Effects Of B Complex Vitamins

The B complex vitamins are a group of eight closely related micronutrients that support a variety of body functions. The B complex vitamins include B1 or thiamine; B2 or riboflavin; B3 or niacin; B5 or pantothenic acid; B6 or pyridoxine; B7 or biotin; B9 or folate; and B12 or cobalamin. An ongoing supply of B complex vitamins must come from the diet or supplements to enable the many beneficial effects of these micronutrients.

Red Blood Cell Production

Vitamins B12 and B9 prove essential for the normal production of red blood cells. The bone marrow utilizes the vitamins to manufacture the genetic matter needed for new blood cells. A deficiency of vitamin B12, B9 or both leads to a shortage of red blood cells, or anemia, reports New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Replenishment of the deficient vitamins typically leads to recovery of normal bone marrow productivity and resolution of the anemia.

Hemoglobin Production

Vitamin B6 aids in bone marrow production of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying substance within red blood cells, explains the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin B6 deficiency causes reduced red blood cell production and anemia. Vitamin B6 supplementation restores normal hemoglobin production, leading to resolution of the anemia.

Brain and Spinal Cord Development

Vitamin B9 supports the normal development of the brain and spinal cord during the initial weeks of pregnancy. During this early developmental period, cells destined to become the brain and spinal cord utilize folate to support rapid growth and maturation.

The children of women with low levels of folate during the early weeks of pregnancy have an increased risk of spinal cord and brain birth defects, reports the Harvard School of Public Health. Since 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires the addition of folic acid --- the supplement form of folate --- to certain breads, cereals and grain products. The FDA established the folic acid fortification program in an effort to reduce the number of babies born with brain and spinal cord birth defects.

Nerve Protection

The body utilizes vitamin B12 to produce the nerve-insulating substance myelin. Similar to the insulation on electrical wires, myelin protects the nerves and speeds the conduction of electrical signals between the body and brain. A vitamin B12 deficiency commonly causes nervous system abnormalities, such as numbness, tingling, impaired balance and confusion. A chronic vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to permanent nerve, spinal cord and brain damage, reports the University of Chicago Center for Peripheral Neuropathy.

Healthy Skin and Mucous Membranes

B complex vitamins help maintain the skin and moist lining tissues of the body, known as the mucous membranes. Deficiencies of various B complex vitamins often cause skin and mucous membrane-related symptoms, including skin scaling and thickening, sores at the corners of the mouth and tongue irritation, reports Colorado State University. Correction of the vitamin deficiency typically leads to rapid resolution of the skin and mucous membrane symptoms.