The B complex of Vitamins:

The B complex consists of eight B vitamins that all help with the overall production of energy, cognitive functioning and cellular health. These are Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pantothenic Acid (B5), Pyridoxine (B6), Biotin (B7), Folic Acid (B9), and Cobalamin (B12). Each variation helps with overall functions within the body.

• Thiamine (B1): Has anti inflammatory function and good for overall immune functioning. Beriberi results as a deficiency of B1 and symptoms include loss of appetite, swelling, pain or numbness amongst others. Thiamine can be found in everyday foods such as meat or supplied through supplementation as we do in our clinic. It’s been shown that supplementation is a more reliable means of consumption.
• Riboflavin (B2): important in cellular functioning. It maintains proper health of cells which overall help with the immune system, respiratory system, mental health.Deficiency in B2 can result in anemia and skin disorders.
• Niacin (B3):Niacin can help balance cholesterol levels which overall improves cardiovascular health. Flushing is a common side effect of taking Niacin in large doses, but is overall harmless. Blood vessels essentially dilate and become enlarged due to the circulation of blood.
• Pantothenic Acid (B5): Pantothenic Acid helps overall with the body’s metabolization of fats and carbohydrates so they can be used as energy. It specifically helps out with the creation of red blood cells and can potentially help manage stress and sex hormones that are created in the adrenal glands. It is postulated that it can help manage cholesterol levels similar to B3 and that B5 is essential to metabolism of vitamin B2.
• Pyridoxine (B6): Good for cognitive health. It helps with overall neurotransmitter production that improves mental health.
• Biotin (B7): helps with benefits to hair, skin, and nails. Vitamin C can also help with the absorption of this vitamin and the production of collagen!
• Folic Acid (B9): Folate has been proven to be beneficial to DNA production and cellular function. Alongside this, it also helps with the overall absorption of other B vitamins through the active form known as methylfolate. Folate is converted into the active form, Methylfolate in the digestive system.
• Cobalamin (B12): it helps the most with energy production. Has a role in metabolism of fats and carbohydrates into energy but all B variations potentially help with this. B12 more specifically helps the body better absorb folic acid which is the synthetic form of B9.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a nutrient your body needs to form blood vessels, cartilage, muscle and collagen in bones. Vitamin C is also vital to your body’s healing process.Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect your cells against the effects of free radicals — molecules produced when your body breaks down food or is exposed to tobacco smoke and radiation from the sun, X-rays or other sources. Free radicals might play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Vitamin C also helps your body absorb and store iron. Vitamin C deficiency is more likely in people who:
• Smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoking
• Have certain gastrointestinal conditions or certain types of cancer
• Have a limited diet that doesn’t regularly include fruits and vegetables
• Severe vitamin C deficiency can lead to a disease called scurvy, which causes anemia, bleeding gums, bruising and poor wound healing.
• Amino Acids. Glutamine: Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found in the body. It’s made in the muscles and transferred by the blood into different organ systems.Glutamine is a building block for making proteins in the body. It’s also needed to make other amino acids as well as glucose Glutamine might help gut function, immune function, brain function and other processes, especially in times of stress when the body uses more glutamine. People take glutamine for sickle cell disease, burns, to improve recovery after surgery, for injuries, and for complications of HIV/AIDS. It is also used for diarrhea, cystic fibrosis and many other conditions. L- Arginine: L-arginine is considered semi-essential or conditionally essential, meaning that it becomes essential under certain circumstances and conditions, including pregnancy, infancy, critical illness, and trauma. It’s necessary for the production of nitric oxide, a signaling molecule that’s needed for a variety of bodily processes and functions, including blood flow regulation to organs including the reproductive organs , mitochondrial function, and cellular communication. Additionally, it acts as a precursor to other amino acids including glutamate, proline, and creatine, and is essential for the health and functioning of your immune system.Arginine is necessary for the development of T-cells, which are white blood cells that play central roles in immune response. Lysine: The medical community defines lysine as an essential amino acid because, unlike some other amino acids, the body cannot synthesize it. As a result, people need to include it in their diet. The human body needs lysine for healthy functioning. It is a crucial component of proteins that play a role in helping body tissue grow and recover from damage. Other benefits of lysine include:
• helping the body absorb calcium iron, and zinc
• promoting collagen growth
• helping produce enzymes, antibodies, and hormones
• supporting the immune system
• Lowering blood pressure
• Treating diabetes
• Hair growth and many more. Citrulline: L-Citrulline, or simply just citrulline, is a nonessential amino acid. It is efficiently turned into L- arginine in the kidneys after supplementation, which makes it a good choice for increasing nitric oxide synthesis in the body which is needed for blood flow to the organs. Carnitine: Carnitine can aid in weight loss, to improve exercise performance, and to enhance a sense of well-being. Taurine: Taurine is thought to have a significant impact on the cardiovascular system and is a major reason taurine supplementation may be recommended. The cardiac muscles are strengthened in the presence of taurine, leading to improved overall function. This effect is also seen in skeletal muscles and is believed to improve exercise capacity and physical abilities. Taurine is often included as an ingredient in energy drinks, which is most likely due to its physiological effect to improve muscular function and physical performance. It is a conditional amino acid.

