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Vitamin B1
(thiamine):
Vitamin B1 may help naturally combat the negative effects of stress
while supporting healthy energy levels, a proper nervous system, and
muscle function. Vitamin B-1 plays an important part in the breakdown of
foods, especially carbohydrates. It helps the body convert carbohydrates
into glucose, which is then used to produce energy.
Vitamin B-1 is considered an "anti-stress" vitamin because it supports
proper nervous system and muscle functioning and may enhance the body's
ability to withstand stressful conditions. Vitamin B-1 is also necessary
for the production of hydrochloric acid, making it important for proper
digestion. Because Vitamin B-1 is water soluble, it's not stored in the
body and must be replenished daily. Although thiamine deficiency is
rare, it can result in serious health complications involving the
nervous system, brain, muscles, heart and gastrointestinal system.
Individuals who consume heavy amounts of alcohol or who are chronically
malnourished may have a higher-than-usual need for vitamin B-1.
Vitamin B2
(riboflavin): Vitamin B6 is a precursor to coenzymes involved
in the growth and repair of skin and tissues lining the gastrointestinal
tract, as well as the synthesis of amino acids. B2 is necessary for the
formation of pigments essential to vision.
Vitamin B3 (niacinamide):
Niacin is an essential B vitamin that plays many roles, including
promoting cardiovascular, brain, digestive and skin health. Niacin is
involved in numerous reactions inside of cells that convert food into
cellular energy. Niacin is also involved in the activity of enzymes that
transport and break down fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and other
molecules formed from food. No-flush niacin is a form of niacin that is
inositol bound. No-flush niacin may be better tolerated because it is
does not produce gastrointestinal discomfort, or have the characteristic
"flush" of producing red and itchy face and neck. Niacin is particularly
helpful in promoting healthy cholesterol levels. A normal function of
niacin is to help remove fats (triglycerides) from tissues and the
bloodstream.
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic
acid): Vitamin B5 is vital for growth,
reproduction, and normal physiological functions. B5 helps the body to combat stress
and is vital for growth, reproduction, and normal
physiological functions, such as the production, transporting, and
release of energy from fats. B5 is the nutrient responsible for
activating the adrenal glands, which help the body to combat stress.
When it comes to the body's energy metabolism, B5 plays a very important
role. It is a necessary factor for the Kreb's cycle of energy
production, and together with vitamins B1, B2, and B3, helps to produce
ATP, the body's fuel for energy. B5 is required for the synthesis of
lipids, as well as the production of steroids and neurotransmitters.
Vitamin B5 is needed to make the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which
transports information between vertebral nerve cells. This vitamin also
plays a large role in cholesterol management, by synthesizing
cholesterol, which is needed to produce vitamin D and steroid hormones.
One by-product of pantothenic acid, pantethine, may help lower blood
levels of both cholesterol and triglycerides.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine
HCl): performs
a wide variety of functions in your body and is essential for your good
health. Vitamin B6 is needed for more than 100 enzymes involved in protein
metabolism. It is also essential for red blood cell metabolism. The nervous
and immune systems need vitamin B6 to function efficiently, and it is also
needed for the conversion of tryptophan (an amino acid) to niacin.
Your body needs vitamin B6 to make hemoglobin which carries oxygen to
tissues. Vitamin B6 also helps increase the amount of oxygen carried by
hemoglobin. A vitamin B6 deficiency can result in a form of anemia that is
similar to iron deficiency anemia. Vitamin B6, through its involvement
in protein metabolism and cellular growth, is important to the immune
system. It helps maintain the health of lymphoid organs (thymus, spleen, and
lymph nodes) that make your white blood cells. Animal studies show that a
vitamin B6 deficiency can decrease your antibody production and suppress
your immune response.
Vitamin B6 also helps maintain your blood glucose (sugar) within a normal
range. When caloric intake is low your body needs vitamin B6 to help convert
stored carbohydrate or other nutrients to glucose to maintain normal blood
sugar levels.
Vitamin B12
(cyanocobalamin):
Vitamin B12
helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. It is also needed to
help make DNA, the genetic material in all cells.
B12 protects brain cells and nerve tissue and promotes better sleep.
Folic acid (folate): A B-complex vitamin which is needed to
manufacture red blood cells. Folic acid contributes to the production of
DNA and RNA and is during times of infancy, adolescence and pregnancy.
It also works with vitamin B-12 to regulate the formation of red blood
cells and to help iron function properly in the body.
Biotin: Works synergistically with pantothenic acid to contribute to
the production of many important enzymes. It functions as a coenzyme for
carbon dioxide transfer and is essential to fat and carbohydrate
metabolism. |
