Vitamin B Group

B Vitamins are Class of water soluble vitamins that play important roles in cell metabolism.

B Vitamin family is made up of eight B Vitamins. Although they are commonly recognise as a group
and often work together in the body. Each of the B Vitamins performs unique and important functions.

Vitamin B1 - [Thiamin]

Also known as Vitamin B1, thiamin is needed to help produce cellular energy from the foods you eat, and also supports normal nervous system function.

 Thiamin is found in a wide variety of foods, with some of the best sources coming from lentils, whole grains and pork. Thiamin can also be found in red meats, yeast, nuts, sunflower seeds, peas, milk, cauliflower, spinach and legumes.

Cautions- Anaphylaxis may occasionally follow injection.

MHRA/CHM Advice (september 2007)

   Although potentially serious allergic adverse reactions may rarely occur during, or shortly after,pareneral administration, the CHM has recommended that;

    01. This should not preclude the use of parenteral thiamine in patients where this route           of administration is required, particularly in patients ad risk if Wernicke-                         Korsakoff syndrome where treatment with thiamine is essential.

    Notes:  WKS is usually found in chronic alcoholics. Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome results from thiamine deficiency. It is generally agreed that Wernicke's encephalopathy results from severe acute deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B₁), whilst Korsakoff's psychosis is a chronic neurologic sequela of Wernicke's encephalopathy. The metabolically active form of thiamine is thiamine pyrophosphate, which plays a major role as a cofactor or coenzyme in glucose metabolism. The enzymes which are dependent on thiamine pyrophosphate are associated with the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle), and catalyze the oxidation of pyruvate, α-ketoglutarate and branched chain amino acids. Thus, anything that encourages glucose metabolism will exacerbate an existing clinical or sub-clinical thiamine deficiency.

    02. Intravenous administration should be by infusion over 30 minutes. 

   Notes:Typically, “infusion therapy” means that a drug is administered intravenously, or subcutaneously. The term may pertain where drugs are provided through other non-oral routes, such as intramuscular injections and epidural routes (into the membranes surrounding the spinal cord).

    03. Facilities for treating anaphylaxis (including resuscitation facilities)should be                   available when parenteral thiamine is administered.

   Notes: the action or process of reviving someone from unconsciousness or apparent death.

Breast Feeding- severely thiamine-deficient mothers should avoid breast feeding as toxic                            methyl-glyoxal present in milk. 

Dose - Mild Deficiency---> By mouth, 25-100mg daily; severe deficiency, 200-300mg                 daily in divided doses. 

 Vitamin B2 - [Riboflavin]

Also known as vitamin B2, riboflavin supports cellular energy production. Riboflavin is found in a variety of foods such as fortified cereals, milk, eggs, salmon, beef, spinach and broccoli.

Pharmaceutical Preparations- Injections of Vitamin B and C,Ora; Vitamin B Complex Preparations.

Vitamin B3 - [Niacin]

 Niacin is also known as vitamin B3, and supports cellular energy production. Niacin, in the form of nicotinic acid, helps support cardiovascular health. Good sources of niacin include beef, poultry and fish as well as whole wheat bread, peanuts and lentils.

 Vitamin B5 - [Phentothenic Acid]

Pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, is widely available in plant and animal food sources and helps support cellular energy production in the body. Rich sources include organ meats (liver, kidney), egg yolk, whole grains, avocados, cashew nuts, peanuts, lentils, soybeans, brown rice, broccoli, and milk.

Vitamin B6 - [Pyridoxine]

Involved in over 100 cellular reactions throughout the body, vitamin B6 is instrumental in keeping various bodily functions operating at their best. Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is needed to metabolise amino acids and glycogen (the body’s storage form of glucose), and is also necessary for normal nervous system function and red blood cell formation.† Vitamin B6 is fairly abundant in the diet and can be found in foods such as meat, poultry, eggs, bananas, fish, fortified cereal grains and cooked spinach.

Side Effects- sensory neuropathy reported with high doses given for extended periods.

dose-

• Defieciency states- 20-50 mg up to three time daiy 

• Izoniazid-induced neuropathy,prophilaxis 10mg daily

•  Idiopathic sideroblatic anaemia, 100-400 mg daily in divided doses.
• Premestrual syndrome, 50 - 100 mg daily

 Notes; prolonged use of pyridoxine in a dose of 10 mg is considered safe but the long-term use of pyridoxine in a dose of 200 mg or more daily has been associated with neuropathy. The safety of long-term pyridoxine supplementation with doses above 10 mg daily has not been established.

Neuropathy;  disease or dysfunction of one or more peripheral nerves, typically causing numbness or weakness.

Vitamin B7 - [Biotin]

 Biotin, or vitamin B7, is commonly found in foods such as brewer’s yeast, strawberries, organ meat, cheese and soybeans. For those who are biotin deficient, studies show that biotin may help support healthy hair, skin and nails. Biotin also supports carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism.

Vitamin B9 - [Folic Acid]

Also known as vitamin B9, folic acid is most commonly known for its role in fetal health and development as it plays a critical role in the proper development of the baby’s nervous system. This important developmental process occurs during the initial weeks of pregnancy, and so adequate folic acid intake is especially important for all women of child-bearing age. Adequate folic acid in healthful diets may reduce a woman’s risk of having a child with a neural tube defect. Fortified foods such as breads and cereals are good dietary sources of folic acid. Other good sources are dark green leafy vegetables such as asparagus and spinach as well as brewer’s yeast, liver, fortified orange juice, beets, dates and avocados.

Vitamin B12 -[Cobalamin]

 Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, plays a critical role in the pathways of the body that produce cellular energy. It is also needed for DNA synthesis, proper red blood cell formation and for normal nervous system function. Individuals who follow vegan or vegetarian diets may benefit from a B12 supplement since B12 is predominantly found in foods of animal origin such as chicken, beef, fish, milk and eggs.