Nutrients play a crucial role in the human body right from growth and development to day-to-day functions. In nutrients, one such essential and a micronutrient is a Vitamin. There are 13 types of vitamins in humans of which, 9 are water-soluble and 4 are fat-soluble. The fat-soluble vitamins are A, D, E & K. Group of B and C vitamins are water-soluble.

Vitamin B is classified into 8 types, namely

• B1-Thiamine: Thiamine is important for the breakdown of carbohydrates. It also has a role in the synthesis of hormones, fatty acids, and neurotransmitters. It promotes appetite, prevents tingling in the limbs, and enhances nervous system functions.
• B2-Riboflavin: Riboflavin is important for the production of energy, breakdown of lipids, medicines, and hormones, and for the conversion of other vitamins into a usable form. Its deficiency may lead to oral ulceration, hair-fall, anaemia, cataracts, birth defect, itchy eyes, and skin issues.
• B3-Niacin: Niacin is required for the breakdown of macro-nutrients, inter and extra-cellular functions, and DNA expression. When deficient, it can present as depression, fatigue, oral redness of the tongue, skin-hypersensitivity, headache and gastro-intestinal tract disturbances, loss of appetite, and malnourishment.
• B5-Pantothenic acid: Pantothenic acid help carry out the transfer of the co-enzyme, metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Its deficiency can cause anorexia, poor sleep, headache, irritability, and numbness with tingling in the limbs.
• B6-Pyridoxine:Pyridoxine has a significant role in protein and carbohydrate metabolism, carrying out brain functions, red blood cells formation, and promoting the function of the steroids hormones and immune system. If deficient, it can lead to dry lips, depression, anaemia, loss of appetite, swollen tongue, and confusion.
• B7-Biotin: Biotin is required for the metabolism of macro-nutrients, inter-cellular message transmission, and DNA regulation. Its low levels can cause brittle nails, fatigue, hair fall, scaly rashes near eyes, ears, and mouth, and depression.
• B9-folate: Folate is necessary to prevent neural tube defects in the fetus. It is necessary for the multiplication of DNA, synthesis of RBCs, metabolism of proteins and other vitamins, and cellular division. The symptoms like palpitation, oral ulcerations, fatigue, irritability, and poor health of hair and skin are reflected upon its deficiency.
• B12-Cyanocobalamin: Cyanocobalamin helps in the synthesis of the myelin sheath, DNA, and RBCs., metabolism of proteins and fatty acids, and aid the functioning of B9. Its deficiency can lead to lethargy, anaemia, poor mental focus, depression, anorexia constipation, and tingling in the limbs.

Thus, knowing the importance of the function of these versatile B-Complex vitamins their adequate levels on regular basis is deemed necessary.