Our bodies need B-Vitamins to function. We can’t make them naturally, so we pack our diets with fruits, veggies, proteins and fiber, and take supplements to get them. But even then, sometimes our diet and lifestyle just doesn’t give us the coverage we need.
Here are all the B vitamins and why it’s important to have enough of each in your diet, according to the latest studies:
VITAMIN B1
Vitamin B1 is also known as thiamin or thiamine – which is an essential nutrient that all tissues of the body need to function properly. Vitamin B1 is found in many foods including yeast, cereal grains, beans, nuts, and meat. It’s water-soluble and very important for energy metabolism and the healthy growth and function of our body’s cells.* We can’t produce thiamin on our own, which means we have to get it through our diet.
VITAMIN B2
Vitamin B-2, or riboflavin, is naturally found in some foods such as grains, plants, and dairy products. It is crucial for breaking down food components, absorbing other nutrients, and maintaining tissues.
One interesting thing about riboflavin (and other B vitamins as well) is its connection to the bacteria in your gut. Certain microbes living in the large intestine can produce riboflavin, which can then be absorbed and used by your body. If you need a little extra motivation to eat your veggies, you’ll be happy to know that studies have shown that more riboflavin is produced after eating vegetables than meats.
VITAMIN B3
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is an important nutrient. In fact, every part of your body needs it to function properly. Vitamin B3 is important for converting food to energy by helping enzymes do their job.* Furthermore, it plays a role in cell signaling and making and repairing DNA, in addition to acting as an antioxidant (3). Recent studies show that Vitamin B3 may help the innate immune system kill antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria, the so-called “superbugs”. Eggs, fish, and legumes all contain great levels of this vitamin.
VITAMIN B5
Vitamin B5 is also known as pantothenic acid, or Pantothenate. The word pantothenic comes from the Greek “pantou,” meaning everywhere. Nearly all foods contain small quantities of pantothenic acid. Vitamin B5 is a water-soluble vitamin from the B group of vitamins. It helps produce energy by breaking down fats and carbohydrates. It also promotes healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver. People need B5 to synthesize and metabolize fats, proteins, and coenzyme A. So what foods contain B5? There’s good news and bad news here. The good news is that almost all whole foods (both plant-based and animal-based) contain B5 to some degree. The bad news is that processing decreases the amount of B5 in a food by as much as 80 percent.
VITAMIN B6
Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is one of the B vitamins that benefits the central nervous system. Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that your body needs for several functions. It’s significant to protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism and the creation of red blood cells and neurotransmitters. Your body cannot produce vitamin B6, so you must obtain it from foods or supplements. According to the FDA, it may also help to support a healthy vascular system when combined with a well-balanced, heart-healthy diet.*
VITAMIN B7
You’re probably already familiar with vitamin B7, which is more commonly referred to as biotin. Biotin is pretty famous for its ability to promote healthy skin, but it’s also important for immune system health and—you guessed it!—energy production and metabolism.* Salmon, sunflower seeds, sweet potato, and eggs are great sources of biotin.
VITAMIN B9
Vitamin B9 was first discovered in yeast, but later isolated from spinach leaves. For this reason, it was given the names folic acid or folate, words derived from the Latin word folium, meaning “leaf.” Vitamin B9 acts as a coenzyme and is essential for cell growth, DNA formation and amino acid metabolism. It is very important during periods of rapid cell division and growth, such as pregnancy and giving Vitamin B9 to your kids! Additionally, it is required for the formation of red and white blood cells, so deficiency may lead to anemia.
NutriDrip IM Super B’s Booster shot is 100% bioavailable, meaning that your body absorbs the total amount, and is the highest quality nutrient that benefits your health. The 5 second shot combines 6 powerful B Vitamins including Methylcobalamin B12. These B Vitamins boost your body’s systems that support mood, energy production, memory, immune system and even hair and nail health.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
