Facts About Vitamins

B Vitamins - Importance of B vitamins for health

 

B vitamins are eight water-soluble vitamins - vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), biotin, vitamin B9 (folic acid) and vitamin B12 which commonly coexist in the same foods. Each of chemically distinctive B vitamins has its own function but if being isolated from other vitamins of the B group a particular B vitamin does not fulfill its functions. Thus dietary supplements of an individual vitamin B are of little use.

B vitamins are highly important for general health and overall well-being because they play an important role in metabolism and cell growth, maintain healthy skin, hair, nails and muscle tone, enhance cardiovascular and nervous system function and boost the immune system. Healthy balance of B vitamins also helps to prevent series of diseases including cancer. B vitamin deficiency can cause series of health problems ranging from premature hair loss, various skin problems, constipation and mental confusion to dementia and dangerously increased cholesterol blood levels which can lead to heart disease. In severest cases vitamin B deficiency can even lead to premature death and birth defects.　

 

The great majority of people suffer from vitamin B deficiency in certain extent due to unhealthy diet. B vitamins are found in whole unprocessed foods such as brown rice, wholegrain cereals as well as animal products, yeast extracts (brewers' yeast), dairy products, etc. which are often consumed in insufficient amounts. In addition, increased consumption of sugar, caffeine, black tea and alcohol further reduce the vitamin B content by altering the balance of gut flora and affecting the body's ability to produce B vitamins.