WHAT ARE B VITAMINS?

If you’ve ever felt sluggish and wanted a vitamin or supplement to fuel your energy, you might have received a recommendation to take B vitamins. The B12 vitamin in particular has gotten quite the reputation for being the “energy vitamin.” While B vitamins aren’t going to give you a boost of energy the way a cup of coffee or supplement with coffee will, they are involved in energy processes in the body. Find out what the benefits of vitamin B12 are and what the other B vitamins have to offer.

WHAT ARE B VITAMINS?

Unlike vitamins like vitamin A or vitamin C, there’s more than one b vitamin. B vitamins are a family of eight related nutrients and surprise—they also have other names! The B vitamin group is made up of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, folate, biotin and cobalamin.

Related Reading: THE ABCS OF VITAMINS: VITAMIN B1 & B2

WHAT DO B VITAMINS DO?

You’re probably wondering what all the B vitamins do. B vitamins facilitate the work of every cell and are key players in energy production. What exactly does that mean? If the carbohydrates, protein and fat we consume are fuel, B vitamins are the helpers that turn that fuel into energy for the body. While they often work together as a team, each of the B vitamins are individual players as well.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VITAMIN B1?

Vitamin B1, also known as thiamin, supports normal nerve and muscle function.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VITAMIN B2?

Vitamin B2 plays a role in the utilization of cell oxygen. It’s also known as riboflavin.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VITAMIN B3?

Vitamin B3, or niacin, supports a healthy blood lipid profile and may function in DNA repair and replication.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VITAMIN B5?

Vitamin B5 is also known as pantothenic acid. It’s required for fatty acid metabolism and is an essential component of coenzyme A.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VITAMIN B6?

While you might have heard of the some of the other B vitamins aliases you may not have heard of pyridoxine, another name for vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 supports immune function and is essential for nervous system function.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VITAMIN B7?

You might know vitamin B7 as the “beauty vitamin.” Vitamin B7 is also known as biotin, which helps support the matrix of hair, skin and nails. It’s also required for fatty acid synthesis.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VITAMIN B9?

Vitamin B9 is also known as folate. The synthetic form of vitamin B9 is folic acid, which is necessary for proper DNA formation. It also supports healthy fetal development.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VITAMIN B12?

Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is essential for nerve tissue formation, proper red blood cell formation and proper neurological function.