B vitamins

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
"B complex" redirects here. For the musician, see B-Complex.

B vitamins are a class of water-soluble

chemically diverse class of compounds; some contain sulfur and B12 contains cobalt.[1] Dietary supplements containing all eight are referred to as a vitamin B complex. Individual B vitamins are referred to by B-number or by chemical name, such as B1 for thiamine, B2 for riboflavin, and B3 for niacin,[1]
while some are more commonly recognized by name than by number, such as pantothenic acid (B5), biotin (B7), and folate (B9).

Each B vitamin is either a cofactor (generally a coenzyme) for key metabolic processes or is a precursor needed to make one.[1]

List of B vitamins

List of B vitamins
Vitamin Name Description
Vitamin B1
 Thiamine A coenzyme in the catabolism of sugars and amino acids.
Vitamin B2
 Riboflavin A precursor of coenzymes called FAD and FMN, which are needed for flavoprotein enzyme reactions, including activation of other vitamins
Vitamin B3 Niacin (nicotinic acid) A precursor of
coenzymes called NAD and NADP, which are needed in many metabolic
processes.
Niacinamide
Nicotinamide riboside
Vitamin B5
 Pantothenic acid A precursor of coenzyme A and therefore needed to metabolize many molecules.
Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine A coenzyme in many enzymatic reactions in metabolism.
Pyridoxal
Pyridoxamine
Vitamin B7
 Biotin A coenzyme for
carboxylase enzymes, needed for synthesis of fatty acids and in gluconeogenesis
.
Vitamin B9 Folate A precursor needed to make, repair, and methylate DNA; a cofactor in various reactions; especially important in aiding rapid cell division and growth, such as in infancy and pregnancy.
Vitamin B12
Cobalamins
 Commonly
amino acid metabolism
.

Note: Other substances once thought to be vitamins were given B-numbers, but were disqualified once discovered to be either manufactured by the body or not essential for life. See #Related compounds for numbers 4, 8, 10, 11, and others.

Sources

B vitamins are found in abundance in meat, eggs, and dairy products.[1] Processed carbohydrates such as sugar and white flour tend to have lower B vitamin content than their unprocessed counterparts. For this reason, it is common in many countries (including the United States) that the B vitamins thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and folic acid are added back to white flour after processing. This is referred to as "enriched flour" on food labels. B vitamins are particularly concentrated in meat such as turkey, tuna and liver.[2]

Sources for B vitamins also include

pulses or beans), whole grains, asparagus, potatoes, bananas, chili peppers, breakfast cereals.[1]
The B12 vitamin is not abundantly available from
US Pharmacopeia (USP) method for measuring the B12 content does not measure the B12 directly. Instead, it measures a bacterial response to the food. Chemical variants of the B12 vitamin found in plant sources are active for bacteria, but cannot be used by the human body. This same phenomenon can cause significant over-reporting of B12 content in other types of foods as well.[5]

A common way to increase vitamin B intake is by using dietary supplements. B vitamins are commonly added to energy drinks, many of which have been marketed with large amounts of B vitamins.[6]

Because they are soluble in water, excess B vitamins are generally readily excreted, although individual absorption, use and metabolism may vary.

neural tube defects. Thus, women planning to become pregnant are usually encouraged to increase daily dietary folate intake or take a supplement.[9]