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. This means that it dissolves in water and is delivered to the body’s tissues but is not well stored, so it must be taken daily through food or supplements. Even before its discovery in 1932, nutrition experts recognized that something in citrus fruits could prevent scurvy, a disease that killed as many as two million sailors between 1500 and 1800.

• Is required for the functioning of several enzymes and is important for immune system function.It also functions as an antioxidant.
• May reduce your risk of chronic disease. …
• May help manage high blood pressure. 
• May lower your risk of heart disease.
• May reduce blood uric acid levels and help prevent gout attacks.
• Helps prevent iron deficiency.
• Boosts immunity.
• Protects your memory and thinking as you age.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance for adults 19 years and older is 90 mg daily for men and 75 mg for women. For pregnancy and lactation, the amount increases to 85 mg and 120 mg daily, respectively. Smoking can deplete vitamin C levels in the body, so an additional 35 mg beyond the RDA is suggested for smokers.

Glutathione:

Glutathione is a substance made from the amino acids glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid. It is produced by the liver and involved in many body processes.

Glutathione is involved in tissue building and repair, making chemicals and proteins needed in the body, and in immune function. Glutathione not only decreases the melanin (pigmentation) in your skin, but has also been found to decrease wrinkles and increase skin elasticity. Glutathione works on the skin pigment production by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in making melanin. It reduces hyperpigmentation of the skin.

Glutathione has many important functions, including:

• making DNA, the building blocks of proteins and cells
• supporting immune function
• forming sperm cells
• breaking down some free radicals
• helping certain enzymes function
• regenerating vitamins C and E
• transporting mercury out of the brain
• helping the liver and gallbladder deal with fats
• assisting regular cell death (a process known as apoptosis)

Niacinamide: Form of Vitamin B3. See above.

Vitamin A: Vitamin A is a bit of a superstar in the skin community. Why? Because it is an essential piece to protecting your skin from damage.
Here’s how it works:

Both the upper and lower layers of your skin need vitamin A to prevent and protect it from sun damage, which is a big deal in the overall health of your skin. Sun damage is single-handedly responsible for the breakdown of collagen the protein that keeps your skin firm, plump, and youthful). Without this protection, your skin can suffer from:

• Sagging
• Age Spots
• Skin Cancer

In addition, vitamin A is a potent antioxidant. So, on warm-weather beach days, it can help you protect your skin (when combined with an SPF) against sunburns. If that wasn’t enough, vitamin A has also been proven to help heal your skin, reduce inflammation, and regulate oil producing glands.

Vitamin E: A unique antioxidant, vitamin E helps support your skin’s immune system and increases cell function for a healthier complexion around the clock. How does it do this? By effectively combating free radicals and bacteria produced by toxins in the environment.

