B vitamins acts primarily as coenzymes, or as parts of coenzymes (compounds that enables specific enzymes to function). Scientists know that B vitamins influence several important bodily functions:
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) help the body produce energy and affect enzymes that influence the muscles, nerves, and heart.
Thiamine is the vitamin portion of the coenzymes thiamin pyrophosphate TPP), which participates in a vital reactions known as decarboxylation which removes a carboxyl group and release it as carbon dioxide.
Vitamin B1 and vitamin B2, is required for multiple bodily functions that are likely to directly and indirectly influence immune function.
Vitamin B3 (niacin) also has a role in energy production in cells and in maintaining the health of the skin, nervous system, and digestive system.
Niacin deficiency leads to pellagra.
Niacin is active in the human body in two coenzyme forms: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP).
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) influences normal growth and development.
It is essential for life as component of coenzyme A where it is involved in gene expression through replication of DNA and transcription of DNA and transcription of cell messages in cell signaling.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) helps the body break down protein, and helps maintain the health of red blood cells, the nervous system, and parts of the immune system.
Vitamin B6, functions as a coenzymes, usually in the form of pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) for more than 100 enzymes. PLP facilitates the transfer of amino groups and in thus critical for the production of nonessential amino acids.
Vitamin B7 (biotin) helps break down protein, and carbohydrates, and helps the body make hormones.
It is used to the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats as well as to support adrenal function. It helps maintain a healthy nervous system.
Vitamin B9 (folic acid) helps the cells in the body make and maintain DNA, and is important in the production of red blood cells.
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) plays a role in growth, development, the production of blood cells, the functions of the nervous system, and how the body uses folic acid and carbohydrates.
Vitamin B12 is essential to the conversion of folate to an activated form. Without vitamin B12, folate cannot function in DNA synthesis or blood cell synthesis, nor can it metabolize homocysteine.
The importance of vitamin B complex