Molecular functions

Vitamin Name Structure Molecular function
Vitamin B1 Thiamine
Thiamine plays a central role in the release of energy from carbohydrates. It is involved in
acetyl coenzyme A in metabolism.[10]
Vitamin B2 Riboflavin
Riboflavin is involved in release of energy in the electron transport chain, the citric acid cycle, as well as the catabolism of fatty acids (beta oxidation).[11]
Vitamin B3
Niacin
Niacin is composed of two structures: nicotinic acid and nicotinamide. There are two co-enzyme forms of niacin: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP). Both play an important role in energy transfer reactions in the metabolism of glucose, fat and alcohol.[12] NAD carries hydrogens and their electrons during metabolic reactions, including the pathway from the citric acid cycle to the electron transport chain. NADP is a coenzyme in lipid and nucleic acid synthesis.[13]
Vitamin B5 Pantothenic acid
Pantothenic acid is involved in the oxidation of fatty acids and carbohydrates. Coenzyme A, which can be synthesised from pantothenic acid, is involved in the synthesis of amino acids, fatty acids,
antibodies.[15]
Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine
The active form
neurotransmitters.[16]
Vitamin B7 Biotin
Biotin plays a key role in the metabolism of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates. It is a critical co-enzyme of four carboxylases: acetyl CoA carboxylase, which is involved in the synthesis of fatty acids from acetate; pyruvate CoA carboxylase, involved in gluconeogenesis; β-methylcrotonyl CoA carboxylase, involved in the metabolism of
better source needed
]
Vitamin B9 Folate
Folate acts as a co-enzyme in the form of
red blood cells.[18]
Vitamin B12
Cobalamin
Vitamin B12 is involved in the cellular metabolism of
better source needed] Vitamin B12 functions as a co-enzyme in intermediary metabolism for the methionine synthase reaction with methylcobalamin, and the methylmalonyl CoA mutase reaction with adenosylcobalamin.[20]
A diagram of the chemical structure of 5 classes of vitamin B (B2, B3, B5, B9, and B12) and the essential biochemical reactants that they are precursors to.

To the right, a diagram of some of the major B vitamins (2, 3, 5, 9, and 12) are shown as precursors for certain essential biochemical reactants (FAD, NAD+, coenzyme A, and heme B respectively). The structural similarities between them are highlighted, which illustrates the precursor nature of many B vitamins while also showing the functionality of the end product used by essential reactions to support human, animal, or cellular life.

FAD, NAD+, and coenzyme A are all essential for the catabolic release of free energy (dG) to power the activity of the cell and more complex life forms. See the article on Catabolism for more details on how these three essential biochemical reactants help support life.

Tetrahydrofolate is a necessary co-reactant for synthesizing some amino acids, such as glycine. Heme B is the porphyrin derivative macrocycle molecule that holds the iron atom in place in hemoglobin, allowing for the transportation of oxygen through blood.

Deficiencies

See also: Vitamin deficiency § Water-soluble vitamins

Several named vitamin deficiency diseases may result from the lack of sufficient B vitamins.[1] Deficiencies of other B vitamins result in symptoms that are not part of a named deficiency disease.

Vitamin Name Deficiency effects
Vitamin B1 Thiamine
alcoholic Korsakoff syndrome, an irreversible dementia characterized by amnesia and compensatory confabulation
.
Vitamin B2 Riboflavin
hyperemia, and edema of the pharyngeal and oral mucosa
.
Vitamin B3
Niacin
Niacin deficiency, along with a deficiency of tryptophan, causes pellagra. Symptoms include aggression, dermatitis, insomnia, weakness, mental confusion, and diarrhea. In advanced cases, pellagra may lead to dementia
and death (the 3(+1) D's: dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, and death).
Vitamin B5 Pantothenic acid
Pantothenic acid deficiency can result in acne and paresthesia
, although it is uncommon.
Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine Vitamin B6 deficiency causes seborrhoeic dermatitis-like eruptions, pink eye and neurological symptoms (e.g. epilepsy).
Vitamin B7 Biotin Biotin deficiency does not typically cause symptoms in adults, other than cosmetic issues such as decreased hair and nail growth, but may lead to impaired growth and neurological disorders in infants. Multiple carboxylase deficiency, an inborn error of metabolism, can lead to biotin deficiency even when dietary biotin intake is normal.
Folate
Folic acid
Folic acid deficiency results in a macrocytic anemia, and elevated levels of homocysteine. Deficiency in pregnant women can lead to birth defects, particularly neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly
.
Vitamin B12
Cobalamins
 Vitamin B12 deficiency results in a macrocytic anemia, elevated methylmalonic acid and homocysteine, peripheral neuropathy, sense loss, change in mobility, memory loss and other cognitive deficits. It is most likely to occur among elderly people, as absorption through the gut declines with age; the autoimmune disease pernicious anemia is another common cause. It can also cause symptoms of mania and psychosis. Untreated, it is possible to cause irreversible damage to the brain and nerve system — In rare extreme cases, paralysis can result.

