Vitamin B-Complex overview
The B-Complex vitamins are a group of water soluble vitamins that play a key role in the functioning of the entire body and our overall health. They are essential to the health of our red blood cells and the conversion of food into energy as well as maintaining the health of skin, nerve function, the heart and muscles. They were originally thought of as a single vitamin, referred to as simply vitamin B, but later research showed they were chemically distinct vitamins that work together. Because these vitamins are essential throughout the whole body, they have a variety of health benefits between them.
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): essential for the production of energy from carbohydrates and helps to maintain healthy nerve function.
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): helps to maintain healthy eyes, skin and nervous system and is also involved in the catabolism of fatty acids.
- Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide): helps to produce energy from food and keeps the digestive system healthy.
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): is involved in the oxidation of fatty acids and carbohydrates, can speed up the wound healing process and can also reduce bad cholesterol levels.
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): allows the body to use and store energy from protein and carbohydrates, helps to form haemoglobin that carried oxygen around the body and is needed for neurotransmitters like serotonin.
- Vitamin B7 (Biotin): plays a key role in the metabolism of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates and high doses combined with chromium could improve blood sugar control.
- Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid): works with vitamin B12 to form healthy red blood cells and helps to reduce the risk of central nervous system defects. It can also lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and birth defects.
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin): works with vitamin B9 to form healthy red blood cells, helps to maintain a healthy nervous system and releases energy from food.