[Medical Q&A] What is quietly affecting the intake of vitamin B?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Zhao Jie, Chief Pharmacist Professor of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University

The correct name for "vitamin B" should be "vitamin B family", which mainly includes vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B7 (biotin), vitamin B9 (folic acid), and vitamin B12 (cobalamin). Each of these vitamins has unique functions and effects in the human body. They are involved in energy metabolism, red blood cell production, nervous system function, immune function, skin health, and many other aspects. Many factors can affect the intake of vitamin B.

Common foods that affect vitamin B intake: ① Clams and mussels contain substances that can decompose vitamin B1; ② Raw eggs, whose protein contains a kind of avidin that can combine with biotin and affect the absorption of vitamin B; ③ Foods containing boron (such as cucumbers, carrots, eggplants, etc.). When boron meets the digestive juices in the human body and combines with vitamin B6, it will form a complex, thereby affecting the absorption and utilization of vitamin B6; ④ Caffeinated beverages. Caffeine will stimulate the secretion of nerves and adrenaline, which will not only consume the existing vitamin B in the body, but also destroy the vitamin B just eaten; ⑤ Alcohol. Alcohol will affect the gastrointestinal absorption of vitamin B1, vitamin B5, vitamin B6 and vitamin B9. In addition, the ingredients in oral contraceptives will interfere with the metabolism and absorption of vitamin B5 and vitamin B6, and alkaline substances (such as gastrointestinal medicine containing sodium bicarbonate) will destroy vitamin B1. Because vitamin B is afraid of light, water, heat (mostly destroyed at 80°C), and oxidation, improper storage or taking methods will also affect its intake. Of course, a fast pace of life, high stress, and staying up late often require the consumption of a large amount of vitamin B, which can also easily lead to vitamin B deficiency.