| The B vitamins are integral to body | | | | genetic instructions used in the |
| growth and development. They play a | | | | development and functioning of all |
| great part in the activities of enzymes | | | | living organisms known to man. The body |
| that regulate chemical reactions in our | | | | uses vitamin B12 to help produce blood |
| body. Different B vitamins exist in | | | | cells and uses it in nervous system |
| various animal and plant foods. Examples | | | | functions. |
| of some of these are cereals and whole | | | | Since the B vitamins are water-soluble, |
| grains, pork, seafood, eggs and liver. | | | | they do not remain stored in the body if |
| They are also in dairy products, dried | | | | too much of them are ingested. The |
| beans, chicken, watermelon and | | | | exceptions are B12 and folate (B9), |
| grapefruit to name a few among the many | | | | which the liver stores. The body |
| sources. Supplements are another great | | | | eliminates most of any extra amounts of |
| way to ingest B vitamins. | | | | the rest of the B vitamins through the |
| These vitamins consist of a group of | | | | urine. However, it's wise to take only |
| eight water-soluble nutrients: | | | | what your particular system requires |
| * B1 - Thiamine | | | | when it comes to these vitamins. |
| * B2 - Riboflavin | | | | Because the body uses the B vitamins to |
| * B3 - Niacin | | | | aid so many vital functions, certain |
| * B5 - Pantothenic Acid | | | | things happen when the body does not get |
| * B6 - Pyridoxine | | | | enough of them. Some people may |
| * B7 - Biotin | | | | experience numbness and tingling in |
| * B9 - Folic Acid, Folate | | | | their arms and legs if they're deficient |
| * B12 - Cobalamin | | | | in B vitamins. Muscle cramps can occur |
| When the body takes in these B vitamins, | | | | as well as tiredness. Anemia is a |
| it uses them in different ways. The body | | | | concern if a person does not get enough |
| uses B1 and B2 to affect enzymes | | | | of these vitamins, as is depression. |
| (proteins) that have an influence on | | | | Loss of appetite and abdominal pain are |
| muscles and nerves. When B1, thiamin, | | | | symptoms of vitamin B deficiency as |
| enters the system, the body uses it to | | | | well. Therefore, it is important that |
| help convert glucose into energy. It | | | | one ingest the B vitamins on a regular |
| uses B2 to help repair hair, skin and | | | | basis. |
| nails. Vitamin B3 helps maintain skin | | | | Just eating foods that contain these B |
| health and digestive functions. This | | | | vitamins prepared in any manner is not |
| vitamin also helps maintain the health | | | | enough. Because the body uses these |
| of the body's nervous system. Vitamin B5 | | | | vitamins to support important functions, |
| affects the body's normal growth and | | | | it needs them in full measure. Extended |
| development overall. | | | | cooking times and food processing can |
| The body uses B6 to break down protein | | | | dilute the strength and concentration of |
| and to maintain the health of the red | | | | these vitamins. Alcohol can diminish |
| blood cells. It also uses this kind of B | | | | their useful effects too. |
| vitamin to keep the nervous system and | | | | The right amounts of B vitamins on a |
| components of the immune system healthy. | | | | regular basis are part of a |
| The B7 vitamin helps the body produce | | | | comprehensive health strategy. The body |
| hormones. It also helps it break down | | | | uses the required amounts efficiently to |
| carbohydrates and proteins. The B9 | | | | promote overall health. Used in |
| vitamin also helps the production of red | | | | conjunction with the other vitamins and |
| blood cells. The body uses B9 in its | | | | minerals we need, the B vitamins can |
| cells so they can manufacture and | | | | make daily living that much more |
| maintain DNA. This DNA contains the | | | | energetic. |