B vitamins are grouped together as they function in concert with each other. For example folate (B9) activates cobalamin (B12) and vice versa. B vitamins are sourced from similar foods, and often a deficiency in one means a deficiency in others. In saying that, deficiency is rare in New Zealand and usually due to a very restrictive diet such as vegan, alcoholism, or impaired functioning of the gut. The best dietary sources of B vitamins come from animal products such as red meat, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy. In addition, green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes are all good food sources of B vitamins.
B Vitamins are soluble which means the body requires them in regular small doses preferably daily which can be achieved by a balanced diet. Often B vitamins are described as giving the body energy. This is partly true, they function as coenzymes in energy metabolism. Which means they enable the energy provided by fat, CHO, lipids, and alcohol to be transferred to the body’s energy currency ATP. B vitamins have numerous other functions in the body. Some examples are: the production of antibodies, nerve conduction, bone cell activity, and the growth of new cells such red blood cells and the linings of the gut.
You said that your body requires B vitamins daily...what foods should I be eating to make sure I get my daily dose of Vit B's? and what about Vitamin tables? Are they really a good way to top up on the vitamins you might miss from a healthy diet?
ReplyDeleteB Vitamins can be obtained from different food sources, like vegetables and fruits. They're grouped because they focus mostly on a single factor for our health.
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