Vitamin B Complex

Vitamin B Complex

- Is important for proper brain function.
- Important for skin, liver, nerves, eyes, mouth, and hair.
- Important for muscle tone in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Absorption of vitamin B decreases as we age.
- Important part of Glutathione production.

Vitamin B complex is vital in cellular enzyme function and important in brain metabolism; they help to remove lead from the brain.

The vitamin B complex is involved in energy production and acts as coenzyme helping enzymes react chemically with other subsistence’s. Deficiencies of vitamin B complex and B12 have been linked to the wrong diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

- Enhances cognitive activity, learning capacity, and brain function.
- Enhances energy, growth, and normal appetite.
- Enhances blood circulation and formation.
- Helps in the production of hydrochloric acid for the digestive system and the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
- Needed for good muscle tone of the intestines, stomach, and heart.
- Sources include brown rice, wheat germ, whole grains, oatmeal, legumes, peanuts, egg yolks, liver, broccoli, brussel sprouts, asparagus, kelp, watercress, plums, raisins, alfalfa, burdock root, cayenne, sage, chamomile, parsley, and peppermint.

Deficiency symptoms have been linked to;

- A nervous system disease called Beriberi.
- Nervousness, fatigue, edema, irritability, forgetfulness, poor coordination, and loss of appetite.
- Severe weight loss.
- Constipation and gastrointestinal disturbances.
- Enlarged liver, heart changes, and labored breathing.
- Muscle atrophy, weak and sore muscles, numbness of the hands and feet, tingling sensations, pain and sensitivity, and general weakness.

Vitamin B1 (Benfotiamine)

- A fat-soluble form of the water-soluble vitamin B1.
- Lasts longer in the body with potential better therapeutic benefits than B1 (Thiamine).
- May be more effective in controlling damage from diabetes because it is a better activator of the enzyme transketolase.
- Transketolase helps in keeping glucose-derived compounds out of blood vessels and nerve cells.
- Sources include garlic, onions, shallots, and leeks.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

- Needed for the immune system.
- Needed for the formation of red blood cells and oxygenation.
- Important for the skin, hair, and nails.
- Important in the prevention and treatment of cataracts.
- Helps in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
- Helps the absorption of iron and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine).
- Helps the metabolism of the amino acid tryptophan which is converted to Niacin.
- Enhances the mucous membranes of the digestive tract.

Deficiency symptoms have been linked to;

- Insomnia, dizziness, and slowed mental response.
- Skin lesions, dermatitis, and light sensitivity.
- Cracks and sores at the corner of the mouth.
- Inflammation of the mouth and tongue.
- A group of symptoms referred to as ariboflavinosis.
- Poor digestion, hair loss, and retarded growth.
- Can damage a developing fetus.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome may improve from B2 and B6.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin, Nicotinic Acid, Niacinamide)

- A memory enhancer.
- Has shown to be helpful for schizophrenia and other mental diseases.
- Helps the nervous system.
- Helps in the production of hydrochloric acid for the digestive system.
- Involved in the secretion of bile and stomach fluids.
- Helps the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
- Niacin (nicotinic acid) lowers cholesterol.
- Involved in the synthesis of sex hormones.
- Needed for good circulation and healthy skin.

Deficiency symptoms have been linked to;

- Depression, dementia, dizziness, headaches, and insomnia.
- Fatigue, low blood sugar, muscular weakness, limb pain, and loss of appetite.
- A disease called Pellagra.
- Indigestion and diarrhea.
- Canker sores and skin eruptions.
- Halitosis.
- Inflammation.

Caution, high doses of Niacin can damage the liver and raise blood sugar levels.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

- Involved in the production of neurotransmitters.
- May fight depression anxiety.
- Needed by all cells in the body.
- Known as the anti-stress vitamin.
- Needed for the production of the adrenal hormone and functioning of the adrenal gland.
- Needed for the immune system.
- An essential element of coenzyme A.
- Enhances stamina and prevents anemia.
- Needed for the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Helps the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Deficiency symptoms have been linked to;

- Fatigue, nausea, headache, and tingling in the hands.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

- Needed for normal brain function and by the nervous system.
- Prevents memory loss.
- Needed for the synthesis of the nucleic acids RNA and DNA.
- Enhances red blood cell formation.
- Helps the immune system and plays a role in cancer prevention and immunity.
- Helps the treatment of allergies and asthma.
- Helps maintain sodium and potassium balance.
- Helps in the prevention of arteriosclerosis.
- Prevents the formation of toxic chemicals called homocysteine which attacks the heart and allows the deposition of cholesterol around the heart muscle.
- A diuretic that can reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
- It may be useful in preventing calcium oxalate kidney stones.
- Helps in the production of hydrochloric acid for the digestive system and the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
- Helps the treatment of arthritis.
- Helps the absorption or B12.

