Your Good Health

The Rest of the B Vitamins

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This installment will cover the rest of the B vitamins, vitamins B6-B12. The B vitamins make up a complex of eight vitamins that play important roles at the cellular level in the body.

Vitamin B6
Known most commonly as pyridoxine, vitamin B6 also supports enzyme functions in the body—about 100 enzyme functions in all. Some of these functions include supporting the immune system in synthesizing antibodies, producing white blood cells in the lymphoid organs, and helping to form red blood cells. Vitamin B6 also supports healthy nerve function.

Vitamin B7
Commonly called biotin, vitamin B7 works in the body as an enzyme cofactor. It attaches at active sites of enzymes called carboxylases to help facilitate glucose production, fatty acid synthesis, and amino acid metabolism. Like the other B vitamins, biotin also assists in protein, fat, and amino acid metabolism.

Vitamin B9
Listed as folic acid on fortified food and supplement labels, vitamin B9 plays an important role in the formation of healthy cells. Vitamin B9 plays an important role in supporting fast growing tissues and cells such as immune cells and red blood cells. Vitamin B9 also helps the body process iron properly and is an important vitamin during pregnancy.

Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 assists with normal nerve cell health, DNA replication, red blood cell formation and the production of SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine). SAMe is required in more than 40 biochemical reactions in the body and helps produce brain chemicals and joint tissues. Vitamin B12 also helps maintain normal energy levels and supports the immune system.