Available for purchase at most nutrition stores and vitamin aisles at many retail chain stores, B complex vitamins are a dietary supplement intended to boost your body's levels of B vitamins. B complex vitamins are especially important if you have a deficiency due to obtaining inadequate amounts of B vitamins from your diet. Understanding the vital role of each vitamin contained in B complex supplements is crucial to maintaining overall good health.
B Complex Vitamins
Dietary supplements sold as B complex generally contain the eight members of the B vitamin family. These include vitamins B-1, B-2, B-3, B-6 and B-12, which are also called thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, pyridoxine and cyanocobalamin, respectively, as well as the three other B family vitamins -- biotin, pantothenic acid and folate. B complex vitamins work together to maintain healthy skin, convert food into energy and for healthy nerve function.
Tissue, Nerve and Digestive Health
Included in B complex supplements, niacin and riboflavin have similar functions, which is to keep tissues, such as skin and the tongue, healthy. Riboflavin is instrumental in maintaining the health of the eyes, while niacin plays a key role in keeping cholesterol levels down, as well as promoting nerve health. Thiamin is vital for food digestion and appetite regulation.
Blood Cells and Healthy DNA
Essential for forming healthy red blood cells, folate -- often called folic acid -- also works together with vitamin B-12 for the vital purpose of producing cell DNA. Folate is especially important for pregnant mothers, since it helps prevent anemia, while helping create new cells in the developing baby. Folate deficiencies in expecting mothers can lead to birth defects, such as spina bifida, making folate a crucial B complex vitamin for women who are, or plan to become, pregnant.
Metabolism, Energy, and Growth
Metabolism is the process by which your body regulates processes such as muscle contraction, blood circulation and the conversion of food into energy. The B complex nutrients biotin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid and vitamin B1-2 are all key players in promoting healthy metabolism, helping to convert protein and carbohydrates into muscle and energy. Biotin, pantothenic acid and B-12 are also vital for normal growth, as they promote healthy hormone levels in the body.
B Vitamin Deficiency Testing
If you are concerned that you may be deficient in essential B vitamins, it is always a good idea to consult with your physician. Your doctor can order a blood test that will allow her to determine whether you have a deficiency in B vitamins, and whether a B complex supplement is enough for your individual health needs.
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