Deficiency symptoms have been linked to;

- Fatigue.
- Anemia and anorexia.
- Depression, hyperirritability, learning difficulties, impaired memory, memory loss, and hearing problems.
- Headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, numbness, and tingling sensations.
- Impaired wound healing, stunted growth, hair loss, and carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, and conjunctivitis.
- Flaky skin, oily facial skin, and acne.
- Cracks and sores on the mouth and lips, sore tongue, and inflammation of the mouth and gums.

Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)

- Is linked to the production of acetylcholine a neurotransmitter that assists memory and learning.
- Has been shown to reverse the symptoms of rare neurological diseases.
- Protects against neurological deterioration as we age.
- Prevents nerve damage and protects nerve ends.
- Important for protein synthesis needed for cardiovascular function and health.
- The most chemically complex of all the vitamins.
- Is the general name for a group of essential biological compounds known as cobalamins.
- The most effective form is methylcobalamin and the most common form is cyanocobalamin.
- Methylcobalamin is active in the growth and protection of the nervous system.
- Studies suggest that Methylcobalamin could increase the synthesis of certain proteins that help regenerate nerves.
- Methylcobalamin may prevent help Parkinson’s disease and slow its progression.
- Methylcobalamin is essential for converting homocysteine into methionine used to build protein needed for cardiovascular function.
- Uncoverted homocysteine may increase clotting factors which can result in the buildup of plaque and eventually lead to heart disease and stroke.
- Helps folic acid regulate the formation of red blood cells.
- Helps the utilization of iron and needed to prevent anemia.
- Helps the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
- Helps in cell formation, cellular longevity, fertility, and sleeping patterns.

Deficiency symptoms have been linked to;

- Chronic fatigue.
- Pernicious anemia.
- Depression, irritability, nervousness, moodiness, dizziness, drowsiness, memory loss, neurological damage, hallucinations, ringing in the ears, and headaches.
- Bone loss, spinal cord degeneration, and abnormal gait.
- Constipation and digestive disorders.
- Palpitations, labored breathing, enlargement of the liver, inflammation of the tongue, and eye disorders.

Vegetarians should remember that they require vitamin B12 and that B12 is found in animal tissues. The body can store up to 5 years worth of B12.

Biotin

- Helps cell formation and growth.
- Helps relieve muscle pain.
- Promotes healthy sweat glands, nerve tissue, and bone marrow.
- Helps the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
- Needed for health, hair, and skin and may prevent hair loss in some men.

Deficiency symptoms have been linked to;

- Can cause anemia, high blood sugar, inflammation, muscular pain, depression, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, hair loss, and soreness of the tongue.

Choline

- Research indicates that choline plays an important role in cardiovascular health, reproduction, and fetal development.
- Needed for the proper transmission of nerve impulses from the brain through the central nervous system.
- Helps for disorders of the nervous system such as Parkinson’s disease and tardive dyskinesia.
- May help prevent and treat arteriosclerosis.
- Needed for the gall bladder regulation, liver function, and lecithin formation.
- Helps hormone production.
- Helps in fat and cholesterol metabolism.
- Minimizes excess fat in the liver.
- Maybe needed for the metabolism of homocysteine.

Deficiency symptoms have been linked to;

- Brain function, cognitive ability, and memory can be impaired.
- May result in stunted growth, cardiac symptoms, high blood pressure, liver impairment, fatty buildup in the liver, Inability to digest fat, Gastric ulcers, and kidney impairment.

Folate

- Considered a brain food.
- Helps to regulate embryonic and fetal nerve cell formation, which is vital for normal development.
- Studies indicate that folate supplemenst in early pregnancy may prevent the majority of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
- Functions as a coenzyme in DNA and RNA synthesis.
- Important for healthy cell division and replication.
- Needed for the formation and function of white blood cells.
- Needed for energy production.
- Involved in protein metabolism.
- May be the most important nutrient in regulating homocysteine levels.
- High levels of homocycsteine have been found to be associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis.
- The body needs an adequate supply of folate, B6, and B12 to convert homocysteine into non-harmful amino acids.
- Studies have shown higher levels of homocysteine when folate, B6, and B12 are low.
- The decline in stroke related deaths are attributed to the decline in serum homocysteine levels.
- May help depression and anxiety.
- May help the treatment of uterine cervical dysplasia.

Deficiency symptoms have been linked to;

- Birth defects, growth impairment, memory problems, paranoia, insomnia, anemia, apathy, fatigue, digestive disturbance, graying hair, labored breathing, weakness, and sore red tongue,

Cooking or microwaving vegetables destroys folate.

Inositol

- Important for the metabolism of fat and cholesterol.
- Reduces cholesterol levels.
- Helps prevent hardening of the arteries.
- Helps remove fats from the liver.
- Important for hair.
- Has a calming effect.
- Important in the formation of lecithin.

Deficiency symptoms have been linked to;

- Can lead to arteriosclerosis, high blood cholesterol, skin eruptions, constipation, hair loss, compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, irritability, and mood swings.

Caffeine may cause a shortage of inositol.

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