Vitamin B Research Paper

Vitamin B1 Thiamine

Although Vitamin B, was one of the first vitamins ever recognised, known for thousands of years. It was not until the late nineteenth and early twentieth century that it was recognised as having a dietary role.

In the Far East consumption of “polished” or refined rice often led to Vitamin B1deficiency. In the Second World War many European prisoners of war, held in the Far East developed B1 deficiency termed Beri Beri (extreme weakness), was a term used to describe Vitamin B1 deficiency.

The function of Vitamin B1

Vitamin B, is mainly found in skeletal muscle, heart muscle, brain, kidney and liver. It plays a crucial part in energy production and carbohydrate metabolism. Deficiency results in rapid deterioration

Nicotinic Acid has specific effects on cholesterol metabolism and it actually thought to lower cholesterol levels. Although Vitamin B3 was discovered in 1911, its full role as a vitamin was not known until 1937.

Deficiency of Vitamin B3 produces pellagra, a condition characterised by dermatitis, diarrhoea and dementia. Other symptoms of Vitamin B3 deficiency include lack of energy, insomnia, headaches or migraine, poor memory, anxiety or tension, depression, irritability, bleeding or tender gums, acne, eczema and dermatitis.

Like many other B vitamins B3 was first isolated from yeast. B3 deficiency is more likely to develop in those with a low protein intake particularly if they have a high alcohol consumption.

Vitamin B3 plays an important role in the transport of hydrogen and in this respect it is similar to Vitamin B2, riboflavin. The majority of enzymes helped by Vitamin B3 are involved in glucose and carbohydrate metabolism and B3 help balance blood sugar. Vitamin B3 is also essential for brain function.

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