Vitamin supplements or those obtained naturally from foods are important to brain function. Vitamins are required for embryonic development of the entire central nervous system as well as for normal processes in the adult brain. Lack of certain vitamins in the fetus or adult can cause problems which may result in severe neurological consequences.
Folic Acid
Folic acid, also called vitamin B9, is found in foods obtained from plants and animals as the chemical folate. It is especially present in large quantities in foods such as beef liver, cowpeas, asparagus, spinach, beans, peas, broccoli and egg noodles, according to the National Institutes of Health. Breakfast cereals fortified with this vitamin also are a good nutritional source. Folic acid's primary function is to make DNA and maintain cell metabolism. In the embryo, this vitamin is required for normal development of the spinal cord and brain. As the primitive central nervous system begins to grow, a structure called the neural forms. Folic acid allows the neural tube to develop normally. However, if the mother's diet has insufficient levels of folic acid, then neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida or anencephaly can result. These are when spinal or brain tissues, respectively become exposed to the outside of the body, producing severe and debilitating neurological dysfunction. To avoid these problems, the NIH says that pregnant women should have 600 mcg of folic acid in their daily diet.
Vitamin B6
B6 is a water-soluble vitamin found naturally in foods as the chemicals pyridoxal, pyridoxamine and pyridoxine. It is in high concentrations in baked potato, garbanzo beans, bananas, pork loin, chicken breast, roast beef, trout, sunflower seeds and some vegetables. It is also available in high concentrations in breakfast cereals fortified with vitamin B6. The NIH states that vitamin B6 has an important role in producing enzymes and proteins. It also is important in the synthesis of dopamine and serotonin, two brain neurotransmitters. The NIH says that depression, Parkinson's disease, seizures, headache and chronic pain may be influenced by vitamin B6. The adult recommended dietary allowance for this vitamin is 1.3 mg for women and men, age 19 to 50. For those older than 50, the RDA is 1.5 mg for women and 1.7 mg for men.
Vitamin B12
B12 is another water-soluble vitamin which occurs in high concentrations in foods such as beef liver, clams, trout, salmon, haddock, tuna, yogurt and milk. Breakfast cereals fortified with vitamin B12 are also an abundant source. This vitamin's main function involves DNA synthesis and manufacture of red blood cells. In the brain, insufficiency of vitamin B12 may result in problems in the central and peripheral nervous systems, says Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellness. In particular, B12 insufficiency can result in problems such as psychosis and dementia. Other problems such as spasticity, walking difficulty and loss of coordination also can result from insufficiency. Severe insufficiency can result in numbness, weakness and problems with the genitourinary systems. The NIH lists the adult RDA for vitamin B6 as 2.4 mcg.
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
Member Comments