If you’re here, then you probably Google’d: what b vitamins do.
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Many cereals and some breads have added B vitamins.
What Are B Vitamins?
They help the body convert food into energy (metabolism), create new blood cells, and maintain healthy skin cells, brain cells, and other body tissues. There are eight types of B vitamin, each with their own function: thiamin (vitamin B-1)
riboflavin (vitamin B-2)
niacin (vitamin B-3)
pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5)
vitamin B-6
biotin (vitamin B-7)
folate (vitamin B-9)
vitamin B-12 Together, they are called the vitamin B complex.
B vitamins often occur together in the same foods. They may also have a deficiency if their body cannot absorb nutrients properly, or if their body eliminates too much of them due to certain health conditions or medications.
Explore:
Robably Familiar With Vitamin B6 And B12, But Did You Know There Are Actually Eight B Vitamins?
These vitamins help a variety of enzymes do their jobs, ranging from releasing energy from carbohydrates and fat to breaking down amino acids and transporting oxygen and energy-containing nutrients around the body. Spotlight on Three of the Bs: Folate, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12
One of the advances that changed the way we look at vitamins was the discovery that too little folate is linked to birth defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. It is also added to foods and sold as a supplement in the form of folic acid; this form is actually better absorbed than that from food sources—85% vs. 50%, respectively.
Vitamin B6 Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin found naturally in many foods, as well as added to foods and supplements. It can also be added to foods or supplements. It is also a key player in the function and development of brain and nerve cells.
Learn more about vitamin B12 and health
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Contents
This section has information on: thiamin (vitamin B1)
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
niacin (vitamin B3)
pantothenic acid
vitamin B6
biotin (vitamin B7)
folate and folic acid
vitamin B.