Side effects

Because water-soluble B vitamins are eliminated in the urine, taking large doses of certain B vitamins usually only produces transient side effects (only exception is pyridoxine). General side effects may include restlessness, nausea and insomnia. These side effects are almost always caused by dietary supplements and not foodstuffs.

Vitamin Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) Harmful effects
Vitamin B1 None[21] No known toxicity from oral intake. There are some reports of anaphylaxis caused by high-dose thiamin injections into the vein or muscle. However, the doses were greater than the quantity humans can physically absorb from oral intake.[21]
Vitamin B2 None[22] No evidence of toxicity based on limited human and animal studies. The only evidence of adverse effects associated with riboflavin comes from
free radicals) when riboflavin was exposed to intense visible and UV light.[22]
Vitamin B3 US UL = 35 mg as a dietary supplement[23] Intake of 3000 mg/day of nicotinamide and 1500 mg/day of nicotinic acid are associated with nausea, vomiting, and signs and symptoms of liver toxicity. Other effects may include glucose intolerance, and (reversible) ocular effects. Additionally, the nicotinic acid form may cause vasodilatory effects, also known as
pruritus, headaches, and increased intracranial blood flow, and occasionally accompanied by pain.[23] Medical practitioners prescribe recommended doses up to 2000 mg per day of niacin in either immediate-release or slow-release formats, to lower plasma triglycerides and low-density lipiprotein cholesterol.[24]
Vitamin B5 None No toxicity known.
Vitamin B6 US UL = 100 mg/day; EU UL = 25 mg/day See Megavitamin-B6 syndrome for more information.
Vitamin B7 None No toxicity known.
Folate 1 mg/day[25] Masks B12 deficiency, which can lead to permanent
neurological damage.[25]
Vitamin B12 None established[26] Skin and spinal lesions. Acne-like rash [causality is not conclusively established].[26][27]

Discovery

Vitamin Name Discoverer Date Notes
Vitamin B1 Thiamine Umetaro Suzuki 1910 Failed to gain publicity.
Casimir Funk 1912
Vitamin B2 Riboflavin D.T Smith and E.G Hendrick 1926 Max Tishler invented methods for synthesizing it.
Vitamin B3
Niacin
 Conrad Elvehjem 1937
Vitamin B5 Pantothenic acid Roger J. Williams 1933
Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine etc. Paul Gyorgy 1934
Vitamin B7 Biotin Research by multiple independent groups in the early 1900s; credits for discovery include Margaret Averil Boas (1927),[28] Paul Gyorgy (1939, as Vitamin H),[29] and Dean Burk.[30]
Vitamin B9
Folic acid
 Lucy Wills 1933
Vitamin B12
Cobalamins
 Five people have been awarded Nobel Prizes for direct and indirect studies of vitamin B12: George Whipple, George Minot and William Murphy (1934), Alexander R. Todd (1957), and Dorothy Hodgkin (1964).[31]

Related compounds

Many of the following substances have been referred to as vitamins as they were once believed to be vitamins. They are no longer considered as such, and the numbers that were assigned to them now form the "gaps" in the true series of B-complex vitamins described above (for example, there is no vitamin B4). Some of them, though not essential to humans, are essential in the diets of other organisms; others have no known nutritional value and may even be toxic under certain conditions.

