I want to know the benefits of daily consumption of Vitamin B to the body.
Emeka (by SMS)
B vitamins are a group of nutrients that play many important roles in your body. There are 8 types of B vitamins and are found in a variety of foods. This means most people get the recommended amounts of these vitamins through diet alone. Taking a B-complex vitamin may benefit your health if you do not get enough B vitamins from other sources.
This can include people who are pregnant, vegan, or have certain medical conditions. However, certain factors may mean your body needs more B vitamins. This includes: age, pregnancy, dietary choices, medical conditions, genetics, medications and alcohol use. In these circumstances, supplementing with B vitamins may be necessary. Nutritional supplements that contain all 8 B vitamins are referred to as B-complex vitamins or vitamin B complex. B vitamins are water-soluble, which means your body does not store them. For this reason, your diet must supply them each day. They have many important functions and are vital for maintaining good health.
B-complex supplements usually contain all eight B vitamins conveniently packed into one pill. Since B vitamins are found in many foods, you are most likely not at risk of developing a deficiency as long as you follow a well-rounded diet. However, certain circumstances increase the need for B vitamins, making supplements necessary. During pregnancy, the demand for B vitamins, particularly B12 and folate, grows.
This is because they are needed to support fetal development. In people who are pregnant or breastfeeding—especially those who follow vegetarian or vegan diets—supplementing with a B-complex vitamin is crucial. B12 or folate deficiency during pregnancy or while nursing can lead to severe neurological damage or birth defects in the fetus or infant.
As you age, your ability to absorb vitamin B12 decreases and your appetite declines, making it difficult for some people to get enough B12 through diet alone. The body’s ability to release B12 from food so that it can be absorbed depends on adequate amounts of stomach acid. However, it’s estimated that many older adults don’t produce enough stomach acid to properly absorb B12.
If you take medications to reduce stomach acid in order to treat acid reflux or heartburn, this can also inhibit your B12 absorption. What’s more, people who have undergone certain weight loss surgeries are also more likely to be deficient in B vitamins. In these circumstances, people are often advised to supplement with a B-complex vitamin to correct or prevent deficiencies.
READ ALSO: Can vitamins be too much
