Vitamins play an important role in maintaining the normal functioning of various tissues in the body. Their role in maintaining normality in the nervous system is highlighted when a person has a vitamin deficiency. Different neurological consequences can result, causing a range of problems from sensory and motor dysfunction to cognitive impairment.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is also known as vitamin B9. It is available as a supplement or can be obtained naturally from some foods as the chemical folate. The National Institutes of Health says that folic acid must be converted by the liver because it is not otherwise biologically active. A primary role of folic acid is in cell reproduction and is required for DNA synthesis and other metabolic processes in the cell. Folic acid also has a major function in coordinating formation of the fetal nervous system. The neural tube of the embryo forms what will be the fetus's nervous system. Folic acid is required to complete the normal development of the neural tube. Deficiency of this vitamin in the mother's diet can result in different malformations in the neural tube. The result in the fetus can be spina bifida, which is an incomplete closure of the spine. Also, incomplete closure at the head can lead to anencephaly, where the brain can be exposed through the skull. To avoid these defects, it is recommended that the mother take 600 micrograms of folic acid per day.
Vitamin B6
The water soluble chemical known as vitamin B6 occurs in three forms; pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine. The Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health says this vitamin naturally occurs is certain foods like poultry, fish, meats, fruits vegetables and beans. Oral supplements and fortified foods are also good sources for vitamin B6. A major role of this vitamin is formation of enzymes needed for protein metabolism as well as specific roles in immune function and red blood cell metabolism. Vitamin B6 also helps to form neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. This role is likely related to its involvement in depression, seizures, headache, chronic pain and Parkinson's disease. (ref 1) Vitamin B6 deficiency can cause neuropathy although high does can be the cause of neuropathy. This characteristic of the chemical is still controversial. Vitamin B6 was also once recommended for treating carpal tunnel syndrome but research has not proven it to be effective for this purpose. The Office of Dietary Supplements suggests that the adult limit for vitamin B6 supplements is 100mg per day.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is water soluble chemical available as a dietary supplement and naturally occurs in some animal products such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs and milk products. This vitamin is involved in maintaining normal cell functions which include formation of red blood cells and DNA synthesis. Another major role for vitamin B12 is maintaining normal function of the nervous system. The Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellness says that deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to various problems in the central and peripheral nervous systems. In the central nervous system psychosis and dementia can result from vitamin B12 insufficiency. In the spinal cord, insufficiency can lead to degeneration of nerve cells causing spasticity, lack of coordination and problems with walking. In the peripheral nervous system insufficient vitamin B12 can result in weakness and numbness in the limbs, as well genitourinary dysfunction. The Office of Dietary Supplements suggests that the adult daily intake of vitamin B12 should be 2.4 micrograms.
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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