B Vitamins - Other Numbers
B4 is also known as adenine, Vitamin Bw, Vitamin Bp, and Leuco-4. Some conclude it may be a mixture of arginine, glycine, pyridoxine, and riboflavin, while others believe that it is a mixture of B2, B6, arginine, cystine, and glycine. It was formerly classified as a nucleic acid since it was found in RNA and DNA. It is found in plant and animal tissues and appears to be associated with Vitamin B3 (niacin). Although it does not have official vitamin status, it is required to build nucleic acids and plays a supporting role in the enzymes systems.
B7 is sometimes called Vitamin I, or rice polish factor, but there is no known function for it and it is not isolated to a specific chemical form. It appears to be an obsolete term and is sometimes used to denote Vitamin B3a or Bw.
B8 is also known as AMP, Vitamin BH, muscle adenylic acid, ergadenylic acid, t-adenylic acid, NSC-20264, Adenyl, Cardiomone, Cardiomone sodium salt, Lycedan, My-B-Den, Myoston, Phosaden. Its forms are: adenylic acid and adenosine monophosphate (AMP). Deficiencies are recorded as being a decreased synthesis of RNA, ADP, and ATP, a deterioration of the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, and a deterioration in hormone function.
B9 is sometimes used to denote Vitamin Bc and is found to be a mixture of B complex, now called B9 complex.
B10 is also known as factor R, Vitamin R, and Vitamin Bx. It was first found to be a factor causing the growth of feathers in chicks. Today, it is considered to have Vitamin Bc compounds possibly mixed with pteroylmonoglutamic acid and Vitamin B12.
B11 is thought to be a mixture of B12 and pteroylmonoglutamic acid or folacin. Yet it differs somewhat from B10. Other names for it are factor S or Vitamin S.
B13 is a compound from distillers consisting of dried solubles. It was later identified as orotic acid, an intermediate in pyrimidine metabolism. It is recognized as a treatment for MS (multiple sclerosis) and is dispensed under the name of "calcium orotate" (an essential growth factor in rats). Good sources are root vegetables and whey.
Other names for it include: whey factor, animal galactose factor, Oropur, Orotyl, and Provitamin B6 (a water-soluble vitamin precursor).
Inhibitors include: water and sunlight.
Helpers are: calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc.
Deficiencies produce: anemia, large or abnormal red blood cells, heart disease, heart arrythmias, skin quality deterioration, eczema, psoriasis, increased weight gain, crystals in the urine, cell and growth deterioration, mental retardation, liver deterioration, premature aging, decreased vitamin B12 and Bc usage, decreased immunity.
B14 is a crystalline conpound isolated from wine and originally thought to be a metabolite of xanthopterin which checks the growth of cancer cells. Deficiencies produce a deterioration of red blood cells (produced by the bone marrow), pernicious anemia, and an accelerated production of cancer cells.
B15 is not recognized by the US Drug Administration. Most of the research being done on it is out of the USSR.
Other names for it include: pangamic acid, calcium pangamate, sodium pangamate, dimethylglycine/DMG, trimethylglycine/TMG.
The terms "B15" and "pangamic acid" are sometimes used for diisopropylamine dichloroacetate. Pangamic acid is a natural substance that was first prepared from apricot pits and later from rice, liver, blood, and yeast. Little is known about its role at the molecular level although scientists in Europe and the Soviet Union have recorded enhanced oxygen uptake in response to strenuous exercise ,and it appears to have anitoxidant properites. Soviet studies also indicate that it protects against urban pollutants, stimulates immune responses, relieves some asthma symptoms, and lowers blood cholesterol levels. Because of the above physiologic effects, it has been designated as a B vitamin, but there is no "official" evidence recognized in the Western countries that its lack in the diet results in any deficiency disease -- one of the requirements for it to be officially recognized as a vitamin.
However, there are deficiency symptoms attributed to it such as: headaches, heart deterioration, chest pain, shortness of breath, stress, insomnia, shortened cell life, premature aging, angina, decreased blood oxygenation, increased blood cholesterol, atherosclerosis, deterioration of: circulatory systems/glandular function/nervous system/ and mental health, insufficient oxygen to cells, slow wound healing, decreased immunity, fatigue, and decreased protein synthesis. As with all B vitamins, water and sunlight can destroy it, and it needs other B vitamins, as well as Vitamins C and E in order to function. Vitamin B15H8 is a specific form of Vitamin B15.
B16 is still being researched in Russia and is still virtually unknown.
B17 is a term used to describe laetrile, mandelonitrile B-glucuronide, or amygdalin -- one of the most controversial vitamins of the 20th century. The term, laetrile, was coined by Ernest T. Krebs, Jr., in the late 1940's as an acronym to describe a purified derivative of amygdalin laevo rotatory in polarized light that was chemically a mandelontrile. The laetrile patented by Krebs, and later successfully synthesized by an FDA-John Hopkins team in 1977, is spelled with an upper case L and differs slightly from the more common, lower case version. Laetrile, which is synonymous with amygdalin, is obtained from vetches, clovers, sorghums, cassava, lima beans, acacia, and the tiny seeds inside the pits of fruits and berries (apricots, peaches, plums, and chokecherries). Amygdalin, is basically, a chemical compound consisting of two sugar molecules (benzaldehyde and cyanide) and is the only "B vitamin" not present in Brewer's yeast.
Sloan-Kettering conducted many tests on laetrile and were shocked to discover that cancer spread in only 20% of those rodents receiving laetrile injections compared to 80% in the untreated rodents. For five years, they tested and came up with the same results. Yet they opted not to release these positive findings in sworn statements before a US state senate in July 1977, where they positively refuted any scientific evidence they had collected showing that laetrile possessed any anticancer properties. (Heinerman).
(Note: A small amount of "laetrile" (actually, the compound l-mandelonitrile-b-glucuronic acid), which is found in the whole kernels of apricots, apples, cherries, peaches, plums, and nectarines, is not harmful. However, no more than thirty of these kernels should be eaten throughout the day -- and NEVER all at the same time. It is the cyanide component that has been reported as being beneficial in the treatment of cancer, but normal animal and human cells lack the enzymes required to release cyanide from mandelonitrile. Thus, it takes special preparations to release any benefits that it may have and "home-concoctions" should not be attempted. In addition, natural sources contain the enzyme beta-glucosidase which can break down B17 into toxins if the natural state is corrupted for a prolonged period of time, such as if a slurry is made in the blender and left standing overnight. Dry heat (roasting) will destroy this enzyme.)
Names include: Vitamin B17, amygdalin, laetrile, NSC-15-780, aprikern, nitrilosides.
Toxicity symptoms are: (which is usually due to the cyanide poisoning) - acrid taste in the mouth, choking feeling, nausea, numbness, chest tightness, anxiety, dizziness, confusion, headaches, convulsions, frothing of the mouth, incontinence, rapid/irregular/feeble pulse.
