vitamin B-Complex Essential Nutrients
All vitamin B-Complex group are water soluble, and are linked together in several chemical ways. They are formed from either bacteria, yeast’s, fungi, or moulds.
B vitamins are essential nutrients for growth, development, and a variety of other bodily functions. They play a major role in the activities of enzymes (proteins) that regulate chemical reactions in the body. This is especially important in turning food into energy and other needed substances. B vitamins are found in a variety of plant and animal food sources.
Vitamin B-1 Thiamine
The B vitamin thiamine is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates into the simple sugar glucose. The chemical process involves the combination of thiamine with pyruvic acid to form a coenzyme, a substance that, when combined with other substances, forms an enzyme. Enzymes are those all-important proteins that speed up chemical reactions in the body. Thiamine is also important for the proper functioning of the nervous system. In this instance, thiamine acts as a coenzyme in the production of the neurotransmitter (chemical messenger between nerve fibers) acetylcholine.
Necessary for proper metabolism of sugar and starch to provide energy. Maintains a healthy nervous system as well as aiding proper function of the heart and other muscles. Stress increases the need for B-1 and all B
vitamins.
Sources of Vitamin B1
The best sources of Vitamin B1 are yeasts and liver. The following foods are good sources of Vitamin B1:
* Pork
* Whole-grain cereals
* Rye and whole-wheat flour
* Wheat germ
* Navy beans and kidney beans
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that was first isolated in the 1930s. There are three traditionally considerd forms of vitamin B6: pyridoxal (PL), pyridoxine (PN), pyridoxamine (PM). The phosphate ester derivative pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) is the principal coenzyme form and has the most importance in human metabolism (1-3).
What is the function of vitamin B6?
Much of the body’s chemistry depends upon enzymes. Enzymes are proteins that help chemical reactions take place. Because vitamin B6 is involved with more than 100 enzymatic reactions, its function in the body is diverse and far-reaching.
The Need for Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is needed for cell division and blood formation. Neither plants nor animals make vitamin B12. Bacteria are responsible for producing vitamin B12. Animals get their vitamin B12 from eating foods contaminated with vitamin B12 and then the animal becomes a source of vitamin B12. Plant foods do not contain vitamin B12 except when they are contaminated by microorganisms or have vitamin B12 added to them.
