What are the functions of various B vitamins?🔢🔢🔢

There are many kinds of vitamin B, such as vitamin B1, B2, B6, and B12. They all work in different ways and can relieve many different symptoms. They will be introduced one by one below.

1. Vitamin B1：Alcoholics should supplement in appropriate amounts.

Vitamin B1 is also called thiamine. Long-term alcohol consumption can cause vitamin B1 deficiency. Beriberi is another name for vitamin B1 deficiency. Its early symptoms include fatigue, headache, loss of appetite, muscle aches, etc. As the condition worsens, patients may develop edema, heart failure, peripheral neuropathy, and Wernicke's encephalopathy. 

Recommended supplementary foods: cereals, egg yolks, lean meat, milk, tomatoes, etc.

Vitamin B1 supplement: Vitamin B1 tablets are used to prevent and treat vitamin B1 deficiency, such as beriberi complicated with neuritis or indigestion. Adults take it orally three times a day, 10 to 20 mg each time.

2. Vitamin B2: Patients with angular stomatitis or chapped lips can supplement it in appropriate amounts.

Vitamin B2 is also called riboflavin. It has a close relationship with protein metabolism. Lack of vitamin B2 reduces the activity of lysyl oxidase, which affects the formation of collagen cross-links. It is considered to be a major cause of skin damage. Symptoms of vitamin B2 deficiency will first appear on the skin. The most common clinical manifestations are pale mucous membranes and ulcers at the corners of the mouth (angular stomatitis), cinnabar-red lips (cheilosis), and scrotal inflammation.

Recommended supplementary foods: animal liver, animal kidney, eggs, milk, soybeans, etc.

Vitamin B2 supplement: Vitamin B2 tablets are used to prevent and treat vitamin B2 deficiency, such as angular stomatitis, chapped lips, conjunctivitis, glossitis, scrotumitis, seborrheic dermatitis, etc. Adults take it orally 3 times a day, 5 to 10 mg each time. It is recommended to be taken after meals. After taking vitamin B2 tablets, the urine will turn yellow, which is a normal reaction.

3. Vitamin B3: Patients with pellagra can supplement it in appropriate amounts.

Niacin plays an important role in maintaining normal tissue, especially the integrity of the digestive tract, nervous system, and skin. Niacin deficiency is also known as pellagra. The clinical manifestations of pellagra are dementia, dermatitis, diarrhea and death. Dermatitis is its most typical symptom, usually appearing on exposed parts of the limbs and appearing symmetrically. It is manifested as a diffuse pigmented rash.

Recommended supplementary foods: animal liver, animal kidney, fish, meat, peanuts, soybeans, etc.

Niacin supplement: Niacin tablets are used to prevent and treat niacin deficiency disorders such as pellagra. Adults take it orally 5 times a day, 50 to 100 mg each time. It is not advisable to take more than 500 mg a day. Common adverse reactions include headache, skin redness (especially on the face and neck) and other vasodilation reactions. Taking large doses of niacin may cause arrhythmia, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, and liver toxicity.

4. Vitamin B6: Patients with seborrheic dermatitis can supplement it in appropriate amounts.

Vitamin B6 is involved in the metabolism of neurotransmitters and all amino acids. Patients lacking vitamin B6 will mainly suffer from skin and mucosal inflammation, including glossitis, stomatitis, seborrheic dermatitis and desquamative dermatitis. In addition, some patients may develop mental and neurological symptoms such as peripheral neuritis and depression.

Recommended supplementary foods: lean meat, liver, vegetables, etc.

Vitamin B6 supplement: Vitamin B6 tablets can be used to prevent and treat vitamin B6 deficiency such as chapped lips and seborrheic dermatitis. It can also be used to relieve pregnancy vomiting. Adults take 10 to 20 mg orally daily for three weeks. Long-term or excessive use of vitamin B6 may cause severe peripheral neuritis. Patients may experience abnormal nerve sensations, unsteady gait, and numbness in their hands and feet. Therefore, patients must take the recommended dosage, do not take excessive amounts, and should stop taking the medicine after 3 weeks.

5. Folic acid: Women preparing for pregnancy can supplement it in appropriate amounts.

Folic acid is also called vitamin B9, vitamin M or vitamin B11. Folic acid is an essential component for the synthesis of DNA and RNA. It participates in various metabolic links in the human body. It is an essential substance for the growth and reproduction of body cells. It is also involved in the maturation of red blood cells. Folic acid is also required for the development of the fetal nervous system.

Recommended supplementary foods: Animal liver, fruits, green vegetables, etc.

Folic acid supplement: Folic acid tablets are mainly used as supplements for pregnant and lactating women. It prevents congenital neural tube defects in fetuses. Women of childbearing age should take 0.4 mg orally once a day from the time of planning pregnancy to the end of the third month after pregnancy. Folic acid can turn urine yellow when taken in large amounts.

6. Vitamin B12: Patients with peripheral neuropathy can supplement it in appropriate amounts.

Vitamin B12 is also called cobalamin. It is the only vitamin that contains metallic elements. Vitamin B12 can increase the bioavailability of folic acid, thereby promoting the synthesis of DNA and nucleic acids. It is also an essential component required for the synthesis of nerve myelin lipoproteins. Patients lacking vitamin B12 may develop megaloblastic anemia and peripheral neuropathy. Methylcobalamin is the active form of vitamin B12 in the body.

Recommended supplementary foods: Dairy products, meat, eggs, fish, etc.

Vitamin B12 supplement: Methylcobalamin tablets are used to treat peripheral neuropathy and megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. Adults take 0.5 mg orally three times a day. Methylcobalamin is easily decomposed by light. Therefore, it should be used immediately after opening and should be protected from light. In addition, when used to treat peripheral neuropathy, if taking it for more than one month is ineffective, there is no need to continue taking it.

7. Other Vitamin B:

• Vitamin B4: It can be used to prevent and treat acute granulocytopenia and leukopenia caused by various causes (especially caused by tumor chemotherapy and radiotherapy and benzene poisoning).

• Vitamin B5: It is also called pantothenic acid. Pantothenic acid deficiency is rare in humans because pantothenic acid is widely present in food.

• Vitamin B7: It is also known as biotin or vitamin H. Biotin comes from a wide range of sources. Human intestinal bacteria can also synthesize it. Therefore, biotin deficiency rarely occurs. However, raw egg whites contain proteins that resist biotin, so long-term use of large amounts of raw egg whites may lead to biotin deficiency.