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The Permanente Journal Jun 2022B vitamins are a group of 8 water-soluble vitamins. The body does not store them, so they need to be replaced daily. B vitamins are found in animal proteins, dairy... (Review)
Review
B vitamins are a group of 8 water-soluble vitamins. The body does not store them, so they need to be replaced daily. B vitamins are found in animal proteins, dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and beans. Overall, their function can generally be divided into catabolic metabolism, leading to energy production, and anabolic metabolism, resulting in bioactive molecules. They are critical cofactors for axonal transport, synthesis of neurotransmitters, and many cellular metabolic pathways. B vitamins are cofactors for many essential enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of RNA and DNA. B vitamin deficiencies have been considered as etiological factors in the development of various neurologic disorders and a broad spectrum of pathological states. Reductions in food intake and absorption efficiency in some populations, including the geriatric population, may warrant attention to their dietary B vitamin levels. Most B vitamins are generally safe even at intake levels reached with fortified food or supplements.
Topics: Aged; Animals; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Vitamin B Complex
PubMed: 35933667
DOI: 10.7812/TPP/21.204 -
Nutrients Nov 2020B group vitamins represent essential micronutrients for myriad metabolic and regulatory processes required for human health, serving as cofactors used by hundreds of... (Review)
Review
B group vitamins represent essential micronutrients for myriad metabolic and regulatory processes required for human health, serving as cofactors used by hundreds of enzymes that carry out essential functions such as energy metabolism, DNA and protein synthesis and other critical functions. B vitamins and their corresponding vitamers are universally essential for all cellular life forms, from bacteria to humans. Humans are unable to synthesize most B vitamins and are therefore dependent on their diet for these essential micronutrients. More recently, another source of B vitamins has been identified which is derived from portions of the 10 bacterial cells inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract. Here we review the expanding literature examining the relationship between B vitamins and the immune system and diverse cancers. Evidence of B vitamin's role in immune cell regulation has accumulated in recent years and may help to clarify the disparate findings of numerous studies attempting to link B vitamins to cancer development. Much work remains to be carried out to fully clarify these relationships as the complexity of B vitamins' essential functions complicates an unequivocal assessment of their beneficial or detrimental effects in inflammation and cancers.
Topics: Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Immune System; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Neoplasms; Vitamin B Complex
PubMed: 33158037
DOI: 10.3390/nu12113380 -
BioMed Research International 2021Damage and regeneration naturally occur in the peripheral nervous system. The neurotropic B vitamins thiamine (B1), pyridoxine (B6), and cobalamin (B12) are key players,... (Review)
Review
Damage and regeneration naturally occur in the peripheral nervous system. The neurotropic B vitamins thiamine (B1), pyridoxine (B6), and cobalamin (B12) are key players, which maintain the neuronal viability in different ways. Firstly, they constantly protect nerves against damaging environmental influences. While vitamin B1 acts as a site-directed antioxidant, vitamin B6 balances nerve metabolism, and vitamin B12 maintains myelin sheaths. However, nerve injury occurs at times, because of an imbalance between protective factors and accumulating stress and noxae. This will result in the so-called Wallerian degeneration process. The presence of vitamins B1, B6, and B12 paves the way out to the following important regeneration by supporting the development of new cell structures. Furthermore, vitamin B1 facilitates the usage of carbohydrates for energy production, whereas vitamin B12 promotes nerve cell survival and remyelination. Absence of these vitamins will favor permanent nerve degeneration and pain, eventually leading to peripheral neuropathy.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Nerve Growth Factors; Nerve Regeneration; Vitamin B Complex
PubMed: 34337067
DOI: 10.1155/2021/9968228 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2020Riboflavin (RF) is a water-soluble member of the B-vitamin family. Sufficient dietary and supplemental RF intake appears to have a protective effect on various medical... (Review)
Review
Riboflavin (RF) is a water-soluble member of the B-vitamin family. Sufficient dietary and supplemental RF intake appears to have a protective effect on various medical conditions such as sepsis, ischemia etc., while it also contributes to the reduction in the risk of some forms of cancer in humans. These biological effects of RF have been widely studied for their anti-oxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and anti-cancer properties. Moreover, the combination of RF and other compounds or drugs can have a wide variety of effects and protective properties, and diminish the toxic effect of drugs in several treatments. Research has been done in order to review the latest findings about the link between RF and different clinical aberrations. Since further studies have been published in this field, it is appropriate to consider a re-evaluation of the importance of RF in terms of its beneficial properties.
