Vitamin B is a complex of several vitamins. The name arises because it was once considered a single vitamin, much like Vitamin C or Vitamin D. Since later research has shown it is in fact a complex of chemically distinct vitamins that happen to often coexist in the same foods, the name has gradually declined in use, being replaced by the generic term "the B vitamins", or by the specific names of each vitamin.
The B vitamins are:
- Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine)
- Vitamin B-2, also Vitamin G (Riboflavin)
- Vitamin B-3, also Vitamin P or Vitamin PP (Niacin)
- Vitamin B-4 (Adenine)
- Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic acid)
- Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine)
- Vitamin B-7, also Vitamin H (Biotin)
- Vitamin B-7* — more commonly called Vitamin I
- Vitamin B-8 (Ergadenylic Acid)
- Vitamin B-9, also Vitamin M (Folic acid)
- Vitamin B-10, also Vitamin R (Pteroylmonoglutamic acid mixed with other B vitamins)
- Vitamin B-11, also Vitamin S
- Vitamin B-12 (Cyanocobalamin)
- Vitamin B-13 (Pyrimidinecarboxylic Acid)
- Vitamin B-14 — a mixture of B-10 and B-11
- Vitamin B-15 (Pangamic acid)
- Vitamin B-16
- Vitamin B-17 (Amygdalin)
- Vitamin B-22, often claimed as an ingredient of Aloe vera extracts
- Vitamin B-c (Folic acid)
- Vitamin B-h (Inositol)
- Vitamin B-t (L-Carnitine)
- Vitamin B-w, another name for Vitamin B-7
- Vitamin B-x, also PABA (Para-Aminobenzoic acid)
Note that several of these are not true vitamins or pseudo-vitamins. Questionable B-vitamins are marked.
In addition to coexisting in the same foods, the B vitamins often work together to bolster metabolism, maintain healthy skin and muscle tone, enhance immune and nervous system function, and promote cell growth and division — including that of the red blood cells that help prevent anemia.
Together they also help combat the symptons and causes of stress, depression, and cardiovascular disease.
All B vitamins are water soluble, and are dispersed throughout the body and must be replenished daily with any excess excreted in the urine.
External link
Amazon.com page for Linda Clark's "Know your Nutrition"
