Vitamin B

This will probably not be your first encounter with vitamin B. You must have heard it been mentioned even when it is been called its alternative names like folic acids riboflavin or vitamin B Complex. The B vitamin is a constituent of group of eight individual vitamins which are as follows:

1. Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
2. Vitamin B2 riboflavin
3. Vitamin B6 (Narcin,)
4. Vitamin B-9(folic acid )
5. Vitamin B-12 (cyanocobalamin
6. Pyrodixme
7. Panthotenic acid
8. biotin.

What the B vitamin does in the body is to enhance growth and development. The numerous function of the B vitamin include the following:
1. It increases appetite and energy and improves memory.
2. It aids the digestion process particularly in breaking down fats and proteins and in breaking down carbohydrate into glucose.
3. It is essential for healthy skin, hair, eyes and mouth.
4. It improves resistance to infection and disease and helps nervous and mental conditions.
5. It treats anemia and other damages to the nerve.

For carbohydrates to produce energy, it has to be converted to glucose and this process needs vitamin B1 to be completed. For the numerous system and the heart to function well, it needs thiamine (Bl).
Although it is not a common phenomenon to encounter vitamin B1 deficiency but this is not the case with alcoholics. Occurrence of deficiency in thiamine is common with alcoholics because the spirit hinders thiamine from property absorption. Through the intestine deficiency in B1, like other vitamins lead to serious ill-health condition like;
1. beriberi, an anemia related diseases,
2. muscular atrophy,
3. paralysis,
4. loss of memory,
5. spasins in the leg muscles,
6. mouth related disease like cracklings,
7. pains in cheeks and gums as well as the teeth, and
8. Wernicke's encephelophalthy which bring about lack of proper coordination.

The most common source of thiamine include
i. Green leafy vegetables
ii. Bread
iii. Red meat
iv. Egg yolk.
There is no negative effect of excessive intake of B1.
Vitamin B2 plays a vital role of aiding digestion process of fats and protein and carbohydrates into simple sugar. Vitamin B2 is needed for the maintenance of the skin and the mucous membrane, the nerve sheats and cornea of the eye. Lack of vitamin B2 will lead to skin disorders and mouth and nose diseases. It could effect the proper functioning of the eye. The common sources of this vitamin are:
i. Eggs
ii. Milk
iii. Meat

Vitamin B3 is essentially needed in metabolism, healthy skin and gastrointestinal tract. Lack of vitamin B3, also known as Niacin can lead to pellagra which common symptom is diarrhea. It could also bring about serious pain in the mouth turning the checks and tongue to blood red. The common sources of this vitamin are
i. Eggs
ii. Fish
iii. Meat
iv. Poultry.
When the aim is to burn out cholesterol in the body, excessive doses of B3 can be recommended, but this could result in headaches, nausea. And other skin problems.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) plays a very vital role in red blood cells production. And also has to do with the metabolism of amino acids as well as antibodies synthesis in the name system. Lack by sufficient pyridoxine will lead to wernuke's encephalopathy (poor coordination); skin related diseases, lack of sleep, pains in the mouth and nervous system problems. However, vitamin B6 deficiency is rare and most common with alcoholic addict. Sources of pyridoxine include;

i. Fish
ii. Bread and cereals
iii. Organ meats
iv. Rice.

Vitamin B9, source is green vegetables, citrus fruits have oranges and legumes, is responsible for the synthesis of the DNA. B9, also known as Folacin which combine B12 and vitamin c, is very vital in aiding digestion of body building food such as protein food and also in the producing red blood cells. Lack of sufficient B9 often result in anemia, and lack of proper growth. Lack of vitamin B9 is most common with the elderly, alcoholics and those who lack intake of proper balanced diet.
Another B vitamin, known as the cyanocobalamin
(B12) and is required to enhance digestion of protein and fats and carbohydrates; is needed to activate amino acid and new cells formation. Cyanocobalamin requires to be combined with mucoproteins for proper absorption into the body. Deficiency in vitamin B12 can result in very injurious anemia leading to serious weakness and fever.

The other two B vitamin, bioten and panttathenic acid has the following sources.

i. liver
ii. Meat
iii. Legumes
iv. Egg yolk
v. Mushrooms
vi. Whole-grain cereals
The function of these vitamins include digestion of carbohydrate and amino acids. Biotin functions mainly as a co-enzyme in carboxylation reactions. Lack of biotin can result in skin related problems. On the other hand, no disease is known to occur as a result of pantothenic acid deficiency.

The articles on this website should not be used as a basis for any form of diagnosis or treatment for any medical condition. Always seek professional medical advice.