Topics: Animals; Dietary Supplements; Drug Interactions; Functional Food; Humans; Riboflavin; Vitamin B Complex
PubMed: 32023913
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030950 -
Dermatology Online Journal Aug 2020Multiple prescription medications may cause or aggravate acne. A number of dietary supplements have also been linked to acne, including those containing vitamins B6/B12,... (Review)
Review
Multiple prescription medications may cause or aggravate acne. A number of dietary supplements have also been linked to acne, including those containing vitamins B6/B12, iodine, and whey, as well as "muscle building supplements" that may be contaminated with anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). Acne linked to dietary supplements generally resolves following supplement discontinuation. Lesions associated with high-dose vitamin B6 and B12 supplements have been described as monomorphic and although pathogenesis is unknown, a number of hypotheses have been proposed. Iodine-related acne may be related to the use of kelp supplements and has been reported as monomorphic, inflammatory pustules on the face and upper trunk. Whey protein supplements, derived from milk and used for bodybuilding, are associated with papulonodular acne involving the trunk and sometimes the face. Finally, AAS-induced acne has been described as acne fulminans, acne conglobata, and acne papulopustulosa. With studies indicating that about half of US adults report using dietary supplements, it is important that dermatologists directly ask acne patients about their supplement use and educate them on the potential risks of even seemingly innocuous dietary supplements.
Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Iodine; Male; Testosterone Congeners; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 6; Vitamin B Complex; Whey Proteins
PubMed: 32941710
DOI: No ID Found -
BMC Medicine Apr 2021Whether a modestly elevated homocysteine level is causally associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease remains unestablished. We conducted a Mendelian...
BACKGROUND
Whether a modestly elevated homocysteine level is causally associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease remains unestablished. We conducted a Mendelian randomization study to assess the associations of circulating total homocysteine (tHcy) and B vitamin levels with cardiovascular diseases in the general population.
METHODS
Independent single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with tHcy (n = 14), folate (n = 2), vitamin B6 (n = 1), and vitamin B12 (n = 14) at the genome-wide significance level were selected as instrumental variables. Summary-level data for 12 cardiovascular endpoints were obtained from genetic consortia, the UK Biobank study, and the FinnGen consortium.
RESULTS
Higher genetically predicted circulating tHcy levels were associated with an increased risk of stroke. For each one standard deviation (SD) increase in genetically predicted tHcy levels, the odds ratio (OR) was 1.11 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03, 1.21; p = 0.008) for any stroke, 1.26 (95% CI, 1.05, 1.51; p = 0.013) for subarachnoid hemorrhage, and 1.11 (95% CI, 1.03, 1.21; p = 0.011) for ischemic stroke. Higher genetically predicted folate levels were associated with decreased risk of coronary artery disease (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.78, 1.00, p = 0.049) and any stroke (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.76, 0.97, p = 0.012). Genetically predicted increased vitamin B6 levels were associated with a reduced risk of ischemic stroke (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81, 0.97, p = 0.009). None of these associations persisted after multiple testing correction. There was no association between genetically predicted vitamin B12 and cardiovascular disease.
CONCLUSIONS
This study reveals suggestive evidence that B vitamin therapy and lowering of tHcy may reduce the risk of stroke, particularly subarachnoid hemorrhage and ischemic stroke.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Risk Factors; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B Complex
PubMed: 33888102
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-021-01977-8 -
Nutrients Sep 2022The importance of B complex vitamins starts early in the human life cycle and continues across its different stages. At the same time, numerous reports have emphasized... (Review)
Review
The importance of B complex vitamins starts early in the human life cycle and continues across its different stages. At the same time, numerous reports have emphasized the critical role of adequate B complex intake. Most studies examined such issues concerning a specific vitamin B or life stage, with the majority reporting the effect of either excess or deficiency. Deep insight into the orchestration of the eight different B vitamins requirements is reviewed across the human life cycle, beginning from fertility and pregnancy and reaching adulthood and senility, emphasizing interactions among them and underlying action mechanisms. The effect of sex is also reviewed for each vitamin at each life stage to highlight the different daily requirements and/or outcomes. Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, and folic acid are crucial for maternal and fetal health. During infancy and childhood, B vitamins are integrated with physical and psychological development that have a pivotal impact on one's overall health in adolescence and adulthood. A higher intake of B vitamins in the elderly is also associated with preventing some aging problems, especially those related to inflammation. All supplementation should be carefully monitored to avoid toxicity and hypervitaminosis. More research should be invested in studying each vitamin individually concerning nutritional disparities in each life stage, with extensive attention paid to cultural differences and lifestyles.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Female; Folic Acid; Humans; Male; Niacin; Pantothenic Acid; Pregnancy; Pyridoxine; Riboflavin; Sex Characteristics; Thiamine; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B Complex
PubMed: 36235591
DOI: 10.3390/nu14193940 -
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research Sep 2020The gut microbiota produce hundreds of bioactive compounds, including B-vitamins, which play significant physiological roles in hosts by supporting the fitness of... (Review)
Review
The gut microbiota produce hundreds of bioactive compounds, including B-vitamins, which play significant physiological roles in hosts by supporting the fitness of symbiotic species and suppressing the growth of competitive species. B-vitamins are also essential to the host and certain gut bacterium. Although dietary B-vitamins are mainly absorbed from the small intestine, excess B-vitamins unable to be absorbed in the small intestine are supplied to the distal gut. In addition, B-vitamins are supplied from biosynthesis by distal gut microbiota. B-vitamins in the distal colon may perform many important functions in the body. They act as 1) nutrients for a host and their microbiota, 2) regulators of immune cell activity, 3) mediators of drug efficacy, 4) supporters of survival, or the fitness of certain bacterium, 5) suppressors of colonization by pathogenic bacteria, and 6) modulators of colitis. Insights into basic biophysical principles, including the bioavailability of B-vitamins and their derivatives in the distal gut are still not fully elucidated. Here, the function of single B-vitamin in the distal gut including their roles in relation to bacteria are briefly reviewed. The prospect of extending analytical methods to better understand the role of B-vitamins in the gut is also explored.
