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Summary
There are eight B-group vitamins, which are essential for bodily functions such as energy production and making red blood cells. These water-soluble vitamins are easily destroyed when cooking or processing food. If planning a pregnancy, women should consider taking folic acid (folate) supplements to reduce the risk of conditions such as spina bifida in the baby.
Vitamins naturally occur in food and are needed in very small amounts for various bodily functions such as energy production and making red blood cells. There are 13 vitamins that our body needs, eight of which make up the B-group (or B-complex) vitamins.
The B-group vitamins do not provide the body with fuel for energy, even though supplement advertisements often claim they do. It is true though that without B-group vitamins the body lacks energy. The body uses energy-yielding nutrients such as carbohydrates, fat and protein for fuel. The B-group vitamins help the body to use that fuel. Other B-group vitamins play necessary roles such as helping cells to multiply by making new DNA.
Vitamin B in food
Even though the B-group vitamins are found in many foods, they are water soluble and delicate. They are easily destroyed, particularly by alcohol and cooking. Food processing can also reduce the amount of B-group vitamins in foods, making white flours, breads and rice less nutritious than their wholegrain counterparts.
The body has a limited capacity to store most of the B-group vitamins (except B12 and folate, which are stored in the liver). A person who has a poor diet for a few months may end up with B-group vitamins deficiency. For this reason it is important that adequate amounts of these vitamins be eaten regularly as part of a well-balanced, nutritious diet.
Vitamin B supplements
Taking B-group vitamin supplements can sometimes mask deficiencies of other vitamins. It is also important not to self-diagnose a vitamin deficiency because some vitamins can be toxic if taken incorrectly. See your doctor or dietitian for advice.
The eight B-group vitamins
There are eight types of vitamin B:
1. Thiamin
2. Riboflavin
3. Niacin
4. Pantothenic acid
5. Biotin
6. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
7. Folate (called folic acid when included in supplements)
8. Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin).
Thiamin ~
Thiamin helps to convert glucose into energy and has a role in nerve function.
- Good sources of thiamin – include wholemeal cereal grains, seeds (especially sesame seeds), legumes, wheatgerm, nuts, yeast and pork. In Australia, it is mandatory that white and wholemeal flour used for bread is fortified with thiamin.
- Thiamin deficiency – is generally found in countries where the dietary staple is white rice. Deficiencies in the Western world are generally caused by excessive alcohol intake and a very poor diet. Symptoms include confusion and irritability, poor arm or leg (or both) coordination, lethargy, fatigue and muscle weakness.
- ‘Wet’ and ‘dry’ beriberi – this is caused by thiamin deficiency and affects the cardiovascular, muscular, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. As well as the above symptoms, a person with ‘dry’ beriberi may have nerve degeneration, nervous tingling throughout the body, poor arm and leg coordination, and deep pain in the calf muscles. Symptoms of ‘wet’ beriberi include an enlarged heart, heart failure and severe oedema (swelling).
- Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome – this is a thiamin-deficiency disease linked to alcohol excess and a thiamin-deficient diet. Alcohol reduces thiamin absorption in the gut and increases its excretion from the kidneys. Symptoms of the disease is include involuntary movement of the eyeball, paralysis of the eye muscle, staggering and mental confusion.
Riboflavin ~
Riboflavin is primarily involved in energy production and helps vision and skin health.
- Good sources of riboflavin – include milk, yoghurt, cottage cheese, wholegrain breads and cereals, egg white, leafy green vegetables, meat, yeast, liver and kidney.
- Riboflavin deficiency (ariboflavinosis) –is rare and is usually seen along with other B-group vitamin deficiencies. People at risk include those who consume excessive amounts of alcohol and those who do not consume milk or milk products. Symptoms include an inflamed tongue (painful, smooth, purple-red tongue), cracks and redness in the tongue and corners of the mouth, anxiety, inflamed eyelids and sensitivity to light, hair loss, reddening of the cornea and skin rash.
Niacin ~
Niacin is essential for the body to convert carbohydrates, fat and alcohol into energy. It helps maintain skin health and supports the nervous and digestive systems. Unlike other B-group vitamins, niacin is very heat stable and little is lost in cooking.
- Good sources of niacin – include meats, fish, poultry, milk, eggs, wholegrain breads and cereals, nuts, mushrooms and all protein-containing foods.
- Excessive intake – large doses of niacin produce a drug-like effect on the nervous system and on blood fats. While favourable changes in blood fats are seen, side effects include flushing, itching, nausea and potential liver damage.
- Niacin deficiency (pellagra) – people who drink excessive amounts of alcohol or live on a diet almost exclusively based on corn are at risk of pellagra. The main symptoms of pellagra are commonly referred to as the three Ds – dementia, diarrhoea and dermatitis. Other symptoms include an inflamed and swollen tongue, irritability, loss of appetite, mental confusion, weakness and dizziness. This disease can lead to death if not treated.
Pantothenic acid ~
Pantothenic acid is needed to metabolise carbohydrates, proteins, fats and alcohol as well as produce red blood cells and steroid hormones.
