The B Vitamins - A Clinically Oriented Fact Sheet

Short Description
The B-complex vitamins are a group of substances which are considered “essential” … that of “the other” B-vitamins, and is present in most commercial …

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The B Vitamins - A Clinically Oriented Fact Sheet
The B-complex vitamins are a group of substances which are considered “essential”
because they must be obtained from the diet. They serve as cofactors for numerous
enzymatic pathways in the body.
Vitamin B1 (thiamin)
Deficiency: In the 3rd world, results in beriberi (neuromuscular, GI, cardiovascular
collapse). In the US, deficiencies are seen in severely malnourished infants, the elderly,
adults who diet chronically, and those who suffer alcoholism.
Pharmacology: to be metabolically active, thiamin combines with two molecules of
phosphoric acid to form the co-enzyme thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP). Alcohol
interferes with the absorption of thiamin, yet it is depleted by the metabolism of alcohol.
Severe deficiency may require parenteral replacement.
Food Sources: All plant and animal foods contain vitamin B1.
Widely Accepted Uses
?Treatment of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome in malnourished alcoholics.
?Supplementation in GI malabsorption conditions such as celiac sprue.
CAM Clinical Use
?Adjunctive therapy in the treatment of depression - evidence is scant.
Adverse Effects/Toxicity: none
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Food Sources: dairy products, meats, dark green vegetables, eggs, avocados, oysters,
mushrooms, fish (e.g., salmon and tuna), and enriched…