B complex vitamins are very important for the health and proper functioning of the body. In addition to helping the body produce energy and maintain cellular functions, the B vitamins can also improve the appearance of the hair and skin, speed up chemical reactions in cells and help fight infection and protect the body against disease.
Energy Production
Many of the B complex vitamins help the body produce energy and may relieve fatigue. Vitamin B2, also called riboflavin, is involved in the metabolic processes of the body and helps ensure that energy is produced efficiently. Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, speeds up chemical reactions that occur in the cells of the body, making processes run more efficiently so that energy is produced using the least possible amount of resources. Without enough vitamin B12, the body cannot produce energy efficiently, resulting in severe fatigue.
Hair, Nails & Skin
Vitamin B2 helps new body tissues develop, so it can also help with hair and nail growth. Vitamin B3 is used to improve the appearance or severity of some skin conditions. Vitamin B5 promotes faster healing of skin wounds. Vitamin B7 has important applications in medicine and in the beauty industry. Also called biotin, this vitamin can help improve the condition of brittle, splitting and thin fingernails and toenails. It can also make hair stronger and give it a healthier appearance. Vitamin B7 can be used to treat cradle cap, which is a scalp condition that affects infants.
Cholesterol Management
Vitamin B3 is also referred to by as niacin. One of the biggest benefits of niacin use is an increase in high-density lipoprotein, which is known as the good cholesterol in the body. Vitamin B6 assists in the production of vitamin B3 in the body, making it a necessary vitamin for managing cholesterol levels.
Cell Growth & Production
Several of the B vitamins assist in the production and growth of new cells. Riboflavin assists in the development of new cells. Pantothenic acid and pyridoxine help the bone marrow manufacture healthy red blood cells.
Disease Prevention & Treatment
The B complex vitamins can boost the immune system and some are used to treat existing conditions. Vitamin B6 boosts the immune system and makes it function more efficiently. Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is recommended for women of childbearing age because it can protect a fetus from neural tube defects that occur during development. Folic acid also reduces the risk for developing colon cancer and can protect the body from heart disease. Vitamin B12 is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer.
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