Introduction to Vitamin B

The B Complex vitamins consist of a group of eight officially recognized essential water soluble vitamins plus a group of lesser known compounds known as Sub-Vitamin B Complex which are not officially recognized as being essential for health. B Vitamins are usually required in very small amounts to convert fat, protein, and carbohydrates to energy. The eight official B Vitamins are: thiamin/B1, riboflavin/B2, niacin/B3, pantothenic acid/B5, folic acid/folacin, biotin, B6 and B12. B12 is the only one in this category that can be stored in the body for any length of time. The others must be replenished daily either from the diet or by internal synthesis.

Designated names originated during early nutritional research, when growth factors for organisms were specified with the letter B plus a letter or numerical factor. As they were isolated and characterized chemically, each was found to serve as a parent of a specific enzyme helper called a coenzyme.

Typical symptoms associated with B complex deficiencies are: recurring hunger or excessive appetite; heart palpitations or skipped beats; periodic bouts of depression; chronic headaches; hypoglycemia; a continual craving for sweets; difficulty sleeping; frequent exhaustion or chronic fatigue; overwhelmed and unable to cope with life; panic attacks or fear of the unknown. Both a reduced intake and a chronic deficiency of B vitamins can severely compromise the immune system leading to a host of disorders. Deficiencies attributed to one B vitamin is rarely seen alone but usually in conjunction with other B deficiencies.