Vitamin B Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

Properties: Antioxidant, Immune system booster, Nervine, Neuroprotective, Cholesterol-lowering

What is Vitamin B?

Vitamin B is an organic compound and a vital nutrient that an organism requires in limited amounts. An organic chemical compound (or related set of compounds) is called a vitamin when the organism is not able to synthesize the compound within the body and it must be obtained through diet. Vitamins are organized into classes depending on their contribution to life and health. Humans are particularly dependent on the B class of vitamins. ²

Vitamin B complex is a class of water-soluble vitamins that play a vital role in cell metabolism. They help the body processes to get or make energy from food and they also help to produce red blood cells. Vitamin B comes from proteins such as fish, poultry, meat, eggs and dairy products. They’re also found in green vegetables like beans (legumes) and leafy products as well as in whole grains, potatoes, bananas, yeast and molasses. ² The B vitamin complex is broken into eight classes which are found in plant and animal form and commonly coexist within each type of food. Each B vitamin is either a cofactor (generally a coenzyme) for key metabolic processes or is a precursor necessary to make one. The eight Vitamin B classes are: ^2,4

B1 (thiamine)
B2 (riboflavin)
B3 (niacin)
B5 (pantothenic acid)
B6
B7 (biotin)
B12
Folic Acid

Although all the B vitamins are important, the Vitamin B health benefits are among the most important. Vitamin B is also called cobalamin and has a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system. ⁴ A lack of certain B vitamins can cause diseases. For instance, a Vitamin B deficiency in B6 and/or B12 contributes to anemia and dementia. ^1,4

Vitamin B Health Uses and Health Benefits

The roles that Vitamin B plays in the human body has been well known for years. They help the body convert food into glucose which provides energy, boosts the immune system and strengthens the body under stressful conditions. Vitamin B is particularly efficient in treating these ailments:

Anxiety Disorder - Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized as abnormal stress on the nervous system. It’s considered a form of mental disorder and manifests in many ways. Ensuring the body gets a proper supply of Vitamin B12 is a principle in calming anxiety.
Nail Biting - Nail biting is a psychological habit termed “onychophagia” and is brought on by stressors to the nervous system. A proper diet of Vitamin B12 helps to control nail biting.
Diabetic Neuropathy - Diabetes is a disease where blood sugar or glucose levels are disturbed. Chronic diabetes causes damage to nerves which is called “neuropathy” and is best controlled by a proper intake of B complex vitamins.
Alzheimer’s Disease - This is a form of dementia that interferes with the thought process. It’s suspected that a Vitamin B12 deficiency may be a cause of Alzheimer’s disease.
Bell’s Palsy - Bell’s Palsy is a condition where the facial muscles are partly paralyzed. This comes and goes. Vitamin B12 is considered an effective treatment for the symptoms of Bell’s Palsy.
Bipolar Disorder - Bipolar disorder is a complicated form of mental illness that manifests itself in emotional highs and lows. Once termed manic-depressive, Vitamin B is a recognized remedy for some forms of depression.

Vitamin B Side Effects and Precautions

Because B Vitamins are water-soluble they are eliminated in the urine. Taking large doses of Vitamin B as a supplement usually only produces transient side effects. They can be nausea, restlessness and insomnia. These Vitamin B side effects are almost always caused by dietary supplements and not by foodstuffs. ¹ Vitamin B12 is not found in plant products, therefore is a serious concern for vegans who do not take a Vitamin B12 supplement. ³

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