What is Vitamin B?

Wikipedia is defining the way the new generation absorbs information. Never has there been so much available to us without so little effort needed to find it. I remember being taught how to use a library, and boy was it totally confusing. So without further ado, here's Wiki's info on what exactly Vitamin B is.

The B vitamins are eight water-soluble vitamins that play important roles in cell metabolism. Historically, the B vitamins were once thought to be a single vitamin, referred to as Vitamin B (much like how people refer to Vitamin C or Vitamin D). Later research showed that they are chemically distinct vitamins that often coexist in the same foods. Supplements containing all eight B vitamins are generally referred to as a vitamin B complex. Individual B vitamin supplements are referred to by the specific name of each vitamin (e.g. B1, B2, B3). [1]

My focus in this blog is to learn about the specific roles of Vitamins B6 (Pyridoxine) and B12 (Cobalamin) in bone and muscle development. Here are brief overviews of each.

Pyridoxine assists in the balancing of sodium and potassium as well as promoting red blood cell production. It is linked to cardiovascular health by decreasing the formation of homocysteine. It has been suggested that Pyridoxine might help children with learning difficulties, and may also prevent dandruff, eczema, and psoriasis.In addition, pyridoxine can help balance hormonal changes in women and aid in immune system. Lack of pyridoxine may cause anemia, nerve damage, seizures, skin problems, and sores in the mouth [2].

B12 (Cobalamin) cannot be made by plants or animals[2], as the only type of organisms that have the enzymes required for the synthesis of B12 are bacteria and archaea. The total synthesis of B12 was reported by Robert Burns Woodward[3][4] and Albert Eschenmoser[5][6], and remains one of the classic feats of total synthesis... B12 deficiency is the cause of several forms of anemia... Vitamin B12 deficiency can potentially cause severe and irreversible damage, especially to the brain and nervous system. B12 can be supplemented in healthy subjects by oral pill; sublingual pill, liquid, or strip; or by injection. B12 is available singly or in combination with other supplements. The Dietary Reference Intake for an adult range from 2 to 3 µg. The recommended optimal daily intake (ODI) is 10 to 15 µg. [3]

Following the links on the page I found this interesting information regarding B12 deficiency and bone marrow cells:

B12- or folate-deficient haemopoietic cells display abnormalities in their morphology under both the light and electron microscope, their cell kinetics and their capacity to synthesize protein. These abnormalities are maximal in the last dividing cell class and in non-dividing cells, presumably because B12 and folate uptake is largely confined to the most immature erythroid and granulocyte precursors. (Etc.) [4]

Next time we'll delve more into how B6 and B12 affect bones specifically.

Sources:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_b
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyridoxine
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobalamin
4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez