“Vitamin B6 is also called pyridoxine. It is involved in the process of making serotonin and norepinephrine, which are chemicals that transmit signals in the brain. Vitamin B6 is also involved in the formation of myelin, a protein layer that forms around nerve cells. http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/vitamin-b6/background/HRB-20058788
Although there are things to which all of us respond (i.e. the need to sleep), we each have differing levels of receptiveness to those ‘signals’ (i.e. amounts of sleep needed on a nightly basis). Those who know me, know I do not function at optimal levels (a mild way of saying I’m an exhausted, grumpy and confused mess) without 8 hours of sleep on the preceding night. I have several family members and friends who require much less sleep, 4 – 5 hours per night who find my 8 hour requirement bizarre; however when they talk with me about 4 – 5 hours, I’m equally confused as to how they can stand nevertheless function. Similarly, each of us needs a personal relationship with a higher being. At differing times on our journey we may need Him to help us in different areas (and at different levels) but at no time should we ever operate without Him leading, guiding and directing us. He is not merely the ultimate signal to alert us when we are heading down a dangerous path; He is our daily Provider (Matthew 6:31-33), Protector (Psalm 91), Restorer (Job 42:10), Comforter, Teacher, Friend and Counselor (John 14: 16-17). Without a personal relationship with a higher being, we may exist but it is only after accepting as our Savior that we can have abundant life (John 10:10). His promises to, with and for us provide a layer around our life (both here and into eternity). Blessings, Rev. Antoinette
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According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/853.html, Vitamin B5 (also known as pantothenic acid) is found in a wide variety of sources, hence the term “pantothenic”. Although it is used to ‘treat’ multiple things (ranging from allergies to muscle cramps), its’ effectiveness as a stand-alone treatment is not agreed upon by the medical community. Not only is it not agreed upon as an effective stand-alone treatment, there is “insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness” for over 90% of the ailments for which it used. . . for over 90% of the ailments for which it is used.
However, before we quickly scoff at those who use B5, who among us are not guilty of hanging on to ‘remedies’ or habits that aren’t effective, efficient or beneficial? We have good luck charms for almost everything: the foot of a rabbit (which obviously didn’t bring the footless bunny good luck); 4 leaf clovers (the last time I checked, once we remove a plant from the ground/vine or source of nutrients, it cannot grow, bloom or create new plants); jump over sidewalk cracks (possibly spraining our ankle due to unusual acrobatics) and fear felines whose natural hair color is ebony (okay, I’m not a cat person but even I know not to blame Tabby for the given color of her fur). So who should we look to for something that’s beneficial to our everyday life? Who has a proven track record that we can see in nature, history and in our personal lives? A higher being. The very earth is His (Psalm 24:1). He alone controls the elements (Psalm 65:7); the very earth is His (Psalm 24:1) and each one of us is so important to Him until He knows one of the most insignificant details about us – the number of hairs on our head (Luke 12:7). Since his handiwork is everywhere, including in us, why not look to Him to be our effective and ever present help, not only in our troubled times but as a sounding board and advisor during our good times? His reach is boundless and His love for us is eternal. Blessings, Rev. Antoinette There are 8 vitamins in the Vitamin B family; although they all assist the body in producing energy, two of the functions of Vitamin B-3 (niacin) are improving circulation and suppressing inflammation. Persons with a Vitamin B3 deficiency may suffer from : Indigestion, fatigue, canker sores, vomiting, poor circulation and depression (http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/vitamin-b3-niacin).
There are many ways to “be spiritual”. One can seek meaning from those things that make us feel better about ourselves; we can adopt a works based philosophy – doing more good/noble things for others or we can limit our adoption of modernity in an attempt to practice asceticism. Although each of these techniques may or may not have temporary benefits, in the end, none will completely satisfy our spiritual hunger/thirst. Cake will address hunger but a diet based on cake alone may not be the best source for a nutritionally sound and balanced diet and overindulgence in ‘satisfying’ but unhealthy choices may bring about undesirable results. Spiritual voids can only be filled by encounters with Christ (Psalm 42:1). The French theologian Pierre Teihard De Chardin was famous for teaching we are spiritual beings who have human experiences. As we grow, study the Word and connect via worship (private and corporate), our spiritual circulation improves, breathing new life into us and awakening us to His Presence. Can believers suffer from ailments and depression, yes, but our Vitamin has everything we need to address the things that attack our health. Blessings, Rev. Antoinette “Vitamin B1, or thiamin, is an important coenzyme that helps the body convert food into energy. It also assists in manufacturing fat and metabolizing protein. Thiamin is necessary to maintain normal function in the nervous system.” http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/vitamin-supplements/vitamin-b-1.htm
I don’t know about you but a good portion of the time, I feel as though I live my life on roller skates. I’m constantly in motion and rarely am able to do only 1 thing at a time. Energy (and far too often rest) are a luxury; I do things because they need to be done and think about replenishing my energy ‘tank’ much, much later in the process. Unfortunately, since I’m functioning on ‘fumes’ one of the first areas where I notice a change is in my peace of mind (and level of calmness). What I’ve learned (and remind myself of) is to connect with a higher being; the ultimate recharging station. When I’m connected to a divine being, He will restore not only my soul (Psalm 23) but my mind (Ephesians 4:23), peace (Isaiah 26:3) and energy levels (Psalm 193:5). Being grounded through turning to a higher being as the truth and light is key to functioning at an optimal level; without him, we operate in our own limited and fleeting strength and we are guaranteed to burn out. Do I still crave a good nap, yes, but when I’ve drawn my energy from a divine being, I can rest confidently and be restored. Blessings, Rev. Antoinette According to the National Institutes of Health* (a branch of the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services), Vitamin A “is important for normal vision, the immune system, and reproduction. Vitamin A also helps the heart, lungs, kidneys, and other organs work properly.” A Vitamin A deficiency, albeit rare in the U.S., due to it being available in many of the foods we eat, can cause xerophthalmia (a disease which impacts our ability to see in low light and which if left untreated can lead to blindness). *https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-Consumer Are you getting enough Vitamin A spiritually? How is your spiritual vision? The truth of the matter is we all encounter ‘low light’ situations. A low light situation is one in which is seems as though we’re walking in a fog – we’re squinting and trying our best to focus but still can’t see what’s directly in front of us. If we stay in a low light environment for a prolonged period of time, we may begin to adjust our expectations; we believe we aren’t supposed to see clearly or may think clarity is ‘too bright’ and intentionally choose darkness (1 Corinthians 13: 12 (a)). What should we do we do when we’re operating with diminished spiritual vision (or in a low light scenario)? Turn to a higher being to seek the Light of the World (John 8:12). Only when we walk in the light can we receive enlightenment and be able to radiate light to assist those around us. Will we be guaranteed to never encounter low light situations again? Hardly, but having a Divine flashlight will assist us to see through the fog, night and storms of life. Blessings, Rev. Antoinette |
AuthorRev. Antoinette Gatewood-Sykes, Inspirational Speaker Archives
May 2019
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