There are many types of B vitamins, each with different functions. The pharmacist tells you the difference.

A friend asked Huazi a question, why is there only one kind of vitamin A, C, D, E, etc., but there are many kinds of vitamin B, such as B1, B2, B4, B6, etc.? Moreover, when treating many minor illnesses, doctors recommend supplementing vitamin B. What is the use of it?

Huazi said that in fact, there are not only one kind of vitamins such as A, C, D, and E, but there are also many classifications, but they are less used in clinical practice and are not familiar to everyone.

1. The origin of vitamin B family

The reason why there are so many vitamin Bs is actually because of human ignorance. In the beginning, humans only classified vitamins into fat-soluble vitamins (named vitamin A) and water-soluble vitamins (named vitamin B). When water-soluble vitamins were discovered, they were directly named vitamin B1, B2, B3...

As more and more vitamins were discovered, the differences between them became very large. People felt that the previous naming principles were not good, so they named vitamins C, D, E, etc.

People have discovered that the named members of the B vitamin family are not the same type of substance. However, the names B1, B2, B6... have been used for many years, and everyone is used to them, so they simply don't change them.

2. Different B vitamins have different functions

1. Vitamin B1: Also known as thiamine, it participates in the formation of coenzymes and maintains the normal operation of the human nervous and circulatory systems. A deficiency will cause "beriberi". This disease is different from beriberi caused by fungal infection. People with a B1 deficiency will experience peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, paresthesia, heart enlargement, heart failure, and severe cases are life-threatening.

2. Vitamin B2: Also known as riboflavin, it participates in the formation of coenzymes and promotes the growth of human cells and mucous membranes. People who are deficient in it are prone to oral ulcers, angular cheilitis, seborrheic dermatitis, keratitis and other mucous membrane diseases.

3. Vitamin B3: Also known as niacin, it participates in the formation of coenzymes and has a regulating effect on blood lipids. It is now mainly used for lipid-lowering treatment. It can also maintain the integrity of the skin, digestive tract, and nervous system.

4. Vitamin B4: also known as adenine, it participates in the synthesis of nucleic acids and coenzymes. It is now commonly used to treat leukopenia caused by radiotherapy, chemotherapy or benzene poisoning.

5. Vitamin B5: Also known as pantothenic acid, it can participate in the body's nutritional metabolism and promote the decomposition of acetic acid in the three major nutrients (sugar, fat, and protein). It is widely present in nature and is not easily deficient.

6. Vitamin B6: Also known as pyridoxine, it is a component of many coenzymes, participates in many metabolic reactions, and is closely related to amino acid metabolism. It is mainly used in clinical treatment of emetics, such as vomiting during pregnancy and vomiting during radiotherapy.

7. Vitamin B7: also known as biotin, it is involved in the metabolism of fat and protein. It is widely present in nature and is almost not lacking.

8. Vitamin B8: Also known as inositol, it can accelerate the decomposition of fat and support the healthy function of cells. It is widely present and almost never lacks.

9. Vitamin B9, B10, B11: These three vitamins mostly refer to folic acid, which is a component of various coenzymes and participates in the synthesis of cellular DNA and RNA. Large doses are used to prevent and treat megaloblastic anemia; small doses taken by pregnant women can prevent congenital neurological malformations in the fetus; they can also reduce the level of homocysteine ​​in the blood and reduce the risk of heart and brain diseases in patients with H-type hypertension.

10. Vitamin B12: also known as cobalamin, it can increase the utilization of folic acid and promote the synthesis of nerve myelin lipoprotein. It is mainly used to prevent and treat megaloblastic anemia and peripheral neuropathy.

3. Dietary diversity ensures nutritional balance

Vitamin B is very important to the human body, but it is also found in many foods, such as cereals, lean meat, animal offal, eggs, beans, milk, etc. As long as the diet is diverse, it is generally not deficient. To maintain a diverse diet, it is recommended to eat no less than 12 kinds of food per day and no less than 25 kinds of food per week.

If you have symptoms of vitamin B deficiency, you can choose a compound containing multiple vitamin B supplements, because different vitamin Bs can promote each other's absorption, and taking them together can better supplement nutrition. However, if it is used to treat diseases, you need to use large doses of medicinal vitamin B under the guidance of a doctor.

In summary, different B vitamins have different effects. Maintaining a regular diet and ensuring dietary diversity can prevent B vitamin deficiency. If related diseases occur, large doses of medicinal vitamins need to be used, which needs to be done under the guidance of a doctor. If you have any questions about medication, please consult a doctor or pharmacist. I am pharmacist Huazi, welcome to follow me and share more health knowledge.