What is vitamin B?

Vitamin B is one of the water soluble vitamins, which has many functions in our body. Vitamin B is not a single vitamin, but it is a common name referred to eight separate and distinct vitamins. They are collectively called as vitamin B complex. The eight vitamins are vitamin B1 or thiamine, vitamin B2 or riboflavin, vitamin B3 or niacin, vitamin B4 or pantothenic acid, vitamin B6 or pyridoxine, vitamin B7 or biotin and also called as vitamin H, vitamin B9 or folic acid and vitamin B12 or cobalamin.

What are the functions of vitamin B complex?

The functions of the eight water soluble vitamins of the B complex are listed below. Vitamin B1 or known as thiamine helps in the metabolism of carbohydrates as catalyst. It helps in maintaining healthy nerves and improves the heart strength. Vitamin B deficiency can lead to muscular weakness and heart swelling. Food stuffs high in vitamin B are red meats, liver, eggs, green vegetables, cereals, berries and legumes.

Vitamin B2 or riboflavin serves as a catalyst in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and certain respiratory proteins. It is also essential for the formation of red blood cells. Deficiency may lead to skin lesions. Milk, liver, vegetables, cereals, bread and mushrooms are the food stuffs rich in vitamin B2. Vitamin B3, otherwise known as niacin helps in lowering the bad cholesterol and also helps in the release of energy from the nutrients. Pellagra and mental confusion are the things that are caused due to its deficiency.

Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid also helps in metabolism and promotes a healthy nervous system. Deficiency may lead to allergies, fatigue and abdominal pain. Foods high in pantothenic acid are eggs, legumes, meat and cereals. Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine is essential for every function of the body and also aids the body to absorb and metabolize amino acids. Skin problems, anaemia, nausea and formation of kidney stones are the disorders caused by vitamin B6 deficiency. Liver, spinach, bread and bananas are the foods high in pyridoxine.
Vitamin B7 or biotin is very important to maintain a healthy hair and nail and also helps in the release of energy from the carbohydrates. There are no deficiencies for biotin known to mankind. Vitamin B9 or folic acid helps the body to form protecting against the birth defects. The deficiency of this vitamin is rare. It can lead to neural tube defects in new born babies. Leafy vegetables, legumes and organ meats are the food sources rich in folic acid. The last one is the vitamin B12 or cobalamin. It is essential for the formation of red blood cells and assists the function of the nervous system. Deficiency of vitamin B12 may lead to anaemia. Food stuffs like egg, milk and meat are the only sources of vitamin B12.

Apart from these vitamins, there are also other vitamin B related nutrients such as vitamin B4, B7, B8, B10, B11, B13, B14, B15 etc. But these are not essential for humans.