Vitamin B Family
Vitamin B is a large group of water-soluble vitamins that are all part of the Vitamin group complex. Each vitamin in the Vitamin B family has a purpose or role in our bodies. To fully understand the family, it’s important to know what Vitamins all belong in this group in addition to any other names that are used to refer to them.
Vitamin B1 is also called Thiamine. Vitamin B2 is called Riboflavin. Vitamin B3 is called Niacin, which includes nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. Vitamin B5 is called Pantothenic acid. Vitamin B6 is Pyridoxine. Vitamin B7 is called Vitamin H or Biotin. Vitamin B9 is also called Vitamin M, Vitamin B-c or Folic Acid. Vitamin B12 is called cobalamin. Each of these different vitamins is important in their own right. Without the adequate amount of these on a daily basis, you can develop a Vitamin B deficiency.
Vitamin B Deficiencies
Vitamin B1 deficiency will cause beriberi, which is a disease affecting the nervous system. Symptoms of beriberi are weight loss, weakness and pain in the limbs, emotional disturbances, impaired sensory perception, and edema. Hearth failure or death may occur in the later stages of beriberi. Chronic thiamine deficiency can cause Korsakoff’s syndrome, a incurable psychosis with symptoms of amnesia and false memory. Deficiencies of Vitamin B2 can cause ariboflavinosis, which will have symptoms of cracked lips, inflammation of the tongue, sensitivity to sunlight, seborrheic dermatitis, pseudo-syphilis affecting the mouth and scrotum.
Vitamin B3 deficiency, when combined with a tryptophan deficiency, can cause pellagra. Symptoms of pellagra are dermatitis, aggression, insomnia, mental confusion, weakness and diarrhea. In severe cases, dementia and death may occur. Deficiency of Vitamin B5 can result in acne and paresthesia. Vitamin B6 deficiency can cause anemia, dermatitis, depression, high blood pressure and water retention. Vitamin B7 deficiency doesn’t have any specific symptoms but can cause impaired growth in infants as well as neurological disorders. Deficiencies in Vitamin B9 can cause macrocytic anemia. In pregnant women, it may cause birth defects. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause macrocytic anemia, memory loss, elevated homocysteine and other cognitive deficits.
It’s important to realize that any of these symptoms can be caused by numerous other factors. If you have concerns, see your doctor before you make any assumptions that may be harmful to your health.
Vitamin B Sources
In addition to dietary supplements of Vitamin B, many food sources are rich in this vitamin. Some of the natural sources are potatoes, lentils, bananas, liver oil, chili peppers, turkey, liver, molasses, tuna and brewer’s yeast. You may also find many energy drinks that are fortified with Vitamin B.
