B Complex Vitamins and Their Importance in Health and Disease (Part II)

PyridoxineVitamin B 6 or pyridoxine is actually a grouppantothenic acid helps in cell building, main- taining
of substance - pyridoxine, pyridoxinal and pyridoxaminenormal growth and
- that are closely related and function together. It helpsdevelopment of the central nervous system. It
in the absorption of fats and proteins, preventsstimulates the adrenal glands and increases the
nervous and skin disorders and protects againstproduction of cortisone and other adrenal hormones. It
degenerative diseases.The main sources of thisis essential for conversion of fatty and
vitamin are yeast, wheat, bran, wheat germ, pulses,sugar to energy. It also helps guard against most
cereals, banana,physical and mental stresses and toxins and
walnuts, soyabeans, milk, egg, liver, meat and freshincreases vitality. The main sources of this vitamin are
vegetables. Deficiency can lead towhole grain bread and cereals, green
dermatitis, conjuctivitis, anaemia, depression, skinvegetables, peas, beans, peanuts and egg yolk. It can
disorders, nervousness, insomnia, migrainebe synthesised in the body by intestinal
headaches and heart diseases.The recommendedbacteria. A deficiency can cause chronic fatigue,
daily requirement is 2.0 mg. for adults and 0.2 mg. forhypoglycemia, greying and loss of hair, mental
children. This vitamindepression, stomach disorders, blood and skin
used therapeuticlly from 100 to 150 mg. daily candisorders.The minimum daily requirement of this vitamin
relieve painful jonts and the discomforts ofhas not been established, but is estimated to be
pregnancy and pre-menstrual symptoms. Vitamin B6between 30 and 50 mg a day. The usual therapeutic
is now the most intensively studied of alldoses are 50 to 200 mg. In some studies,
vitamins. Researches are on the threshold of a1,000 mg or more were given daily for six moths
number of promising developments involvingwithout side effects. It is useful in the treatment
treatments of various ailments with this vitamin. Theyof insomnia, low blood pressure and hypoglycemia or
include hyperactivity in children, asthma,low blood sugar.Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 or cobolamin,
arthritis, kidney stones, blood clots in heart attackcommonly known as "red vitamin", is the only vitamin
victims and nervous disorders.Folic AcidVitamin B9 orthat contains
folic acid, along with vitamin B12 is necessary for theessential mineral elements. It is essential for proper
formation of red blood cells.It is essential for thefunctioning of the central nervous system,
growth and division of all body cells for healingproduction and regeneration of red blood cells and
processes. It aids proteinproper utilisation of fat, carbohydrates and
metabolism and helps prevent premature greying.protein for body building. It also improves
Valuable sources of this vitamin are deepconcentration, memory and balance. Valuable sources
green leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce,of this vitamin are kidney, liver, meat, milk, eggs,
brewers yeast, mushrooms , nuts,peanuts andbananas and peanuts. Its deficiency can lead
liver. A deficiency can result in certain types ofto certain types of anaemia, poor appetite and loss of
anaemia, serious skin disorders, loss of hair,energy and mental disorders.The recommended daily
impaired circulation, fatigue and mental depression.Theallowance of this vitamin is 3 mcg. Taken in large
minimum daily requirement of this vitamin is 0.4 mg. Totherapeutic doses
correct anaemia and deficiencies 5from 50 to 100 mcg., it is beneficial in the treatment of
mg or more are needed daily. Some authoritieslack of concentration, fatigue, depression,
believe that folic acid is contraindicated ininsomnia and poor memory.
leukemia and cancer.Pantothenic AcidVitamin B5 or