- Good sources of pantothenic acid – are widespread and found in a range of foods, but some good sources include liver, milk, kidneys, eggs, meats, yeast, peanuts and legumes.
- Pantothenic acid deficiency – is extremely rare. Symptoms include loss of appetite, tiredness, fatigue and insomnia, constipation, vomiting and intestinal distress.
Biotin ~
This vitamin is needed for energy metabolism, fat synthesis, amino acid metabolism and glycogen synthesis. High biotin intake can contribute to raised blood cholesterol levels.
- Good sources of biotin – include cauliflower, egg yolks, peanuts, liver, chicken, yeast and mushrooms.
- Biotin deficiency – biotin is widely distributed in foods and is only required in small amounts, so deficiency is very rare. Overconsumption of raw egg whites over periods of several months by bodybuilders for example can induce deficiency because a protein in the egg white inhibits biotin absorption. Symptoms include pale or grey skin, cracked sore tongue, depression, hallucination, abnormal heart actions, loss of appetite, nausea, dry skin and scaly dermatitis, hair loss, muscle pain, and weakness and fatigue.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) ~
Pyridoxine is needed for protein and carbohydrate metabolism, the formation of red blood cells and certain brain chemicals. It influences brain processes and development, immune function and steroid hormone activity.
- Good sources of pyridoxine – include cereal grains and legumes, green and leafy vegetables, fish and shellfish, meat and poultry, nuts, liver and fruit.
- Excessive intake – can lead to harmful levels in the body that can damage nerves. Symptoms include walking difficulties and numbness in the hands and feet. Large doses of B6 taken over a long period can lead to irreversible nerve damage.
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and carpal tunnel syndrome – there is some evidence that vitamin B6 may be useful in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome and PMS. Seek advice from a doctor before using large doses of this supplement (above 100 mg per day) because of the danger of overdose and nerve damage.
- Pyridoxine deficiency – people who drink excessive alcohol, women (especially those on the contraceptive pill), the elderly and people with thyroid disease are at particular risk of deficiency. Symptoms include insomnia, depression, anaemia, smooth tongue and cracked corners of the mouth, irritability, muscle twitching, convulsions, confusion and dermatitis.
Folate ~
Folate is needed to form red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. It helps the development of the foetal nervous system, as well as DNA synthesis and cell growth. Women of child-bearing age need a diet rich in folate.
If planning a pregnancy, you should consider taking supplements or eating fortified foods (vitamins added to processed food). This is important to reduce risks such as spina bifida in the baby. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate and is used extensively in dietary supplements and food fortification.
More information about folate:
Good sources of folate – these include green leafy vegetables, legumes, seeds, liver, poultry, eggs, cereals and citrus fruits. From September 2009, all flour used in bread making (except for flour to be used in breads listed as ‘organic’) has been fortified with folic acid.
- Excessive intake – folate is generally considered non-toxic, although excessive intakes above 1,000 mg per day over a period of time can lead to malaise, irritability and intestinal dysfunction. The main risk with excessive folate intake is that it can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency, so it is best to consume these two vitamins within the recommended amounts.
- Folate deficiency – the symptoms include weight loss, tiredness, fatigue and weakness, folate-deficiency anaemia (megaloblastic anaemia) and (during pregnancy) an increased risk of a neural tube defects such as spina bifida for the baby.
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) ~
Vitamin B12 helps to producte and maintain the myelin surrounding nerve cells, mental ability, red blood cell formation and the breaking down of some fatty acids and amino acids to produce energy. Vitamin B12 has a close relationship with folate, as both depend on the other to work properly.
- Good sources of B12 – include liver, meat, milk, cheese and eggs, almost anything of animal origin. (Be sure it’s organic!) Vitamin B12 in the Vegan/Vegetarian Diet ~ http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/b12.htm
- Vitamin B12 deficiency – this is most commonly found in the elderly, vegans (vitamin B12 is only found in foods of animal origin) and breastfed babies of vegan mothers and is called pernicious anaemia. Symptoms include tiredness and fatigue, lack of appetite and weight loss, apathy and depression, anaemia, smooth tongue and degeneration of peripheral nerves progressing to paralysis.
Things to remember:
- The B-group vitamins are a collection of eight vitamins essential for various metabolic processes.
- Most of these vitamins can’t be stored by the body and have to be consumed regularly in the diet.
- Extended cooking, food processing and alcohol can destroy or reduce the availability of many of these vitamins.
- It is important not to self-diagnose a vitamin deficiency because some vitamins can be toxic if taken incorrectly. See your doctor or dietitian for advice.
source: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/
PDF downlaod ~ http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcpdf.nsf/ByPDF/Vitamin_B/$File/Vitamin_B.pdf
WHAT OTHER SOURCES CONTAIN B VITAMINS…
1. Hemp: Full of Vitamins and Minerals!
Our bodies need various vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. Each vitamin or mineral does a specific job in the body. Some do better working in teams to keep body cells healthy. Here are some of the vitamins and minerals present in hemp foods and a brief descriptions of their health benefits and function.
