Why Are B Vitamins Water Soluble and why do We Need Them?

Vitamins are classified in two main categories: water soluble vitamins and fat soluble vitamins. Fat soluble vitamins are absorbed with the aid of fats through the intestinal tract while water soluble vitamins have the main property of easily dissolving in water. We have 13 vitamins in humans. 4 of them are fat soluble (A, D,E and K) and 9 water soluble (8 B vitamins and vitamin C).

B complex vitamins are found in various foods including rice, nuts, meats, fruits, fish, eggs, whole grain cereals, liver, brewer’s yeast and the list can continue. Each of them is important for our bodies to some extent. B1 aids in the transformation of carbohydrates in sugar glucose. Thiamine (B1) is combined with pyruvic acid and a coenzyme is obtained. This substance, when combined with others will form an enzyme. Enzymes are highly important for the human body because they aid in speeding up chemical reactions. B1 aids in the functioning of our nervous system. Lack of this water soluble vitamin can lead to Beri Beri, Wernickle’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis. B2 (also known as Riboflavin) is also important as it aids in the breakdown of fats, protein and carbohydrates, acting like a coenzyme, just like B1. On the other hand, Riboflavin aids in maintaining our skin and mucous membranes together with the cornea of the eye for nerve sheaths. In most cases B2 deficiency leads to skin disorders and inflammations of various soft tissue lining around our noses and mouths, possible anemia, angular cheilosis and it can turn our eyes light sensitive.

B3 (also known as Niacin, nicotinic acid and nicotinamide) is necessary in our metabolism of food and the maintenance of nerves, skin and the gastrointestinal tract. B3 is also crucial in oxidation reduction reactions and deficiency can lead to pellagra. Symptoms include dementia, dermatitis and diarrhea, usually resulting in death. In most cases a high dose of niacin can reverse this process. B6 (known also as pyridoxine, pyridoxal phosphate and pyridoxamine) aids in the breakdown of fats, proteins and carbohydrates just like other B water soluble vitamins. B6 helps in the production of red blood cells and reactions linked with the metabolism of amino acids. B6 deficiency is very rare except for alcoholics and can lead to skin disorders, confusion, insomnia, poor coordination and neuropathy. B12 processes carbohydrates, fats and proteins as well but it also helps in the creation of blood cells and the maintenance of nerve sheaths. It also acts like a coenzyme when repairing and synthesizing DNA.

B9 (also known as folacin, pteroylglutamic acid or folic acid) interacts with B12 in order to aid in DNA synthesis. It is also important for the formation of hemoglobin and the breakdown of proteins. All biochemical reactions that use one carbon transfer need B9 and this water soluble vitamin is produced in the intestines and stomach by bacteria. Deficiency of folic acid leads to irritation of the mouth, anemia and poor growth. Pantothenic acid is utilized to breakdown carbohydrates some amino acids and lips while also being an important factor in the synthesis of some coenzymes. Biotin works as a coenzyme in carboxylation reactions. Both of these water soluble vitamins are produced by bacteria in our intestine. Deficiency of pantothenic acid is not known to cause any problems but biotin deficiency can lead to scaly dermatitis.