What Is Vitamin B
When vitamins were discovered in the early 20th century, they were just just named A, B, C etc. Since the vitamin B was the second to be discovered so to speak, it got its name. Later on it was discovered that there were a number of, chemically different vitamins that were commonly present in certain foodstuffs, but which were all clubbed under the same name, Vitamin B.
As each of these chemicals were identified, they were classified as B1, B2, B3 etc. There are totally 8 different chemicals that make up the B vitamin, and collectively they are all known as vitamin B complex. Each of these vitamins have a different effect on the body which means that the deficiency of each of them will have different symptoms.
Having a collective deficiency in all 8 of the B vitamins is highly unlikely. We will therefore examine the symptoms that the deficiency of each of these vitamins will give.
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 is also known as thiamine and its deficiency causes beriberi which is a disease of the nervous system. This can result in weight loss, emotional disturbances, impaired sensory perceptions, irregular heart beat, edema (swelling of the tissues) and a general weakness and pain in the limbs.
Chronic deficiency can result in a disease called Korsakoff’s syndrome that is characterized by amnesia and confabulations. In severe cases of deficiency it can even cause heart failure leading to death.
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B2 is also called riboflavin and its deficiency causes ariboflavinosis. The symptoms can include high sensitivity to sunlight, cracked lips, inflamed tongue, oral mucosa, sore throat and pseudo-syphilis.
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Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3 is also known as niacin and its deficiency causes a disorder called pellagra. The symptoms of this disease are dermatitis, aggression, weakness, insomnia, diarrhea and mental confusion. In severely deficient cases it can lead to dementia and even death.
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Vitamin B5
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Vitamin B5 is also known as pantothenic acid and generally its deficiency only causes acne.
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Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is also known as pyridoxine and its deficiency can lead to microcytic anemia. The symptoms of this disease are dermatitis, water retention, high blood pressure, depression and high homocysteine levels.
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Vitamin B7
Vitamin B7 is also known as biotin and generally there are not many cases of vitamin B7 deficiency in adults. In children however a deficiency may cause neurological disorders and impaired growth. In very rare cases when people have multiple carboxylase deficiency it can lead to a deficiency in the vitamin even when the intake is sufficient to meet bodily needs.
Vitamin B9
Vitamin B9 is also called folic acid and its deficiency can lead to anemia and high levels of homocysteine. Folic acid is especially important in pregnant mothers because a deficiency in folic acid can lead to birth defects. Recent research also points to the fact that regular intake of sufficient folic acid can slow down age related deterioration in the brain.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is also called cobalamin and its deficiency can result in peripheral neuropathy, mania, psychosis memory and other cognitive loss apart from anemia and high homocysteine levels. Most often the deficiency of this vitamin is only in older people because absorption of vitamin B12 in the gut declines with age. The disease pernicious anemia is also another cause for the deficiency of the vitamin. In very extreme cases of deficiency it can lead to paralysis.
