Effects of Vitamin B for Brain Function and Weight Loss
The B vitamins act as part of coenzymes, which is a small molecule that combines with an enzyme and activates it. Enzymes are proteins that build that do a lot of work in the body and essentially help the body do what it needs to do for optimal health. There are 8 B vitamins including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, B6, B12, biotin, and pantothenic acid.
Let’s talk about the main positive effects of each one of these.
1. Thiamine
Thiamine helps our body to properly use carbohydrates, and it has a number of different positive effects on the body, including increasing energy, reducing stress, aiding with digestive problems, and inducing appetite. Some people recommend thiamine for metabolic disorders, and it is also recommended for most brain health supplements.
“Taking thiamine by mouth may help some complications of metabolic disorders associated with genetic diseases.” – Mayo Clinic
2. Riboflavin
Riboflavin also helps the body to properly use carbohydrates by releasing the energy from them. It has also shown to affect the metabolism of iron, which helps prevent anemia. In addition, riboflavin helps to recycle glutathione, which is an important antioxidant that helps to prevent cells.
3. Niacin
This vitamin is important for energy production and helps to convert fats, carbohydrates, and proteins into energy. It also plays a part in synthesizing starch that is stored and used by the liver and muscles for an energy source. It also helps to stamp out free radicals and protect the body against tissue damage.
4. Folate
This vitamin helps to create red blood cells, and a lack of it can cause anemia. Folate has also be shown to keep the blood vessels healthy in the body and promote a healthy heart. Lastly, women who are planning on having children can take folate before and during pregnancy to help reduce risks of birth defects.
5. B6
This vitamin has a hand in more than 100 enzyme reactions in the body, but is focused mostly on protein metabolism. It is also promotes the creation of chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine.
6. B12
This vitamin is essential for good health. It promotes healthy blood cells and is extremely important for healthy nerves. It also helps to maintain a healthy digestive system, and it can reduce blood pressure, protect against stroke, and improve unhealthy cholesterol levels. It also has a positive effect on the metabolism by turning the food we eat into energy.
7. Biotin
This vitamin helps to support the health of cells, metabolism, digestion, nerves, and skin. It has been used to improve blood sugar and has even shown promising effects of decreasing insulin resistance. It also has a role in metabolic function.
8. Pantothenic acid
This vitamin helps to convert carbohydrates as well as fats and proteins into energy. It is also very important to the manufacturing of red blood cells. And, it helps to manufacture stress-related hormones and sex hormones. It also helps maintain a healthy digestive system, and it encourages the body to use other vitamins, including B vitamins.
It is important to note that including all the separate positive effects of vitamin B, they all have a part in converting food into fuel, especially when it comes to carbohydrates, which also helps boost the metabolism for a number of health and weight benefits.