Selenium

Selenium is not new to the world, or skincare for that matter. Found in the soil, water, or foods like meats and nuts, selenium plays a big part in our skin’s health. A main ingredient for overall immune health, this supplement works with vitamin E to help protect the body from cancers, including skin-related cancers, and help thwart off harmful UV rays. It can preserve tissue elasticity for a full, plump, and youthful appearance, while simultaneously slowing down the overall signs of aging.

Methionine : Methionine is an amino acid found in many proteins, including the proteins in foods and those found in the tissues and organs of your body.
In addition to being a building block for proteins, it has several other unique features.
One of these is its ability to be converted into important sulfur-containing molecules. Sulfur-containing molecules have a variety of functions, including the protection of your tissues, modifying your DNA and maintaining proper functioning of your cells. Methionine can convert into several sulfur-containing molecules with important functions, such as glutathione, taurine, SAM and creatine. These molecules are critical for the normal functions of the cells in your body. Methionine is an antioxidant. It may help protect the body from damage caused by ionizing radiation. It may detoxify harmful substances in the body, such as heavy metals. It may also prevent liver damage from acetaminophen poisoning. And it may help prevent fat deposits in your liver.

It may also help ease fatigue and reduce the risk of early balding. It may also help treat osteoporosis.

MSM: Methylsulfonylmethane: People commonly use MSM for osteoarthritis. It is also used for pain, swelling, aging skin, hay fever, and many other conditions. Methylsulfonylmethane (Dimethylsulfone or, more commonly, MSM) is a small DMSO-related sulfur-containing molecule used for its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. It holds potential for joint health.

MSM may be beneficial for skin health by acting as a sulfur donor to keratin. This, in turn, can help strengthen this important protein. MSM also helps reduce inflammation, which can damage skin cells and cause signs of premature aging like wrinkles.

Our migraine cocktail : Some of the medications that may be included in a migraine cocktail include:

• Triptans: These medications have anti-inflammatory effects and are thought to narrow the blood vessels in your brain, helping to ease pain. An example of a triptan in a migraine cocktail is Imitrex).
• Antiemetics: can help with pain, too. Some may also relieve nausea and vomiting. Examples that may be used in a migraine cocktail include prochlorperazine (Compazine) and reglan
• Ergot alkaloids: Ergot alkaloids work in a similar way to triptans. An example of an ergot alkaloid used in a migraine cocktail is dihydroergotamine.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Are a type of pain-relieving and anti inflammatory medication. One type of NSAID that may be present in a migraine cocktail is ketorolac ( Toradol)
• IV steroids: IV steroids work to ease pain and inflammation. They may be given to help prevent your migraine from coming back in the next few days.
• Intravenous (IV) fluids: Normal saline help replace any fluids you may have lost. These fluids also help prevent side effects from the medications included in the migraine cocktail.
• IV magnesium sulfate : Magnesium is a natural element that’s often used to prevent migraine attacks. Significant research has shown that people with migraines often have lower levels of magnesium than those without them. Magnesium is an essential mineral that our bodies need to function properly. It can improve bone health, stabilize blood pressure, and help maintain a healthy heart rhythm and nerve function. Symptoms of low magnesium include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle cramping, tingling, and muscle contractions.Low magnesium is also linked to headaches and migraines. It’s estimated that many people don’t get enough magnesium through their diets.
• IV valproic acid (Depakote): This is a seizure medication that can be used to treat a severe migraine attack. Magnesium has been shown to be as effective as this medication without side effects.
• Caffeine: Caffeine is a naturally occurring central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of the methylxanthine class and is the most widely taken psychoactive stimulant globally. This drug is most commonly sourced from the coffee bean but can also be found naturally occurring in certain types of tea and cacao beans, and it is also an additive to soda and energy drinks. The primary goal of caffeine consumption is to combat fatigue and drowsiness, but there are many additional uses. Caffeine’s primary mechanism of action is on the adenosine receptors in the brain. As it is both fat and water-soluble, it readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, resulting in antagonism to all four adenosine receptor subtypes (A1, A2a, A2b, A3). Specifically, the antagonism of the A2a receptor is responsible for the wakefulness effects of caffeine.