Functions of Vitmain B Family

The Scoop on Vitamins: Vitamin B1 – Thiamine
Posted on August 20, 2012
This is part of our continuing series on the function of vitamins in the body.

The family of B vitamins is collectively called the B Complex. B Vitamins are used in many ways, from helping the liver clear toxins and excess hormones to creating energy within our cells. Every system in your body requires B vitamins to function.

B1, also called thiamine, is a unique nutrient that plays an integral role in the brain and central nervous system. B1’s coenzyme form is important for the synthesis of acetylcholine, which is critical in preventing memory loss and nerve inflammation. B1 is also important for the repair and prevention of any impairment of nerve function.

Another of B1’s major contributions to the body is the dynamic way it facilitates proper digestion:

B1 assists in the production of hydrochloric acid (stomach acid), which is vital to the proper breakdown and assimilation of food.
B1 helps maintain muscle tone in the intestines and stomach, prevents constipation and plays a role in the metabolism of carbohydrates.
B1 provides nourishment for all digestive organs, helps us to get maximum nutrition from our food and regulates appetite.

Symptoms of B1 deficiency include loss of reflexes, peripheral paralysis or numbness in the extremities. These symptoms have engendered theories that B1 deficiency may be a player in diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and Restless Leg Syndrome.

B1 deficiency often stems from high amounts of exercise or a diet that’s high in carbohydrates or alcohol. An optimal amount of B1 for an active adult is between 1.2-1.5 mg daily. Dietary sources include pork, nuts, beans, peas, brown rice, egg yolks, asparagus, broccoli and raisins. It’s important to note, however, that B1 is often lost during food preparations in which the cooking water is discarded. A simple way to maintain the B1 content is to try soups and stews that combine some of the above ingredients—it’s a delicious way to enjoy the flavor and nutrients our bodies need.

The Scoop on Vitamins: Vitamin B1 - Thiamine - Flourish
https://www.pharmaca.com/projectwellness/the-scoop-on-vitamins-vitamin-b1-thiamine/

What Is the Function & Physiological Importance of Riboflavin?

Written by Sylvie Tremblay; Updated December 06, 2018
What Is the Function & Physiological Importance of Riboflavin?
Elena_Danileiko/iStock/GettyImages

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Riboflavin, also called vitamin B-2, is one of several essential vitamins required as part of a balanced diet, as well as one of eight B-family vitamins. In your body, riboflavin takes on one of two chemical forms -- flavin adenine dinucleotide, also called FAD, and flavin mononucleotide, also called FMN. Riboflavin plays a key role in several physiological processes and plays a role in your health.

Role in Metabolism
Riboflavin's primary role in the body is supporting your metabolism, helping you access energy from the nutrients that make up your diet. Vitamin B-2 helps your body break down the three macronutrients -- protein, carbohydrate and fat. Riboflavin, in the form of FAD, helps your body break down fats and carbohydrates into fuel by contributing to the electron transport chain, a series of chemical reactions that give off usable energy for your cells.

Antioxidant Function
Riboflavin also serves an antioxidant function due to its ability to activate antioxidant enzymes. Antioxidants protect your cells from damage caused by harmful chemicals called reactive oxygen species, or ROS. ROS prove highly reactive in your cells, interacting with your proteins, cell membranes and even your DNA, ultimately causing cellular damage. As an antioxidant, riboflavin helps neutralize ROS to prevent this damage, helping to preserve the health of your cells.

Role in Drug Processing
If you take medication, your body's ability to metabolize drugs properly plays an important role in your health -- some pharmaceuticals only work once metabolized by your system, and metabolism to clear drugs from your system is important to preventing drug overdoses. Riboflavin activates the protein cytochrome P450, an enzyme responsible for metabolizing several drugs, including several types of painkillers, antidepressants and anti-epileptic drugs. Failure to consume enough riboflavin might interfere with your body's ability to metabolize pharmaceuticals, potentially altering its response to treatment. Talk to your doctor to learn more about interactions between riboflavin and your medication.

Getting Enough Riboflavin
Men require 1.3 milligrams of riboflavin daily, while most women require 1.1 milligrams, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Pregnancy or breastfeeding increase a woman's riboflavin requirements to 1.4 and 1.6 milligrams each day, respectively, to meet the nutritional needs of the growing fetus or baby.

Boost your riboflavin intake by incorporating vitamin-fortified cereals into your diet -- some brands contain up to 2.27 milligrams of the nutrient per serving, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Several meats, including chicken, duck, beef and salmon, also provide a source of riboflavin. Finally, consume riboflavin-rich vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach and asparagus to boost your overall vitamin B-2 intake.