Vitamin B
A group of water-soluble vitamins that, although not chemically related, are often found together in the same kinds of food (including milk, liver, and cereals).
Vitamin B1 is required for carbohydrate metabolism; a deficiency leads to beriberi. Vitamin B2
is important for oxygen exchange in the tissues. Vitamin B6 is involved in protein metabolism. Vitamin B12
is necessary for the synthesis of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), the maintenance of myelin (an important component of certain nerve cells), and the proper functioning of folic acid. B12 can be absorbed only in the presence of intrinsic factor, a protein secreted in the stomach.
A deficiency of vitamin B12 affects nearly all the body tissues, particularly those containing rapidly dividing cells. The most serious effects of a deficiency are pernicious anaemia (due to deficiency of intrinsic factor) and degeneration of the nervous system.
Vitamin B12 is contained only in foods of animal origin. Other members of the B complex include nicotinamide, aminobenzoic acid, pantothenic acid, panthenol, inositol, and biotin.
B group vitamins are used to treat specific diseases due to deficiencies of these vitamins and also to prevent deficiency in people considered to be at risk (e,g. pregnant women). They are available as specific vitamin supplements and are also included in numerous multivitamin preparations; many iron supplements also contain B group vitamins.
Proprietary preparations:
Vigranon B (syrup); ABIDEC (combined with vitamins A, C, and D); DALIVIT (combined with vitamins A, C, and D); PABRINEX (combined with vitamin C).