B Vitamins

There are eight different types of B vitamins available that can assist the body in normal function. Each of the individual B vitamins come from different sources and offer the body different benefits. All of the B vitamins are water soluble vitamins, meaning that they easily dissolve in water. Originally, all of the B vitamins were considered one vitamin, because they often do come from the same sources, but later it was discovered that each of the eight are chemically different. You can often take supplements of one type of B vitamin, or you can take ones that contain all eight of the B vitamins, and these are usually called a vitamin B complex.

The human body needs all of the B vitamins to function correctly, and if there is a vitamin B deficiency, there can be many ill results. Depending on the type of deficiency, meaning which vitamin B is lacking in the body, the symptoms will vary all the way from acne and weight loss to heart difficulties and death. Symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency can include anemia and memory loss. In severe cases of a vitamin B deficiency, paralysis can even occur. This occurs because the benefits of B12 vitamin are typically cognitive. The benefits of other vitamin B can be acne regulation, and vitamin B6 helps prevent depression and high blood pressure. Since many people are unsure of how much of each of the B vitamins they need, and where each comes from, they will simply take B complex vitamin supplements to ensure they are receiving the proper amount of each.

There are many foods high in B vitamins, including bananas, liver, potatoes, and more. Foods with vitamin B often consist of more than one type, but may not have all the types. A common myth about vitamin B foods is that, since it is also found in yeast, that the vitamins can be obtained through beer. While B vitamins are actually present in beers that aren’t filtered several times, the alcohol interferes with the body’s ability to process vitamins, so the presence of B vitamins does not help the body.

Many people take vitamin B for a variety of reasons, such as vitamin B for acne, energy, or simply daily health when they don’t consume enough through foods. Since B vitamins are water soluble, they are easily digested and need to be replenished daily, and it is difficult to experience a vitamin B overdose. Typically, the only vitamin B complex side effects experienced are positive ones.