Vitamin Bs are a loosely related group of vitamins with similar functions. Chemically, they have nothing in common except being water-soluble. They all participate in the body’s enzyme functions as coenzymes, essential precursors for enzymes. B vitamins are especially involved in energy production because, without B vitamins, the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins suffers, particularly in energy metabolism. B vitamins are also involved in the functioning of the nervous system.
B vitamin deficiency is practically unknown without severe dietary errors or a few rare underlying conditions. B vitamins are obtained from almost all foods, especially meat and organs. Additionally, the bacterial flora in the colon produces some B vitamins, but their amount and significance are relatively unknown.
In humans, B vitamin deficiency is practically encountered in two situations. Thiamine deficiency is found in alcoholism, and B12 vitamin deficiency in poorly managed vegan diets. In dogs, both are, of course, practically unknown problems – as long as one does not force a carnivore into a vegan lifestyle.
Theoretically, feeding raw eggs could cause a biotin deficiency due to avidin, and using certain raw fish as dog food could cause a thiamine deficiency due to thiaminase. In practice, however, the risk is zero.
Since B vitamin deficiency is genuinely unknown, it is unnecessary to provide B vitamin supplements in basic nutrition. However, it is possible that a slight deficiency compared to genuine need might occasionally justify the use of supplements. Continuous stomach looseness or diarrhea could cause a deficiency. Likewise, stress and heavy exertion. B-group vitamins have long been used in medicine as supportive therapy for nervous system problems.
It is practically impossible to determine when additional dosing of B vitamins would be justifiably beneficial, so in that regard, one must rely on personal judgment. The good news is that overdosing on B vitamins is safe. It is impossible to overdose on B vitamins from food with any risk consideration.
Vitamin B complex
| the most important roles | |
|---|---|
| vitamin B1 (thiamine) | metabolism of carbonhydrates |
| vitamin B2 (riboflavin) | muscles, red cells, metabolism of carbonhydrates, fats and proteins |
| vitamin B3 (niacin, nicotine acid) | metabolism of carbonhydrates, central nervous system, blood circulation, digestion, synthesis of sex and thyroid hormones, insulin and cortisone |
| vitamin B5 (pantotenic acid) | metabolism of fats and carbonhydrates, immunity, adrenal gland, cell formation, healing of wounds, deletion of toxic effects of medicins |
| vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) | nerves, brains, immunity, metabolic of proteins, digestion of minerals, red cells, and creation of GLA |
| biotin (vitamin B7) | not a vitamin for dogs. Synthetis of fat acids, breakdown of proteins, and creation of ATP |
| folates (folic acid, vitamin B9) | mostly not a vitamin for dogs. Creation of red cells, synthesis of DNA, metabolism of proteins, lactation, appetit, tolerance of pain, immunity |
| vitamin B12 (cobalamin, cyanocobalamin) | red cells, growth, nerves, digestion, pregnancy |
Health Claims of Supplements
The supplement market associates several claims with B vitamins. Some of these are justified, while others relate to exaggerated descriptions of their normal physiological significance and the claim that functions would be enhanced by supplementation.
Claims used, which do tell about the function of B vitamins in the body, include:
- Niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, B12, and B6 promote normal energy metabolism.
- Folate and B12 are involved in cell division processes.
- Folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and B12 help reduce fatigue and exhaustion.
- Folate promotes tissue growth during pregnancy and supports normal amino acid synthesis and blood formation.
- Folate and B12 promote normal homocysteine metabolism.
- Folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, thiamine, B12, and B6 promote normal psychological functions.
- Folate, B12, and B6 promote the normal functioning of the immune system.
- Niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, B12, and B6 promote normal nervous system function.
- Niacin and riboflavin promote the maintenance of normal mucous membranes and skin.
- Pantothenic acid promotes the normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D, and some neurotransmitters.
- Riboflavin, B12, and B6 promote normal red blood cell formation.
- Riboflavin promotes normal iron metabolism, maintenance of normal vision, and protection of cells from oxidative stress.
- Thiamine promotes normal heart function.
- Vitamin B6 promotes normal cysteine synthesis, normal protein and glycogen metabolism, and regulation of hormonal activity.
As can be seen, the claims are based on the normal functions of vitamins in the body. This is different from the idea that a supplement would cause or enhance these functions. Since B vitamins are usually obtained in sufficient amounts, supplements are merely excreted when given additionally.
