Understanding Vitamin B

The B Vitamins are one of the essential vitamins that are necessary for human health. Each of these vitamins plays an important role in our health. When your levels of any one of them drop below what your body requires, you leave yourself vulnerable for numerous health conditions. Let us take a look at what you need to know about these essential vitamins.

Thiamine is also known as B1. Vitamin B2 is termed as Riboflavin. Vitamin B3 is also called Niacin and it consists of nicotinamide and nicotinic acid. Vitamin B5 is called Pantothenic acid. Pyridoxine is most commonly known as B6. Vitamin B7 is Vitamin H or Biotin. Vitamin B9 is likewise known as Vitamin M, Vitamin B-c or Folic Acid. Vitamin B12 is also Cobalamin. Each vitamin is important to your health. When devoid of sufficient quantity, you can develop a Vitamin B insufficiency.

A Vitamin B1 insufficiency will cause Beriberi, which impacts your nervous system. Some of the signs and symptoms of beriberi are edema, poor perception, psychological issues, weight loss and aching limbs. When left untreated, this may lead to heart failure or death. Korsakoff’s syndrome, due to chronic thiamine deficiency, is an incurable psychosis with signs of amnesia and false memory. Ariboflavinosis will occur if you have a Riboflavin deficiency. This may result in cracked lips, seborrheic dermatis, sensitivity to sunlight and dermatis. Niacin insufficiency together with tryptophan deficiency causes pellagra. Patients suffering from pellagra have dermatitis, insomnia, mental confusion, aggression, diarrhea and profound weakness. In severe circumstances, dementia and death may happen. Acne and paresthesia result from Vitamin B5 deficiency. Decreased level of pyridoxine in the body may cause anemia, dermatitis, depression, high blood pressure and water retention. Vitamin B7 insufficiency does not have definite symptoms but can impair growth in infants and may cause neurological disorders. Macrocytic anemia is seen in Vitamin B9 deficiency. Pregnant women are also at high risk for this can cause birth defects. Macrocytic anemia, memory loss, increased homocysteine and other cognitive deficits are consequences of Cobalamin deficiency. These symptoms can arise due to several factors. You you are experiencing anxiety, it is always a good idea to seek medical advise.

B12 deficiency symptoms are usually alleviated by eating nutritive foods. In addition to supplements, foods like potatoes, liver, meat, fish, lentils, bananas and brewer’s yeast are good sources of the B Vitamins. Vitamin B12 is found in meat, fish and dairy products. Most energy drinks are also fortified with Vitamin B.