  • Vitamin B4: can refer to the distinct chemicals choline, adenine, or carnitine.[32][33]
    • Choline is synthesized by the human body, but not sufficiently to maintain good health, and is now considered an essential dietary nutrient.[34]
    • Adenine is a nucleobase synthesized by the human body.[35]
    • Carnitine is an essential dietary nutrient for certain worms, but not for humans.[36]
  • Vitamin B8: adenosine monophosphate (AMP), also known as adenylic acid.[37] Vitamin B8 may also refer to inositol.[38]
  • Vitamin B10:
    UV-blocking sunscreen applied to the skin, and is sometimes taken orally for certain medical conditions.[39][41]
  • Vitamin B11: pteroylheptaglutamic acid (PHGA; chick growth factor). Vitamin Bc-conjugate was also found to be identical to PHGA. Derivative of folate ("pteroylmonoglutamic acid" in this nomenclature).[42]
  • Vitamin B13: orotic acid.[43]
  • Vitamin B14: cell proliferant, anti-anemia, rat growth factor, and antitumor pterin phosphate, named by Earl R. Norris. Isolated from human urine at 0.33ppm (later in blood), but later abandoned by him as further evidence did not confirm this. He also claimed this was not xanthopterin.
  • Vitamin B15: pangamic acid,[43] also known as pangamate. Promoted in various forms as a dietary supplement and drug; considered unsafe and subject to seizure by the US Food and Drug Administration.[44]
  • Vitamin B16: dimethylglycine (DMG)[45] is synthesized by the human body from choline.
  • Vitamin B17: pseudoscientific name for the poisonous compound amygdalin, also known as the equally pseudoscientific name "nitrilosides" despite the fact that it is a single compound. Amygdalin can be found in various plants, but is most commonly extracted from apricot pits and other similar fruit kernels. Amygdalin is hydrolyzed by various intestinal enzymes to form, among other things, hydrogen cyanide, which is toxic to human beings when exposed to a high enough dosage. Some proponents claim that amygdalin is effective in cancer treatment and prevention, despite its toxicity and a lack of scientific evidence.[46]
  • Vitamin B20: L-carnitine.[45]
  • Vitamin Bf: carnitine.[37]
  • Vitamin Bm: myo-inositol, also called "mouse antialopaecia factor".[47]
  • Vitamin Bp: "antiperosis factor", which prevents
    perosis, a leg disorder, in chicks; can be replaced by choline and manganese salts.[36][37][48]
  • Vitamin BT: carnitine.[49][36]
  • Vitamin Bv: a type of B6 other than pyridoxine.
  • Vitamin BW: a type of biotin other than d-biotin.
  • Vitamin Bx: an alternative name for both pABA (see vitamin B10) and pantothenic acid.[36][41]

References

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  4. ^ "Vitamin B12 supplements are essential for vegans". 14 February 2018.
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  13. ^ National Academy of Sciences. Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board, ed. (1998). "Chapter 6 - Niacin". Dietary Reference Intakes for Tjiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin and Choline. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
  14. ^ Schnepp, Zoe (2002). "Pantothenic Acid". University of Bristol. Retrieved 16 September 2012 – via bris.ac.uk.
  15. ^ Gropper S, Smith J (2009). Advanced nutrition and human metabolism. Belmont, California: Cengage Learning.
  16. ^ "Vitamin B6". Micronutrient Information Center, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. May 2014. Archived from the original on 14 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  17. ^ Schnepp, Zoe (2002). "Biotin". University of Bristol. Retrieved 17 September 2012 – via bris.ac.uk.
  18. ^ National Academy of Sciences. Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board, ed. (1998). "Chapter 8 - Folate". Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin and Choline. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
  19. ^ Schnepp, Zoe (2002). "Vitamin B12". University of Bristol. Retrieved 16 September 2012 – via bris.ac.uk.
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  28. ^ Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine (1998). "Biotin". Dietary Reference Intakes: Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. Washington, DC: National Academy Press. pp. 374–389.
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  30. ^ "Dean Burk, 84, Chemist for Cancer Institute". The New York Times. Associated Press. 10 October 1988. p. B8.
  31. ^ "The Nobel Prize and the Discovery of Vitamins". www.nobelprize.org. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
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  38. ^ "Vitamin B8 (Inositol) Overview Information". WebMD.com. WebMD, LLC.
  39. ^ a b "Vitamin B10 (Para–aminobenzoic acid (PABA)): uses, side effects, interactions and warnings". WebMD.com. WebMD, LLC. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
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