Vitamin B-50 is not a single chemical but a complex of B-vitamins comprised of 50 mcg or mg, depending on the particular vitamin, of each essential B-vitamin. These include vitamins B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-6, B-7, B-9, and B-12. This complex is formulated as such because B vitamins work better in the body when taken together. The multitude of functions mediated by B-vitamins illustrates how important it is to get a regular daily supply.
Preventing Birth Defects
Vitamin B-9, also called folic acid is crucial in preventing certain birth defects, according to the National Institutes of Health -- NIH. This vitamin is required for the embryo's central nervous system to form properly. A dietary deficiency of vitamin B-9 in the mother can result in two types of birth defects, spina bifida and anencephaly, the result of the spinal cord or brain, respectively not forming inside their bony cavities. Instead, part or all of these structures become exposed to the baby's exterior surface. The result is severe neurological impairment or even death.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance, RDA, for vitamin B-9 in pregnant women is 600 mcg. B-9 can be found in supplements and in foods such as fortified breakfast cereals, beef liver and cowpeas.
Nervous System Functions
The family of B-vitamins is important to a number of neurological functions throughout the body. Vitamin B-6 or pyridoxine may contribute to headache, depression, Parkinson's disease, seizures and other neurological problems, says NIH. It also is needed for synthesizing two important brain neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine, which are necessary for nerve cells in the brain to communicate. Vitamin B-12 also prevents nerve damage and may reverse some of the effects of Bell's palsy. A diet deficient in vitamin B-12 may cause problems such as leg or arm spasticity, difficulty in walking or problems with bowel movements and the genitourinary system. Vitamin B-1, or thiamine, may help with the brain's cognitive activity.
Other Functions
Vitamin B-9 is the only B-vitamin to conclusively demonstrate a lower risk of cancer when taken in the recommended amounts, according the American Cancer Society. Vitamin B-6 is a required component for making proteins and for the cell's enzyme metabolism, says the NIH. Vitamin B-12 in the diet can help prevent anemia. It is also a necessary part of the DNA synthesis process and, along with vitamin B-2, riboflavin, is important for creating new red blood cells. Vitamin B-5, pantothenic acid, also helps to prevent anemia and is required by the immune system and the gastrointestinal tract to main normal function. Vitamin B-1 enhances the circulation of blood throughout the body.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B6
- American Cancer Society
- 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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