B-complex vitamin deficiency and supplementation
Keywords:
vitamin B, B-complex vitamins, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, biotin, inositol, folic acid, folate, cobalamin, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, beriberi, pellagra, pernicious anaemia, megaloblastic anaemia, intrinsic factor, haema
Abstract
Vitamins are either fat- or water-soluble micronutrients that are derived from a healthy, well-balanced diet. The B-complex vitamins are well-known examples of water-soluble nutrients that are readily absorbed from a healthy gut, and easily eliminated via renal excretion. They are required for their vital physiological functions and are significant contributors to the maintenance of optimal health. Multiple B-vitamin deficiencies are quite common. Therefore, a balanced diet, including a full spectrum of B vitamins, is usually needed when any of them are found to be deficient. Conversely, their therapeutic value is limited to supplementation during states of deficiency since they have no additional benefits in the presence of an adequate dietary intake. In general, their active supplementation should only be used to correct deficiencies. This article provides an overview of B-complex vitamin deficiencies and their supplementation.
Issue
Section
Reviews
By submitting manuscripts to SAPJ, authors of original articles are assigning copyright to Medpharm Publications (Pty) Ltd. Authors may use their own work after publication without written permission, provided they acknowledge the original source. Individuals and academic institutions may freely copy and distribute articles published in SAPJ for educational and research purposes without obtaining permission.