10/04/2022
"THE B VITAMINS"
PART I
What are they, what are they for?
The B vitamins form a group of vitamins related to metabolism. At first it was believed that there was only one, but later it was discovered that there were several with similar functions.
They are water-soluble, so they can be lost in the cooking water and if excess is taken, they are eliminated in the urine (up to a limit).
Vitamin B1 or Thiamine
It is essential for the process of transforming sugars and plays an important role in conduction of nerve impulses, and in the metabolism of oxygen. The B1, is found in brewer's yeast, wheat germ, pork, liver and kidneys, fish, whole wheat bread, cooked beans, milk and its derivatives, mainly.
Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin
For its part, it is a key piece in the transformation of food into energy, since it favors the absorption of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. This vitamin is found in its natural state in dried yeast, liver, cheeses, eggs, mushrooms, yogurt, milk, meat, fish, cereals, wholemeal bread, and cooked vegetables.
The absence of B2 can cause anemia, liver disorders, conjunctivitis, dryness, dermatitis of the skin and mucous membranes, as well as ulcers in the mouth. For best results it is recommended not to mix it with boric acid, penicillin, etc.
Vitamin B3 or Niacin
Vitamin B3, niacin, nicotinic acid or vitamin PP, with the chemical formula C6H5NO2, is a water-soluble vitamin whose derivatives, NADH and NAD+, and NADPH and NADP+, play essential roles in the energy metabolism of the cell and DNA repair.[ 1] The designation vitamin B3 also includes the corresponding amide, nicotinamide, or niacinamide, with the chemical formula C6H6N2O. Niacin's functions include the removal of toxic chemicals from the body and participation in the production of steroid hormones synthesized by the adrenal gland, such as s*x hormones and hormones related to stress.
Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid
Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid is a water-soluble vitamin required to maintain life (essential nutrient). Pantothenic Acid is needed to form coenzyme A (CoA) and is considered critical in the metabolism and synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. In its chemical structure it is an amide between D-pantothenate and beta-alanine. Its name derives from the Greek Pantothen, meaning "from everywhere," and small amounts of pantothenic acid are found in almost all foods, with higher amounts found in whole grain cereals, legumes, brewer's yeast, royal jelly, eggs, meat . It is commonly found as an analog of alcohol, the provitamin panthenol, and as calcium pantothenate.
Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine
Its role in the growth, conservation and reproduction of all the cells of the organism is very important. It is provided by dry yeast, wheat germ, liver, kidneys, meat, fish, legumes, eggs, cauliflower, bananas, green beans and whole wheat bread.
While low levels of it produce skin inflammations such as pellagra, dryness, eczema, as well as anemia, diarrhea and even dementia. B6 is used with great success in menopausal women, since it relieves the symptoms of this period.