Small daily doses of certain vitamins can have profound effects on the body. In particular, the nervous system can be markedly affected by a deficiency in these vitamins. Thus, the key to most of these effects is prevention. Vitamins can be found in foods, but most people find it easier to take oral supplements.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble chemical that exists in three forms: pyridoxal, pyridoxine and pyridoxamine, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health. This vitamin occurs naturally in some foods and can also be taken as a dietary supplement. Vitamin B6 plays an integral role in making enzymes for protein metabolism and is important for the normal functioning of the immune system as well as red blood cell metabolism. In the nervous system, vitamin B6 is responsible for making neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine and may play a role in problems like seizures, depression, chronic pain, headache and Parkinson's disease. Lack of vitamin B6 may result in neuropathy, although too high a dose can result in neuropathy as well. This is still controversial. The established limit for vitamin B6 supplements is 100 mg per day for adults, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Also, while vitamin B6 was first recommended to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, studies show that such use may not be effective.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble chemical that is found naturally in some foods and is available as a dietary supplement. Vitamin B12 is responsible for normal maintenance of a various cell functions including red blood cell formation and DNA synthesis. Another major function of vitamin B12 is maintenance of normal neurological function. According to the Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellness, this is because vitamin B12 deficiency can result in different forms of brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve dysfunctions. In the brain, vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to dementia and psychosis. In the spinal cord, deficiency can result in degeneration of the spinal cord, lack of coordination, spasticity and walking difficulty. In peripheral nerves, vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to sensory abnormalities such as numbness and motor weakness, in addition to impotence and urinary or fecal incontinence. The established limit for vitamin B12 supplements is 2.4 micrograms per day for adults, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.
Folic Acid
Folic acid, or vitamin B9, can come from supplements or from food as natural occurring folate. According to the National Institutes of Health, folic acid is not biologically active and therefore must be converted in the liver to achieve its active form. Folic acid is needed by cells to reproduce. Thus, it is important in DNA synthesis and other processes involving cell metabolism. A major role of folic acid is coordinating development of the embryonic nervous system. Specifically, the neural tube or precursor of the nervous system requires folic acid. Deficiency of folic acid in the mother's blood can result in malformations of the neural tube. This leads to spina bifida as well as anencephaly in the newborn. Folic acid doses of 600 micrograms per day in the mother's diet can prevent such deformities.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B6
- Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellness
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B12
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Folate
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