What is Vitamin B?
What is Vitamin B?
What is vitamin B? Momma always said to “eat your vegetables” and there’s a good reason for it. Green vegetables contain B vitamins that are essential to your health. The B vitamins are actually a group of 8 vitamins, each with their own important function. Deficiency in any of these vitamins can cause disease and health issues.
Thiamine (B1)
Thiamine is B1. Thiamine is an essential coenzyme in releasing energy from food. It also plays role in DNA and RNA synthesis and nervous system health. Thiamine deficiency causes beriberi disease which affects the nervous and cardiovascular system. Beriberi can be fatal. Thiamine is found in lentils,peas, pork, red meat, eggs, and wholegrain breads.
Riboflavin (B2)
Riboflavin is known as B2 and also plays a role in releasing energy from food.B2 also plays a role in eye, skin and nervous system health. B2 deficiency can cause hypersensitivity to light and dry, scaly skin. Good sources of B2 are dairy products which include milk, cheese, yogurt etc. Eggs and rice are also good sources of vitamin B2.
Niacin (B3)
Niacin or B3 works with other B vitamins to help metabolize food into cellular energy. Niacin deficiency causes pellagra disease. Sources of B3 include beef, poultry, fish, eggs, milk peanuts and lentils
Pantothenic Acid (B5)
Vitamin B5 like all other B vitamins assist in metabolizing food and releasing energy. B5 is often called an “anti stress vitamin” because it plays a critical role in production of stress related hormones in the adrenal glands. It may also help lower cholesterol in the body. B5 is found in almost everything making deficiency very rare. Good sources include liver, egg yolk, green vegetables and milk.
Pyridoxine ( B6)
B6 is used in the body to produce hemoglobin, an important part of red blood cells. Pyridoxine is found in many foods making B6 deficiency rare. Good sources include meats, beans, fruits and vegetables.
Biotin (B7)
Biotin is important for skin, hair and nails. It also aids in the metabolism of fat. Sources of B7 include meat, strawberries and cheese.
Folic Acid (B9)
Folic Acid is vitamin B9. It is important for the generation of health cells and the metabolism of amino acids. Folic acid is extremely important for pregnant women and can help prevent brain and spine birth defects. Sources of folic acid include green vegetables, fruits, dried peas and nuts.
Cyanocobalamin (B12)
Vitamin B12 is important for red blood cells and nervous system health. A B12 deficiency can lead to anemia which is a type of blood disorder. B12 is found in chicken, beef, fish, milk and eggs.
Vitamin B Complex Supplements
If you have difficulty maintaining a complete and balanced diet, you may consider taking a complex supplement which includes all 8 B vitamins.
Vitamin B deficiency
Vitamin B Deficiencies express themselves differently. This is because not all the b vitamins do the same thing. A Vitamin B deficiency of any of these vitamins can lead to health problems. Symptoms depend on the vitamin you lack.
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