Water-soluble vitamins, which include the B vitamins and vitamin C, are not stored in the body, so you need a daily supply to meet the body's demands. The eight B vitamins are grouped together because of their common traits and functions, note the authors of "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy."
Energy Metabolism
The B vitamins help turn food into energy. The B vitamin thiamin is most strongly linked to carbohydrate metabolism. Niacin plays a role in reactions releasing energy from carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Riboflavin is part of a coenzyme responsible for catalyzing the first reaction in the metabolism of glucose.
Components of Coenzymes
Many of the B vitamins make up components of enzymes. Coenzymes link to enzymes and assist with catalyzing biochemical reactions. Thiamin is part of a coenzyme vital for tissue respiration. Riboflavin is part of the coenzyme structure FMN and FAD. These coenzymes form part of the flavoprotein enzymes that catalyze the oxidation-reduction reactions in cells. These oxidation-reduction reactions make up part of your metabolism. Vitamin B6 serves as a coenzyme for phosphorylase and assists with the release of stored glucose from the liver and muscle.
Support Growth and Development
Both the B vitamins and vitamin C are essential for normal growth and development. Vitamin C is responsible for the growth and repair of body tissue. It is also needed for the formation of collagen, the protein that makes up the skin. Folate, a B vitamin, is essential in making red and white blood cells. Inadequate intakes of folate lead to growth delays.
Protect Cells
Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, protecting cells from oxidative damage by free radicals. Preventing oxidation of your protects you from certain effects of aging, heart disease and some cancers.
Formation of DNA
The B vitamins folate and vitamin B12 both play a role in the formation of DNA. Folate is needed to make guanine and adenine, two of the chemical bases needed to form DNA. Vitamin B12 assists with the transfer of methyl groups to make the nucleic acids necessary for DNA synthesis.
References
- Medline Plus: B Vitamins
- Medline Plus: Vitamin C
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy"; L. Kathleen Mahan, Sylvia Escott-Stump; 1996
- Chemistry Explained: Coenzymes
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