Vitamin B1 (thiamine): Vitamin B1 may help naturally combat the negative effects of stress while supporting healthy energy levels, a proper nervous system, and muscle function. Vitamin B-1 plays an important part in the breakdown of foods, especially carbohydrates. It helps the body convert carbohydrates into glucose, which is then used to produce energy. Vitamin B-1 is considered an anti-stress vitamin because it supports proper nervous system and muscle functioning and may enhance the body’s ability to withstand stressful conditions. Vitamin B-1 is also necessary for the production of hydrochloric acid, making it important for proper digestion. Because Vitamin B-1 is water soluble, it’s not stored in the body and must be replenished daily. Although thiamine deficiency is rare, it can result in serious health complications involving the nervous system, brain, muscles, heart and gastrointestinal system. Individuals who consume heavy amounts of alcohol or who are chronically malnourished may have a higher-than-usual need for vitamin B-1.
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): Vitamin B6 is a precursor to coenzymes involved in the growth and repair of skin and tissues lining the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the synthesis of amino acids. B2 is necessary for the formation of pigments essential to vision.
Vitamin B3 (niacinamide): Niacin is an essential B vitamin that plays many roles, including promoting cardiovascular, brain, digestive and skin health. Niacin is involved in numerous reactions inside of cells that convert food into cellular energy. Niacin is also involved in the activity of enzymes that transport and break down fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and other molecules formed from food. Niacin is particularly helpful in promoting healthy cholesterol levels. A normal function of niacin is to help remove fats (triglycerides) from tissues and the bloodstream.
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid): Vitamin B5 is vital for growth, reproduction, and normal physiological functions. B5 helps the body to combat stress and is vital for growth, reproduction, and normal physiological functions, such as the production, transporting, and release of energy from fats. B5 is the nutrient responsible for activating the adrenal glands, which help the body to combat stress. When it comes to the body’s energy metabolism, B5 plays a very important role. It is a necessary factor for the Kreb’s cycle of energy production, and together with vitamins B1, B2, and B3, helps to produce ATP, the body’s fuel for energy. B5 is required for the synthesis of lipids, as well as the production of steroids and neurotransmitters. Vitamin B5 is needed to make the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which transports information between vertebral nerve cells. This vitamin also plays a large role in cholesterol management, by synthesizing cholesterol, which is needed to produce vitamin D and steroid hormones. One by-product of pantothenic acid, pantethine, may help lower blood levels of both cholesterol and triglycerides.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine HCl): performs a wide variety of functions in your body and is essential for your good health. Vitamin B6 is needed for more than 100 enzymes involved in protein metabolism. It is also essential for red blood cell metabolism. The nervous and immune systems need vitamin B6 to function efficiently, and it is also needed for the conversion of tryptophan (an amino acid) to niacin. Your body needs vitamin B6 to make hemoglobin which carries oxygen to tissues. Vitamin B6 also helps increase the amount of oxygen carried by hemoglobin. A vitamin B6 deficiency can result in a form of anemia that is similar to iron deficiency anemia. Vitamin B6, through its involvement in protein metabolism and cellular growth, is important to the immune system. It helps maintain the health of lymphoid organs (thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes) that make your white blood cells. Animal studies show that a vitamin B6 deficiency can decrease your antibody production and suppress your immune response. Vitamin B6 also helps maintain your blood glucose (sugar) within a normal range. When caloric intake is low your body needs vitamin B6 to help convert stored carbohydrate or other nutrients to glucose to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin): Vitamin B12 helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. It is also needed to help make DNA, the genetic material in all cells. B12 protects brain cells and nerve tissue and promotes better sleep.
