Yeast Flakes in chicken chili), soups, spaghetti and virtually any other dish that uses cheese, including parmasean cheese.

 To me, the flavor of the yeast flakes does somewhat resemble Parmesan, yet I find spaghetti even better when I substitute the parm for these Yeast Flakes. It's more pungent, to me, so I like that. I will go into more detail about flavor in a previous section titled "taste."

Close-up of text on back-side of package.

Health Benefits:
 "15-40% of Americans are deficient in B vitamins which can lead to deep and ongoing fatigue, brain fog, irritability, depression, and even insomnia (as they play a crucial role in melatonin production). The body depends on B6 to make the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, which affect both mood and feelings of happiness. With improved Vitamin B intake, we can sleep well, balance our hormones. increase our energy levels, clarity & overall mental function. " - Sari Foods.

"Fight Aging and Free Radicals. With highly absorbable amounts of nucleotides (the building blocks of DNA & RNA), Sari Foods Nutritional Yeast promotes cellular repair and regeneration. Then, by combining the two antioxidants glutathione and selenium, our Nutritional Yeast Flakes create a special enzyme called glutathione peroxidase that is known to neutralize free radicals and protect us from their damage." - Sari Foods

Summary:
I could definitely see myself using the Nutritional Yeast Flakes for the long term. I am still quite shocked at how much I like them. I can't say I have ever tasted a superfood that was this good. I can even enjoy a small bite straight, without mixing with food. 

Me, proudly clutching the Nutritional Yeast Flakes

I feel like most people will be able to tolerate this well, if not love it like I do, especially cheese lovers. I can't imagine any cheese lover not adoring the flavor the Nutritional Yeast Flakes offer. And if anyone did have an issue with their flavor, mixing into a favorite dish that's complimented well by cheese will absolutely make them tolerable. I'd even go so far as to say that most kids will handle them fine, too, especially when mixed into another dish.

With the health benefits found in this ancient Egyptian superfood, I can't think of anyone who I wouldn't recommend the Nutritional Yeast Flakes to. I am totally ecstatic at the nutrition properties, and the many great aspects I've laid out in the "product specs" section such as being vegan, non-GMO, non-MSG and more.

To sum this up briefly enough for it to still be considered a summary, I will say that these are an incredible and tasty way to add nutrition and I would love to have them in my life for the long term, if not forever!

*Special thanks to Sari Foods for not only introducing me to a new, amazing and tasty superfood, but for also allowing me an opportunity to experience them for myself!

Sari Foods can be found (and purchased from) on their Amazon page or their company website.

Disclaimer: I am not a specialist, expert, professional or doctor of any kind. Content on this blog is not intended to be taken as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or advice of any sort. I'm simply sharing information about my own experiences and results from use of a product or activity in hopes of providing useful information to readers, not to be taken as a patient/medical adviser relationship. I am not responsible for what readers choose to do after viewing the content here. Furthermore, I do not hold an "exceptional" or other special relationship with any company mentioned on this site. I'm simply a consumer who worked with the company on a review that is in compliance with FTC's guidelines. That means, everything you read here is my own words, not anything of the company's. I was not provided with monetary compensation for my review. All information posted has been done so with complete honesty. No action should be taken based solely on the content of this publication ( I'm not responsible.) Readers who rely on the information in this blog to replace the advise of an appropriate health care provider assume all risks of such behavior.