Why Are B Vitamins Important?

Why are B vitamins so important to maintaining balanced health?  The healthiest way to insure that you’re getting all eight B vitamins is to eat a varied diet that includes fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, healthy fats, and protein. Find out why we need all the B vitamins – from vitamin B1 to vitamin B12 – to maintain lifelong optimum health.

 

Why Are B Vitamins Important

Video Transcript

Vitamin B1, also called thiamin, plays an important role in nerve transmission. It also helps helps support:

The nervous system
Proper muscle function
Carbohydrate metabolism
Healthy digestion.

Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, mobilize other B vitamins. It is also required for:

Normal cell growth and function
Energy production.

Vitamin B3, also known as niacin:

Is important for heart health.

Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, is important for the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats:

It is also essential for breaking down fatty acids and keeping your skin healthy.

Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, is important for keeping older individuals’ immune systems functioning:

It also helps in the production of neurotransmitters.

Vitamin B7, also called biotin, has a variety of applications – it can help:

Decrease insulin resistance
Address high blood glucose levels
Maintain healthy hair and nails
Improve energy metabolism and glucose tolerance.

Vitamin B9 is commonly called folate or folic acid:

It is essential for human growth and development, which is why pregnant women need to make sure they get enough vitamin B9 during pregnancy.
Vitamin B9 also encourages proper brain and normal nerve functioning, and may help reduce blood-levels of the amino acid homocysteine.

Vitamin B12, also called cyanocobalamin or cobalamin, aids in the production of RNA, DNA, and neurotransmitters:

It also affects the development and maintenance of red blood cells and nerve cells.

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