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How much vitamin B are you receiving through your diet? Are you taking additional B vitamin supplements? B vitamins play many essentials roles such as providing our body with energy, so it is important that we receive an adequate amount through diet and supplementation.

There are a group of eight B vitamins, all of which are essential for providing the body with energy by facilitating the breakdown of carbohydrates into glucose. B vitamins act as co-enzymes, which unite with a protein to create an active enzyme. This enzyme then acts as a catalyst that transfers energy from the food we eat to our bodies.

Along with providing our bodies with energy, B vitamins assist in the breakdown of fats and proteins, and help maintain healthy skin, nails and hair. Additionally, B vitamins are important for the proper formation of cells in our body, so it is particularly important for pregnant women to take supplements with an adequate amount of vitamin B.

A deficiency in the B vitamins can effect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system, depress your mood, and can cause reddening of the lips and inflammation of the skin.