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Help With Vitamin B Complex

Jul 3, 2011 | By Kathryn Gilhuly
Help With Vitamin B Complex
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All of the B vitamins promote digestion, helping you to convert carbohydrates to sugar and metabolize fats and proteins. Some B vitamins improve the health of your hair, skin and eyes and some treat specific medical conditions. Ask your doctor before taking vitamin B complex and, if you believe the supplement may help you, don't exceed recommended doses. Taking large doses of some B vitamins may put you at risk for serious medical problems, including heart disease and liver impairment.

Vitamin B Complex

Vitamin B complex may contain some or all of these B vitamins: B-1, thiamine; B-2, riboflavin; B-3, niacin; B-5, pantothenic acid; B-6, pyridoxine; B-12, cyanocabalamin and folic acid. Some B complex supplements also contain biotin, choline bitartrate and inosiitol. Common food sources for vitamin B include eggs, milk and other dairy products, meat, poultry, nuts and seeds. Older adults, persons who drink excessive amounts of alcohol and vegans may not get enough of some of the B vitamins through their diets.

Vitamins B-1 and B-2

To weigh the benefits of taking vitamin B complex, it helps to understand the value of each of the B vitamins. Vitamin B-1 -- thamine -- can prevent and treat a disorder called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, associated with alcoholism. It may also help treat symptoms of some genetic disorders, including maple urine disease and Leigh's disease, and may prevent cataracts. Persons with type 2 diabetes may take vitamin B-1 to prevent kidney disease.

Riboflavin -- vitamin B-2 -- may help to prevent cataracts and migraine headaches. Lesser evidence suggests vitamin B-2 may also help prevent cervical cancer and treat lactic acidosis, a blood imbalance associated with AIDs.

Vitamins B-3 and B-5

Vitamin B-3 -- niacin -- comes in two types: niacin and niacinamide. It may help to know that if you take a vitamin B complex, it likely contains niacinamide. Both types of vitamin B-3 promote healthy liver and nervous system function. Niacin can help treat cholesterol, and niacinamide can help treat type 1 diabetes and arthritis. Both niacin and niacinamide, if taken in large doses for a long time, can cause stomach ulcers, gout, loss of vision and liver damage.

Pantothenic acid -- vitamin B-5 -- proves helpful in treating skin reactions among persons undergoing radiation therapy. Some limited evidence suggests that vitamin B-5 may treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Vitamins B-6 and B-12

Vitamin B-6 helps your body convert tryptophan, an enzyme found in poultry, into niacin -- B-3. It also helps your body use more than 100 enzymes that aid the metabolism of protein and proves essential in helping you body metabolize red blood cells. Vitamin B-6 supports your immune system and helps you stabilize your blood sugar levels.

Vitamin B-12 helps your body make red blood cells. Although you can obtain most of the B vitamins on a vegan diet, you may not get enough vitamin B-12 if your diet excludes dairy and eggs as well as animal products. Persons older than 50 may also suffer from vitamin B-12 deficiencies. If you believe some of the B vitamins might help you, ask your doctor whether to take vitamin B complex or individual B vitamins.

References

Article reviewed by GlennK Last updated on: Jul 3, 2011

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