Knowra B vitamins B vitamins B vitamins are eight water-soluble nutrients—thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12—that support metabolism, blood-cell production, and nervous-system function.
Thiamin : Thiamin, or vitamin B1, is a water-soluble nutrient needed for energy metabolism and nerve function. Its active form helps enzymes process carbohydrates and branched-chain amino acids.
Coenzyme : A coenzyme is a small organic molecule that assists an enzyme in catalyzing a reaction. Many B vitamins become coenzymes or supply the chemical groups they carry.
Dietary reference intake : Dietary reference intakes are quantitative nutrient guidelines used to plan and assess diets. Separate intake recommendations are set for each B vitamin and life stage.
Vitamin C : Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin required for collagen synthesis, antioxidant functions, and other processes. It is another water-soluble vitamin, but it is not part of the B-vitamin group.
Megaloblastic anemia : Megaloblastic anemia is a blood disorder marked by abnormally large, immature red blood cells caused by impaired DNA synthesis. Folate or vitamin B12 deficiency can disrupt DNA production in developing blood cells.
Riboflavin : Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, is a water-soluble nutrient used to make the coenzymes FMN and FAD. FMN and FAD carry electrons in reactions that release cellular energy.
NAD : NAD is a coenzyme that transfers electrons in metabolic reactions and also serves as a substrate for signaling enzymes. Niacin supplies the molecular building block for NAD.
Vitamin B12 deficiency : Vitamin B12 deficiency is a state of inadequate cobalamin that can impair blood-cell production and damage nerves. It illustrates how a single B-vitamin deficiency can cause both anemia and neurological symptoms.
Fat-soluble vitamins : Fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are absorbed with dietary fat and can be stored in body tissues. Their absorption and storage differ from the water-soluble B vitamins.
Neural tube defect : A neural tube defect is a congenital condition caused by incomplete closure of the embryonic neural tube. Low folate around conception increases risk, and folic acid intake helps prevent these defects.
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