Vitamin B is a complex of several vitamins.
The name arises because it was once considered a single
vitamin, much like Vitamin C or Vitamin D. Since later research
has shown it is in fact a complex of chemically distinct
vitamins that happen to often coexist in the same foods,
the name has gradually declined in use, being replaced by
the generic term "the B vitamins", the vitamin
B complex, or by the specific names of each vitamin.
Contents [hide]
1 List of B vitamins
2 B vitamins Deficiency
3 Non-Human B Vitamins
4 Health Benefits
5 Vitamin B Sources
6 Source material
7 External links
List of B vitamins
Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine)
Vitamin B-2, (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B-3, also Vitamin P or Vitamin PP (Niacin)
Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic acid)
Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine and Pyridoxamine)
Vitamin B-7, also Vitamin H and Vitamin B-w (Biotin)
Vitamin B-9, also Vitamin M and Vitamin B-c (Folic acid)
- important for pregnancies
Vitamin B-12 (Cyanocobalamin)
[edit]
B vitamins Deficiency
Several named vitamin deficiency diseases may result from
the lack of sufficient B-vitamins.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) deficiency causes
Beriberi. Symptoms of this disease of the nervous system
include weight loss, emotional disturbances, Wernicke's
encephalopathy (impaired sensory perception), weakness
and pain in the limbs, periods of irregular heartbeat,
and edema (swelling of bodily tissues). Heart failure
and death may occur in advanced cases.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) deficiency causes Ariboflavinosis.
Symptoms may include cheilosis (cracks in the lips), angular
stomatitis, glossitis (inflammation of the tongue), seborrheic
dermatitis or pseudo-syphilis (particularly affecting
the scrotum or labia majora and the mouth), pharyngitis,
hyperemia, and edema of the pharyngeal and oral mucosa]].
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) deficiency, along with a deficiency
of tryptophan causes Pellagra. Symptoms include high sensitivity
to sunlight, aggression, dermatitis, insomnia, weakness,
mental confusion, and diarrhea. In advanced cases, pellagra
may lead to dementia and death.
Deficiencies of other B vitamins result in symptoms that
are not part of a named deficiency disease.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) deficiency
can result in Paresthesia, although it is uncommon.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) deficiency may
lead to anemia, depression, dermatitis, high blood pressure
(hypertension) and elevated levels of homocysteine.
Vitamin B8 deficiency does not typically
cause symptoms in adults but may lead to impaired growth
and neurological disorders in infants.
Vitamin B9 (Folic acid) deficiency results
in elevated levels of homocysteine.
Vitamin B11 (not Vitamin B9) deficiency
in pregnant women can lead to birth defects.
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) deficiency
causes pernicious anemia, memory loss and other cognitive
decline. It is most likely to occur among elderly people
as absorption through the gut declines with age. In extreme
(fortunately rare) cases paralysis can result.
Non-Human B Vitamins
Several other substances which are not human vitamins
have been referred to as B vitamins. Other B vitamins
have been renamed or renumbered. These include:
Vitamin B-4 (Adenine)
Vitamin B-7* — more commonly called Vitamin
I Rice bran anti digestive disterbance factor in Pigions
Vitamin B-8 (Ergadenylic acid)
Vitamin B-10, also PABA (para-Aminobenzoic acid)[ http://www.althealth.co.uk/services/info/supplements/vitamin_b10_1.php]
Vitamin B-11 (Pteryl-hepta-glutamic acidwhich
is a form of Folic acid, also Vitamin S, )
Vitamin B-13 (Pyrimidinecarboxylic acid
or orotic acid, often misspelled erotic acid)
Vitamin B-14 — an antitumor pterin phosphate
named by Norris but latter abandoned by him as further
evidence did not comfirm this.
Vitamin B-15 (Pangamic acid) which is
chemicaly diffrent to dimethylgycine [1]
Vitamin B-16 DMG dimethylgycine (however
Lipoic acid was discovered after B15 and before B17
Vitamin B-17 (Amygdalin)
Vitamin B-22, often claimed as an ingredient
of Aloe vera extracts
Vitamin B-h another name for(biotin)
[2]
Vitamin B-t (L-carnitine)
Vitamin B-x, also PABA (para-Aminobenzoic
acid)
Health Benefits
The B vitamins often work together to deliver a number
of health benefits to the body. B vitamins have been shown
to:
Bolster metabolism
Maintain healthy skin and muscle tone
Enhance immune and nervous system function
Promote cell growth and division — including that of the
red blood cells that help prevent anemia.
Together, they also help combat the symptoms and causes
of stress, depression, and cardiovascular disease.
All B vitamins are water soluble, and are dispersed throughout
the body and must be replenished daily with any excess
excreted in the urine (which turns a bright yellow color).
Vitamin B Sources
Vitamin B comes from a number of natural sources, including
potatoes, bananas, cereal, lentils, chili peppers, tempeh,
liver, turkey, and tuna. Nutritional yeast (or Brewer's
yeast) is an especially good source of Vitamin B.
Another popular means of increasing one's Vitamin B intake
is through supplements, purchased at supermarkets, health
centers, or natural food stores.
Source material
Linda Clark's "Know your Nutrition"
