Vitamin B9

Vitamin B9 is water soluble vitamin. Its synthetic form folic acid (FA) used in fortification and supplements, are critical to human health due to their role in one-carbon transfer reactions required for biological methylation and nucleotide biosynthesis.

Folate is the natural form of vitamin B9. The name folate comes from folium, which is the Latin word for leaves, because folates were first isolated from spinach. Folate is critical to human health as it mediates one carbon transfer reactions important to processes such as nucleotide biosynthesis, the methionine cycle and biological methylation.

Folate is added to foods and sold as a supplement in the form of folic acid; this form is actually better absorbed than that from food sources.

Vitamin B9 is important as it helps the body as a coenzyme to
• utilize amino acids, the building blocks of proteins
• playing an essential role in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis,
• maintenance of DNA integrity and DNA repair
• form blood cells in the bone marrow and for healthy cell growth and function
• ensure rapid cell growth in infancy, adolescence, and pregnancy
• control (together with vitamin B6 and vitamin B12) blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine, associated with certain chronic conditions such as heart disease.

The chemical formula of folic acid is C19H19N7O6. The core of the molecule consists of heterocyclic pterin structure, with a methyl group in the sixth position bound to para-aminobenzoic and glutamic acids so that folic acid presents pteroylglutamic acid.

Folate deficiency can result from inadequate intake, defective absorption, abnormal metabolism or increased requirements. This type of deficiency is no longer a problem in many countries that fortify foods such as cereal and pasta with folic acid.

Early symptoms of folate deficiency are non-specific and may include tiredness, irritability and loss of appetite. Severe folate deficiency leads to megaloblastic anemia, a condition in which the bone marrow produces oversized immature red blood cells.

Folate is found mainly in dark green leafy vegetables, beans, peas and nuts. Fruits rich in folate include oranges, lemons, bananas, melons and strawberries. Men and women ages 19 years and older should aim for 400 mcg DFE. Pregnant and lactating women require 600 mcg DFE and 500 mcg DFE, respectively.
Vitamin B9

The importance of B complex vitamin for depression

Depression can happen to anyone. It is estimated that about 15 percent of us will have at least one bout of depression in their lifetimes that’s severe enough to require medical attention.

Because folic acid and the B-complex vitamins including B1, B2, B3, B6 and B12 are known involved in the synthesis of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, there has been considerable interest in their capacity to ameliorate mood disorders.

Serotonin is a brain chemical that transmits signals between nerve cells and causes blood vessels to narrow, while dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain's reward and pleasure centers. Norepinephrine is a substance that is released predominantly from the ends of sympathetic nerve fibers and that acts to increase the force of skeletal muscle contraction and the rate and force of contraction of the heart.

Vitamins are an essential component of human diet for proper health maintenance. Each vitamin has a distinct chemical structure and has important roles in proper functioning of key reactions within cellular metabolism and gene expression. Dr. Kim Skarupski in 2010 found a lower incidence of depression symptoms in association with higher intake, including supplementation, of vitamins B6, B12 and folate among a population of more than 3,000 older community residents.

Folate influences the production of the neurotransmitters involved in depression and has been used as a booster for antidepressants in people who have folate deficiency.
The importance of B complex vitamin for depression

Folic Acid & Cobalamin

A deficiency of folate or vitamin B12 may increase the level of homocysteine, an amino normally found in the blood.

High levels of homocysteine may damage coronary arteries or make it easier for blood clotting cells called platelets to clump together and form clot.

In the absence of either vitamin B12 or folic acid, DNA synthesis is impaired and the developing red cells in the bone marrow exhibit a characteristic disturbance of cell maturation.

Folic acid is a B-group vitamin that is needed for healthy growth and development. The word of folic acid is derived from the Latin ‘folium’ mean ‘leaf’.

Folic acid is required for the formation of blood cells by bone marrow and is involved in the formation of the blood pigment hemoglobin.

It is also required for the synthesis of some amino acids. Deficiency symptoms involved pernicious anemia.

This vitamin is known as folate when it is found naturally in food, such as green leafy vegetables, and as folic acid when it is added to food, such as bread and breakfast cereals or used in dietary supplements.

Nuts, dried beans, turnips, lentils corn, and shredded wheat are good sources of this vitamin, while liver and wheat bran are excellent.

Vitamin B-12 or cobalamin is a very complex chemical compound. This vitamin is required for the normal development of red blood cells, and a deficiency in it causes acute pernicious anemia and a variety of other disorders.

Vitamin B12 is unique among vitamins in that it is synthesized in nature by bacteria. It is found in the tissues of animal which require the vitamin for critical functions in cellular division and growth.

The organs of animals are excellent sources of vitamin B-12 and the muscles of warm blooded animals and fish are good sources. Vitamin B12 is found in meat, liver and other foods in animal protein.

Folic acid supplements can correct the anemia associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, Unfortunately, folic acid will not correct changes in the nervous system that result from vitamin B12 deficiency.
Folic Acid & Cobalamin
Folic Acid & Cobalamin

Food Source of Niacin, Vitamin B6, and Folic Acid

Food Source of Niacin, Vitamin B6, and Folic Acid
Niacin or Nicotinamide nicotinic acid
In Central Europe a niacin deficiency is likely only when the diet deviates greatly from the common practices.

Severe alcoholics are especially at risk. On average, more than twice the recommended intake is consumed with the diet, about half in the form of pre-synthesized niacin and half as tryptophan.

About 50% of the pre-synthesized niacin is derived from meat and fish, which also provide about 30% of the dietary tryptophan. About 25% of the tryptophan comes from milk and eggs.

Vitamin B6
The following foods contribute significantly or are rich vitamin B6;
Meat and liver
Certain types of fish (e.g. sardine, mackerel
Milk and its products
Certain types of cheese (e.g. camembert)
Whole grain products
Some types of vegetables (cabbage green beans)
Potatoes

Folic acid
Folate rich foods,, and those which contribute significantly to the dietary requirements are for example, certain types of vegetables (tomatoes, cabbage family, spinach, beets, cucumbers) bread and baked goods (especially those from whole grain flour). Potatoes, meat, liver, milk and milk products, some kinds of cheese, and eggs.

Wheat germs and soy beans are specially rich in folate.
Food Source of Niacin, Vitamin B6, and Folic Acid

Folic Acid and Cobalamin

Folic Acid and Cobalamin
Folic Acid
Folic acid is required for the formation of blood cells by the bone marrow and is involved in the formation of the blood pigment hemoglobin. It is also required for the synthesis of some amino acids. Deficiency symptoms involve pernicious anemia. Nuts, dried beans, turnips, lentils, corn and shredded wheat are good sources of this vitamin, while liver and wheat bran are excellent.

Cobalamin
B12 or cobalamin is a very complex chemical compound. This vitamin is required for the normal development of red blood cells, and a deficiency in it causes acute pernicious anemia and a variety of other disorders. The exact requirement of vitamin B12 is yet unknown, since some B12 is synthesized by bacteria in the intestine. The organs of animals are excellent sources of vitamin B12 and the muscles of warm-blooded animals and fish are good sources.
Folic Acid and Cobalamin