B vitamins - who should take them?
There is no denying the role of vitamins in the daily diet for the proper functioning of the body and maintaining optimum health. Who should take B vitamins? When should you be particularly careful?
Properties and function of B vitamins in humans
One of the most important properties of B vitamins is their great influence on the state and functioning of the nervous system. They help the body deal with the increased feeling of psychosomatic fatigue, maintain optimal energy metabolism, maintain normal psychological functions and synthesize a number of important neurotransmitters such as dopamine,
GABA, norepinephrine, and serotonin. In addition, a deficiency in some B vitamins (such as B6) increases the risk of developing neurological problems such as dementia, cognitive impairment, or a bad mood in the form of depression.
Another equally important role for B vitamins is to support the immune system. Some components of this group have a beneficial effect on protecting cells from the harmful effects of oxidative stress and oxygen free radicals. Others affect cysteine synthesis and homocysteine metabolism, and regulate hormonal activity.
Some of the B vitamins are extremely important for the function and condition of the circulatory system. Substances such as B6 and B12 promote the correct synthesis of erythrocytes (red blood cells), riboflavin contributes to the maintenance of red blood cells and proper iron metabolism, and thiamine has been found to be an essential nutrient in the context of heart function. The antioxidant properties of B vitamins may be beneficial in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
It must be remembered that some B vitamins have a valuable effect on beauty. Biotin, niacin and riboflavin are very common ingredients in nutritional and cosmetic supplements, which are recommended for maintaining healthy skin, hair, nails and mucous membranes.
Folic acid, which is very important for women, should not be overlooked. Folic acid is necessary for amino acid synthesis and blood production. It also helps in the growth of the mother's tissues during pregnancy. In turn, a deficiency of folic acid poses a very high risk to the correct development of the fetus, leading to neural tube defects, among other things.
Who Should Take Vitamin B Supplements?
The wide range of effects of B vitamins means that nearly everyone should take them. They are essential in the daily diet of adolescents, adults, the elderly, recreational athletes, professional athletes, and pregnant women. In addition, people with a number of medical conditions (such as heart, skin, or neurological conditions) should ensure that they consume the right amount of it, whether as part of their diet or in the form of dietary supplement supplements.