• Good source of folate (Vitamin B9) Folate is essential to numerous bodily functions including the production of healthy red blood cells and cells that line the digestive tract. It is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth since Folate is necessary for the creation and maintenance of new cells, and for DNA and RNA synthesis. Folate is also essential for the prevention of neural tube defects of a fetus during the first few weeks of pregnancy.
• Good source of thiamine (Vitamin B1) Thiamine plays a critical role in the energy metabolism of all cells. Thiamine helps to converts carbohydrates and amino acids into energy and is essential for proper functioning of the heart, muscles and nervous system.
• Contains riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Riboflavin is necessary for energy metabolism in our bodies. It is also essential for body growth, reproduction, red cell production and supports normal vision and skin health.
• Contains niacin (Vitamin B3) Niacin participates in the energy metabolism of all cells in the body. Aids in the functioning of the digestive system, skin, and nerves; conversion of food to energy.
• which aids in the production of antibodies in the immune system, helps maintain normal nerve function and is required for the metabolism of amino acids and fatty acids. Vitamin B6 helps synthesize hemoglobin (for red blood cells) and neurotransmitters (the communication molecules of the brain). Vitamin B6 helps regulate blood glucose and is critical to the development of the brain and nervous system of a fetus.
• Source of Potassium that aids the body’s growth and maintenance. Potassium helps maintain normal water balance between the cells and body fluids, electrolyte balance, cell integrity and is critical to maintaining a heartbeat, proper heart function, the transmission of nerve impulses and contraction of muscles.
• Very high in Phosphorus that together with calcium is vital for formation of bone, teeth and nerve cells. Phosphorus helps to maintain the acid-base balance of cellular fluids and is part of DNA and RNA of every cell – and thus essential for growth and renewal of tissues. Phosphorus assists in energy metabolism and forms phospholipids within the cell membrane.
• Rich in Magnesium that assists absorption of calcium and potassium in our bodies. Magnesium is also involved in bone mineralization, activating B vitamins, acting as a nerve & muscle relaxant and providing blood clotting. Magnesium is also responsible for the release and use of energy from nutrients.
• Excellent source of Copper, which is required by our bodies for absorption, storage and metabolism of iron, the formation of hemoglobin (in red blood cells) and collagen (connective tissue). Copper helps supply oxygen to the body and is required for brain development and nerve cell communication.
• Excellent source of Iron that is a major component of our hemoglobin and myoglobin, both of which are responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood and to our muscles. Iron is required in our bodies to make new cells, amino acids, hormones and neurotransmitters. Iron is also important for enzymatic activity in energy-yielding pathways and is involved in producing ATP (adenosine triphosphate) the body’s energy source.
• Excellent source of Zinc that assists enzyme activity in all our cells. Zinc also aids protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism, supports the immune system, growth and fertility, wound healing, healthy skin, nails and eyes.
source: http://www.cousinmaryjane.com
You may purchase Hemp Health Products by clinking on to the “STORE” link for more information & details. 
2. Bee Pollen: The Real Vitamin Bee
Why do some people consider bee pollen a superfood? What are the benefits of bee pollen?
Since there are thousands upon thousands of flowering plants, varying widely by geography, the exact composition of bee pollen varies as well. Each plant’s pollen contains basic building blocks for life, but chemical makeups do differ. Producers of bee pollen as a health supplement sometimes mix bee pollen collected from different regions to capitalize on plant diversity – and thus diversity in nutrients. Despite the variations, though, bee pollen tends to include many vitamins and minerals that we recognize from the side of a cereal box, along with other compounds – enzymes, pigments, amino acids, etc.
Vitamins A, C, D, E, and K are all found in bee pollen, but the supplement is particularly high in B-complex vitamins. Both the familiar B-complex vitamins (thiamine, niacin, folic acid and riboflavin) and their less commonly known counterparts (B-6 and B-7, for example) are present. In addition to vitamins, bee pollen contains minerals like magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, and practically every other mineral used by the human body. Just the vitamin and mineral composition of bee pollen alone, which is undisputed because it’s utterly testable, resembles that of a multivitamin. This bodes well for bee pollen as a dietary supplement.
Beyond these basics, the health benefits get more complicated and harder to prove. It’s not the composition that people doubt but rather the causation. For example, bee pollen is full of flavonoid glycosides – like rutin – that have antioxidant properties. In fact, bee pollen contains far more of these antioxidants than pomegranates (the fruit with probably the highest level of antioxidants). Some argue that these antioxidants help strengthen capillaries or lower cholesterol, but these claims remain unproven.
Another controversial aspect to bee pollen is its effect, if any, on hayfever. Some people believe that, by introducing bee pollen into your body, your immune system slowly becomes accustomed to the pollens that once caused your allergies and that you can eventually develop resistance – especially if the bee pollen is produced in areas where your allergen-yielding plants grow. Research into this matter is inconclusive at best. As a word of caution, though, it must be noted that bee pollen itself can cause an allergic reaction in some folks.
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