made up of eight chemically distinct & water soluble vitamins that once were thought to be one vitamin -- known as vitamin B-complex

Some Facts aboutVitamin B

must be replenished daily as they are not stored in the body

obtained from different food sources

At times all of the B vitamins work together to keep the body functioning in a healthy manner.

Working together they are needed for the following:

The proper functioning of the body's metabolic system

Converting carbohydrates to glucose Promoting cell growth, reproduction

and division RNA and DNA synthesis Protecting the body from

cardiovascular disease Strengthening the immune system

At times all of the B vitamins work together to keep the body functioning in a healthy manner.

Working together they are needed for the following:

Maintaining and enhancing the function of the nervous system

Helping the digestive system to work properly

Maintaining healthy muscle tone and skin

Reducing the risk of certain types of cancer, especially pancreatic cancer

Fighting depression, anxiety and stress

Improving memory

THIAMINE

Christiaan Eijkman(1858-1930)

Dutch physician and pathologist who discovered Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Found that beri-beri (a serious and common disease back in the 1800s) was not caused by bacteria but rather from a poor diet

Went to Batavia, Java (now Jakarta, Indonesia) to conduct his research

Discovered that brown rice was the cure to beri-beri due to the thiamine in the husks of the grain which polished rice lack

RIBOFLAVIN

DEFICIENCY

Inflamed eyelids

Painful, purplish red tongue

Skin lesions

Sore throat

NIACIN

the discovery ofNiacin (nicotinic acid)

Casimir Funk

1915Austrian-American physician who found the deficiency disorders niacin can cause (pellagra)

1937American biochemist who identified its chemical structure

1912Polish-American biochemist who isolated nicotinic acid & proved it had nutritional value

Joseph Goldberger Conrad Arnold Elvehjem

(pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine)

Paul György(1858-1930)

1934 - Hungarian physician discovered this substance while conducting his research on skin disease in rats and saw that it served as a cure in dermititis acrodynia 1938 – Vitamin B6 is isolated and was given the name pyrodixine

1957 - the required levels of Vitamin B6 were determined

The brain uses vitamin B6 to increase serotonin levels. A good intake of B6 might help relieve migraines, even if you're not deficient in it.

The Daily Value for vitamin B6 is 1.3mg.Too much vitamin B6 can result in nerve

damage to the arms and legs. This neuropathy is usually related to high intake of vitamin B6 from supplements, and is reversible when supplementation is stopped.

DEFICIENCYSkin disorders

Kidney stones

anemia

Dizziness

cyanocobalamin OR methylcobalamin