Vitamin B Deficiency Reviewed

Vitamin B is actually a group of eight vitamins that serve distinct and critical roles in the body. These include thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid, niacin, biotin, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6. Sometimes the nutrients are available in oral vitamin B complex supplements. Together vitamin B helps promote immune system function, healthy skin and hair, and aids in cell growth and division.

Vitamin B deficiency symptoms depend in part on what specific B vitamin the individual is deficient in. A thiamine deficiency can lead to weight loss, emotional disturbances, and an irregular heartbeat. A person who has low levels of riboflavin may notice cracked lips and dermatitis, while a person deficient in niacin could become weak, confused and irritable.

A deficiency in vitamin B6 may lead to anemia, depression, and water retention. Both vitamin B7, biotin, and vitamin B9, folic acid, are essential to the development of growing babies. A pregnant woman who is deficient in either of these nutrients is at an increased risk of having a child born with birth defects or developmental delays. A shortage of vitamin B12 in the body can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms including fatigue, mental confusion, and muscle soreness.

Vitamin B deficiency can occur easily. The nutrients are available almost exclusively from unprocessed, unrefined foods such as liver, brewer’s yeast, dark green leafy vegetables and seafood. Although vitamin B is created in the making of beer, alcohol consumption overall causes an absorption problem that leads to a vitamin B deficiency.

Because B vitamin as a whole are thought to lead to an energy boost, large quantities are found in many energy drinks. Some people do not eat enough of the products that vitamin B complex is naturally found in and are at risk of developing deficiency symptoms. Some people also lack the ability to absorb the nutrients properly from food even if they have enough vitamin B in their diet.

Vitamin B deficiency symptoms are wide ranging. The nutrients promote cell division, metabolism, and neurological development. Common symptoms of a vitamin B deficiency include tiredness, weakness, irritability, and mood swings. A deficiency can also cause more severe problems such as dementia and difficulty walking. A vitamin B deficiency has been noted in a higher than average number of people who develop breast and prostate cancer.

Vitamin B is available as an oral pill supplement promoted as B complex, as part of many multivitamins supplements, or as an individual vitamin. B vitamins can also be administered by injection in those with chronic deficiencies. Vitamin B side effects are rare as excess from an oral supplement is excreted in the urine. In large doses vitamin B3 or niacin can lead to liver toxicity and plaque in the heart.

An excess of B12 may lead to flushing of the face. Intake of large amounts of vitamin B6 are associated with peripheral sensory neuropathy. B vitamins as found in food and oral supplements are considered generally safe, but any individual concerns should be addressed with a doctor.

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Vitamin B Complex Benefits