Vitamin B complex consists of eight water soluble vitamins that exist as a family. These vitamins namely thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, folic acid, biotin and B12 work in association with each other for proper functioning of the nervous and immune system. These B vitamins are also responsible for enhancing metabolism, maintaining healthy skin and muscles, encouraging cell growth and regulating other vital functions of the human body.
All the vitamins except Vitamin B12 are derived from fortified food sources such as green leafy vegetables, milk and liver. Vitamin B 12 is derived form animal sources. If an adequate amount of vitamin is not consumed in the daily diet, it leads to deficiency of Vitamin B.
It's strange to believe that deficiencies of B complex vitamins are still seen. This is because of poor supply of vitamin rich foods in developing countries. Some of the other most common causes of these deficiencies include stress, intake of processed foods, use of refined sugar, drugs that deplete layers of B vitamins, external toxins, cooking and malnutrition.
Individuals suffering from B complex vitamin deficiencies show signs of mental defects, heart palpitations, chronic fatigue, restlessness, rashes, insomnia, nervousness, indigestion, fibrillation, tingling, frustration and soreness all over.
Deficiency of Vitamin B1 causes Beri-Beri, a nutritional disorder showing symptoms of pain, loss of feeling, tingling, muscle damage and even death.
Vitamin B2 deficiency causes skin lesions and light sensitivity resulting in rashes and dryness.
Deficiency of Vitamin B3 causes pellagra, a skin disease showing signs of sunburn, roughness, diarrhea, swollen tongue and mental instability.
Deficiency of Vitamin B6 shows symptoms of smooth tongue, skin diseases, nausea, dizziness, anemia and kidney stones whereas deficiency of Vitamin B12 leads to pernicious anemia.
These deficiencies of b complex vitamins can be curbed by consuming the right amount of vitamin enriched food sources. B vitamin supplements can also contribute in preventing or curing vitamin b deficiencies.