How Vitamin B Deficiency Can Make You a Mosquito Magnet - With Recipes And Natural DIY Repellant

Why is it that some people are prone to being practically eaten alive by mosquitoes while others get off scot free? If you're the sort who gets bitten on a regular basis you may want to read on because, apart from the annoyance (and often pain and swelling), the most dangerous creature on the planet can also carry diseases, including Lyme.

So if you are (or you know) that person who feels under attack, this post is dedicated to you. Here are 8 foods to incorporate into your diet to avoid being a mosquito magnet. I also have a DIY repellant for you, courtesy of my friend Astrid of Heal Me In The Kitchen.

Why are B Vitamins so important?
Eight B Vitamins collectively make up the B Complex family and, although each one has its own uses within the body, they generally help produce energy and aid cellular function. Any issues relating to mental health, digestion and malabsorption, hormone imbalance, disturbed sleep, inflammation, poor cardiovascular health and methylation concerns can all be improved by having sufficient stores of the B Vitamins.

Vitamin B deficiency and mosquitoes
One of the questions on my intake forms is about vulnerability to insect bites. This sounds odd and you may wonder why that's relevant, right? Don't these irritating creatures just land on the unsuspecting? Well no not really, because vulnerability to insect bites has been linked to a Vitamin B deficiency. It's thought that Vitamin B puts out a scent that has mozzies (and other biting insects) backing off and moving on in search of another victim. This theory has been questioned by some, however since so many of us are deficient in Vitamin B, it's a good idea to replenish the stores anyway - especially when you're about to go on a camping trip, or somewhere near a fresh water source. Here are some of Mother Nature's suggestions.

Eight Vitamin B-rich AIP foods to try -

1. Liver - I bet you knew I was going to say that, ha! The fact is liver outperforms any other food when it comes to Vitamin B content. It's particularly high in B12 so great for an energy boost, and a reason you may want to eat liver earlier in the day so you're not wide awake at bedtime. Liver's also a potent source of other nutrients too, in fact the Weston Price Foundation claims it contains more nutrients, gram for gram, than any other food. Quite the accolade! Not only should we be including this in our diets for nutrients sake, but it's also extremely cheap to buy - winner for keeping the budget down.
2. Red Meat - such as beef and lamb. Buy the best quality you can afford, preferably grass-fed and grass-finished. It may surprise you to know that most grass-fed cattle are actually grain-finished in order to fatten them up for market. If you're sensitive to beef and have known issues with grains, you may want to bear this in mind.
3. Poultry - As with red meat above, buy the best you can afford which is preferably a bird that was pasture-raised and allowed to forage for its own food in the majority of cases. If you're sensitive to poultry, ask your supplier about the feed the birds were given.
4. Seafood - is a great choice because it's easily digestible. But because fish now live in largely contaminated oceans, concentrate on those that aren't bottom feeders since heavy metals often sink. Also smaller fish are preferable because they'll have less build up of toxicity. Good choices are wild salmon, sardines, herring, and occasional tuna. Safe Catch is a brand that promises low mercury tuna in their cans. Always purchase wild-caught fish, as farmed fish are rife with disease due to their environment and unnatural diet.
5. Shellfish - such as mussels and clams, score highly on the nutrient density scale and they're classed as organ meat (you eat the whole thing). This is great news if you really can't stomach the thought of liver. As with seafood above, shellfish is easily digestible but does need to be sourced from uncontaminated waters which can be a challenge.
6. Leafy Greens - dark green leafies such as kale, collards, spinach and chard are great choices and contain many nutrients besides B Vitamins. Also think brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, asparagus and always vary your intake.
7. Avocados - have very high levels of certain B Vitamins. They're also a very rich source of healthy fat so try to incorporate them into your diet on a frequent basis if possible. Avocado oil, which is milder than olive oil, is great in salad dressings and can be used for higher temperature cooking.
8. Bananas - high in fibre, a resistant starch (so feeding good bacteria in the colon) and great for a quick burst of energy. They also make a great natural sweetener  that I love to use (see my cake recipe below).

Try any of these recipes for a tasty boost of Vitamin B -

• Liver with Bacon, Onions and Collard Greens with Garlic Cauli Mash
• Beef Liver Paté with Strawberries, Basil and Balsamic
• Mr Jay's Meat and Veggie Tray Bake
• Lamb and Rutabaga Pilaf with Bok Choy
• Hidden Veggie Meatloaf with Chicken and Lamb
• Chicken with Cider Vinegar Cream and Caramelised Apples
• Wild Salmon and Leek Paté
• Wild Salmon and Prosciutto Cups
• Chargrilled Prawns and Delicata Squash with Arugula and Herb Oil
• Mussels, Clams and Shrimps in a Fragrant Broth
• Brussels Sprouts with Anchovies and Orange
• Shredded Chicken with Tarragon and Kale
• Banana Cinnamon Fritters
• Banana Carob "Chocolate" Chip Cake {sweetener free}

Try a natural bug repellant
Avoid DEET if you possibly can - or at least know the side effects. I know from personal experience whilst traveling through Africa, South East Asia, Central America and other mosquito-infested areas, that the skin peeled off my hands after several applications. Despite using it my husband even contracted Malaria whilst we were trekking in Kenya, so there are some pretty resistant bugs out there. Even most commercially available sprays contain toxins that aren't kind to our skin or environment.

If mosquitoes have you running for cover, lovely Astrid from Heal Me In The Kitchen (check her site for more food and essential oil recipes) has shared a couple of recipes for deterring them. Don't let those beasties ruin your outdoor fun!

Have you been on the meal plan for mosquitoes before? Let me know if this post helps at all.

Are you interested in working with me to address your health symptoms on a deeper level? Take a look at my Work with Me Page.