Deficiency of Vitamin B-Complex and Its Relation with Body Disorders

*Muhammad Farhan Sarwar, Muhammad Haroon Sarwar and Muhammad Sarwar*

### **Abstract**

Vitamins B denote to some diverse kinds of vitamins which collectively, are recognized as B-complex vitamin. At hand are eight types of vitamins in vitamin B complex; thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9) also known as folic acid and cobalamin (B12). B vitamins have a direct impact on body energy levels, brain function and cell metabolism. There is a roundup of four top causes of vitamin B deficiency; a non-balanced diet, excessive alcohol consumption, various medications and gut malabsorption conditions. Deficiencies in these B vitamins can lead to a number of different symptoms like paresthesias, peripheral neuropathy, psychosis and heart attack and stroke over time if the deficiency is not reversed. Vitamins are found in highest abundance in meat, eggs and dairy or milk products such as butter, yogurt and cheese produced from milk of mammals usually buffaloes, cattle, goats, sheep and camels. Most people can get many nutrients they need, including B vitamins, by eating a varied diet of lean meats, grains, fruits and vegetables. This chapter provides an affluent of the most common types of vitamins B, including why body needs these, their deficiency symptoms and which foods contain them.

**Keywords:** B vitamins, B-complex vitamin, disorder, neuropathy, biochemical action

#### **1. Introduction**

Within little earnings nations, insufficient quantities of foodstuff (resulting situations like kid malnourishment and undersized development) and limited variety of foodstuff (resulting deficiency of vigorous micronutrients like vitamins, minerals or trace elements) remain to be urgency healthiness complications. Undernourishment entirely in its practices rises the threat of illness and premature expiry. Almost millions of persons in the biosphere do not have sufficient diet to consume. Undernourishment disturbs entirely age crowds, however it is particularly common amongst poor persons and those with insufficient entrance to fitness teaching, good sanitation and clean water. Maximum of the malnutrition-related nervous complaints are escapable [1–3].

The body requires nutrients such as protein, fats and sugars to build tissues and fuel biological processes, but even when calories are plentiful, there are some vital nutrients that when missing, would cause catastrophic illness and death. One of the first of these deficiency syndromes to be identified is scurvy, due to a deficiency of vitamin C that led to the discovery of the B vitamins, which is a group of watersoluble chemicals working with enzymes to support a wide range of functions in the body [4].

The B vitamins are a group of eight nutrients, each with unique roles in keeping the body healthy. Though these vitamins share similar names (B1, B2, B3, etc.), they are chemically distinct compounds that often coexist in the same foods. Generally, dietary supplements containing all eight are referred to as a vitamin B complex. Each B vitamin is either a cofactor (normally a coenzyme) for key metabolic processes otherwise a precursor needed to make one. They are especially important for maintaining cell health and keeping energized with a unique function in the body. There are eight kinds of vitamins in the vitamin B complex: thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9, also known as folic acid) and cobalamin (B12) [5].

All B vitamins play crucial roles as coenzymes for enzymatic reactions in different biological systems. The eight B vitamins form a group of chemically very heterogeneous essential substances, which have a wide variety of functions in the human body. Further substances once thought to be vitamins have been given numbers (B4, B8, B10, B11 and others) in B-vitamin numbering scheme, however are subsequently discovered to be either not essential for life or manufactured by the body, thus not meeting the two essential qualifiers for a vitamin [6].

Individually, these eight B vitamins play key parts in the body desired to initiate the chemical reactions that upkeep body's lots of tasks. For instance, cells usage B vitamins to create energy from fatty acids, sugar and other nutrients. Thus, deprived of B-complex vitamins, the human body may possibly not function fine of any kind. B vitamins are water-soluble or they can dissolve in water, thus excess B vitamins in body does not use are washed out through urination. The body cannot easily store B vitamins for long periods of time, thus it is especially important to regularly consume B vitamins from diet or supplements to avoid deficiency. Entirely, B vitamins aid to transform the fats, carbohydrates and proteins consumed into energy. B vitamins are likewise required for strong hair, eyes and skin; right working of the liver and nervous system; fit gastrointestinal expanse; creating red blood cells that transport oxygen all over the body; and constructing sex and stressrelated hormones in adrenal glands [7].

Each member of the B-complex has a unique structure and performs unique functions in the human body. Their supplement has been used in connection with the subsequent health conditions. Thiamine (vitamin B1), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and other B vitamins have all been shown to play a role in wound healing. Supplementing with vitamins B1, B2 and B6 has been reported to provide relief from canker sores. Preliminary reports have claimed that acne rosacea improved; treatment of B-complex vitamin deficiencies may actually reduce alcohol cravings (desires); may reduce feelings of anxiety, perceived stress and tiredness; athletic performance can suffer if these slightly increased requirement needs are not met; helpful to treat people with hives; can prevent the development of tardive dyskinesia; women may benefit from supplementing with B-complex vitamins for premenstrual syndrome symptom relief; postmenopausal women increase their bone density against osteoporosis remarkably; and may depigment skin affected by vitiligo. Human requirements for each B vitamin vary considerably from 3 mcg per day for vitamin B12 to 18 mg per day for vitamin B3 in adult males [8].

The symptoms of a vitamin B deficiency vary depending on which B vitamin a person is deficient resulting in different symptoms. Certain conditions, such as crohn's disease, celiac disease, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and alcohol use disorder can prevent the body from absorbing B vitamins effectively, thus

#### *Deficiency of Vitamin B-Complex and Its Relation with Body Disorders DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99456*

increasing the risk for deficiencies. They can range from fatigue and confusion to anemia or a compromised immune system, while skin rashes can also occur. Most people can get all nutrients they need, including B vitamins, by eating a varied diet of lean meats, grains, fruits and vegetables. Some foods are high in several B vitamins and certain foods are particularly high in specific B vitamins. So, eating of a balanced diet is the key to get all nutrients the body needs. Older adults, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions are more likely to have vitamin B deficiencies [9]. To treat a B vitamin deficiency, physician will likely recommend that a person should take supplements or increase intake of certain foods that contain the target vitamin.