Topics: Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gastrointestinal Tract; Humans; Vitamin B Complex
PubMed: 32761878
DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202000426 -
European Journal of Neurology Jun 2021Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is common in patients with diseases that are in turn associated with deficiency of the B-vitamins, and vitamin treatment has shown mixed... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is common in patients with diseases that are in turn associated with deficiency of the B-vitamins, and vitamin treatment has shown mixed results.
METHODS
This systematic review and meta-analysis studied the association between PN/pain and B-vitamin biomarkers and investigated whether vitamin treatment can ameliorate the symptoms. PubMed and Web of Science were searched according to the study protocol.
RESULTS
A total of 46 observational and seven interventional studies were identified and included in the data synthesis. The presence of PN was associated with lowered B12 levels (pooled estimate [95% CIs] = 1.51 [1.23-1.84], n = 34, Cochran Q Test I = 43.3%, p = 0.003) and elevated methylmalonic acid (2.53 [1.39-4.60], n = 9, I = 63.8%, p = 0.005) and homocysteine (3.48 [2.01-6.04], n = 15, I = 70.6%, p < 0.001). B12 treatment (vs. the comparators) showed a non-significant association with symptom improvement (1.36 (0.66-2.79), n = 4, I = 28.9%). Treatment with B1 was associated with a significant improvement in symptoms (5.34 [1.87-15.19], n = 3, I = 64.6%, p = 0.059). Analysis of seven trials combined showed a non-significant higher odds ratio for improvement under treatment with the B-vitamins (2.58 [0.98-6.79], I = 80.0%, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
PN is associated with lowered plasma vitamin B12 and elevated methylmalonic acid and homocysteine. Overall, interventional studies have suggested that B-vitamins could improve symptoms of PN. Available trials have limitations and generally did not investigate vitamin status prior to treatment. Well-designed studies, especially in non-diabetes PN, are needed. This meta-analysis is registered at PROSPERO (ID: CRD42020144917).
Topics: Dietary Supplements; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B Complex
PubMed: 33619867
DOI: 10.1111/ene.14786 -
Nutritional Neuroscience Mar 2023Pain is a complex sensory and emotional experience with nociceptive, nociplastic, and neuropathic components. An involvement of neurotropic B vitamins (B1 - thiamine, B6... (Review)
Review
Pain is a complex sensory and emotional experience with nociceptive, nociplastic, and neuropathic components. An involvement of neurotropic B vitamins (B1 - thiamine, B6 - pyridoxine, and B12 - cyanocobalamin) as modulators of inflammation and pain has been long discussed. New evidence suggests their therapeutic potential in different pain conditions. In this review, we discuss the main role of neurotropic B vitamins on different nociceptive pathways in the nervous system and to describe their analgesic action mechanisms. The performed literature review showed that, through different mechanisms, these vitamins regulate several inflammatory and neural mediators in nociceptive and neuropathic pain. Some of these processes include aiming the activation of the descending pain modulatory system and in specific intracellular pathways, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and nerve regenerative effects. Moreover, recent data shows the antinociceptive, antiallodynic, and anti-hyperalgesic effects of the combination of these vitamins, as well as their synergistic effects with known analgesics. Understanding how vitamins B1, B6, and B12 affect several nociceptive mechanisms can therefore be of significance in the treatment of various pain conditions.
Topics: Humans; Pyridoxine; Vitamin B 12; Thiamine; Vitamin B Complex; Analgesics; Neuralgia
PubMed: 35156556
DOI: 10.1080/1028415X.2022.2034242