Vitamin B is a complex of several vitamins. All B vitamins help the body to convert carbohydrates into glucose (sugar), which is "burned" to produce energy. They are essential in the breakdown of fats and protein. They also play an important role in maintaining healthy skin, hair, eyes, liver and muscle tone, enhance immune and nervous system function, and promote cell growth and division, including that of the red blood cells which help prevent anemia. All B vitamins are water soluble, and are dispersed throughout the body and must be replenished daily, with any excess excreted in the urine. Food sources of vitamin B include meat, wheat germ and whole grains, enriched flour, nutritional yeast, carrots, cheese, eggs, peas, beans, fish, oatmeal, broccoli, kelp, peanuts and other legumes, sesame seeds, alfalfa, peppermint, clove and potatoes.
B-1 |
Thiamine is required by every cell of the body to form the fuel the body runs on. Nerve cells require vitamin B-1 in order to function normally. It has a positive effect on energy, growth, normal appetite, and is needed for muscle tone of the intestines, stomach, and heart. |
B-2 |
Riboflavin (Vitamin G) helps convert carbohydrates into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a compound needed to store energy in muscles. Vitamin B-2 is also considered an antioxidant. |
B-3 |
Niacin, Niacinamide (Vitamin P or Vitamin PP) is helpful in normal secretion of bile and stomach fluids. Without niacin, thiamine and riboflavin cannot function properly. |
B-5 |
Pantothenic Acid occurs in all living cells, both plant and animals. It is needed to activate the adrenal glands and also has a detoxifying effect from harmful compounds found in herbicides and insecticides. |
B-6 |
Pyridoxine and Pyridoxamine are converted in the liver to pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) which is a cofactor in many reactions of amino acid metabolism. Vitamin B-6 is required to make hemoglobin within red blood cells, which carries oxygen to tissues. Vitamin B6 also helps increase the amount of oxygen carried by hemoglobin. |
B-7 |
Biotin (Vitamin H) activates enzymes which in turn split and rearrange glucose, amino acids and fatty acids, and metabolizes leucine (one of the 20 most common amino acids). It helps with the transfer of carbon dioxide and helps maintain a steady blood sugar level. |
B-9 |
Folic Acid, Folate, Folacin (Vitamin M) gets its name from the Latin word "folium" for leaf. It works along with vitamin B-12 and vitamin C, and is necessary for the the synthesis of DNA and RNA (which controls heredity), and also increases the appetite and stimulates the formation of digestive acids. |
B-12 |
Cobalamin, Cyanocobalamin (so called because it contains the metal cobalt) is needed for nerve cells and bone marrow (where blood cells are formed), and to make DNA. |
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