Vitamins! Everyday, I am asked about vitamins! Which is great because I feel that most health “issues” should first be treated with lifestyle changes and vitamin supplementation.

I find the family of B-vitamins quite confusing.  I think one of the reasons the B vitamins are puzzling is because half of them go by a number (B12) and the rest are known by names (folate)…odd.  So, I thought I’d try to demystify the B-vitamins by reviewing the most used ones.

In general, vitamin B deficiencies causes anemias, dermatitis, lack of energy and skin lesions.  If you are taking a multivitamin, you are most likely NOT severely deficient in any of the B vitamins.  However, that doesn’t mean a little extra something, won’t help!  I often recommend B-complex to help with energy levels, biotin (B7) to help nail and hair health and folic acid (B9)during pregnancy.

Let’s start at the very beginning (a very good place to start :)…

1.  B1 (thiamine): It is necessary for carb metabolism; Used to treat Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome and alcohol withdrawal; It causes the gross “vitamin odor”

2. B2 (riboflavin): Deficiency is marked by lesions in the mouth, lips, tongue and eyes; Can make urine a red-green-orange fluorescence color.

3. B3 (niacin): Deficiency symptoms are dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia and pellagra; Too much can cause belly upset and flushing; Used to treat high cholesterol.

4. B6 (pyridoxine):Levels that are too high or too low can cause convulsions and skin lesions; People taking birth control pills, hydralazine and isoniazid (INH) need higher levels.

5. B7 (biotin) -also called vitamin H: Deficiency can cause dermatitis, depression, lack of energy; Used to help hair and nail health.

6. B9 (folic acid/folate): Deficiency can cause mouth sores, CNS damage and megaloblastic anemia; Very important in pregnancy!

7. B12 (cyanocobalamin): Low levels will cause pernicious anemia, lack of energy and glossitis (tongue swelling); Used to treat deficiency and to increase energy.

Helpful Hint:  Most people know about iron deficiency but less known is folate and  B12 deficiency anemia.  If a patient has anemia but iron levels are normal, it is super important to have B12 and folate levels checked.

I hope this helps clears up the complexity of the vitamin Bs some.  Have any questions or stories?  Love to hear them!  Please leave a comment or send an email -nova@getpharmacyadvice.com