565
B vitamins. Riboflavin can be found in a variety of foods including milk. Due to
photo–instability of riboflavin, milk must be stored in plastic containers or cardboard to help block the light from destroying the riboflavin in milk (Gibney et al.
2009; Mahan and Raymond 2016; Titchenal et al. 2018).
Vitamin B 3 (Niacin) Niacin also referred to as nicotinic acid or nicotinamide
belongs to the group of pyridine carboxylic acid. It is a very important nutrient as
every part of our body requires it for proper functioning. It is an essential component of the coenzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), which is involved in the
catabolism and anabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. NADH is the predominant electron carrier and transfers electrons to the electron transport chain to
make adenosine triphosphate (ATP). NADPH is required for the anabolic pathways
of fatty–acid and in cholesterol synthesis. In contrast to other vitamins, niacin can
be synthesized by humans from the amino acid tryptophan in an anabolic process
requiring enzymes dependent on riboflavin, vitamin B 6 , and iron. Niacin deficiency
is commonly known as pellagra and the symptoms include skin rashes, rough skin,
fatigue, decreased appetite, indigestion leading to diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia,
and sometimes death. As a supplement, niacin may help lower cholesterol, ease
arthritis, boost brain functioning, and treat respiratory and vascular disorders.
Niacin is found in a variety of different foods such as yeast, meat, poultry, red fish,
brown rice, peanuts, and peas (Gibney et al. 2009; Mahan and Raymond 2016;
Titchenal et al. 2018).
Vitamin B 5 (Pantothenic Acid) Pantothenic acid or pentothenate is vital for
healthy life. It is an essential nutrient that forms coenzyme A, which is the main
carrier of carbon molecules in a cell. Acetyl–CoA is the carbon carrier of glucose,
fatty acids, and amino acids into the citric acid cycle and is involved in the synthesis
of lipids, cholesterol, and acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter). Signs and symptoms
of its deficiency include fatigue, irritability, numbness, muscle pain, and cramps.
Vitamin B 5 is generally used in combination with other B vitamins in the form of
vitamin B complex formulation. Pantothenic acid is used as an ingredient for skin
and hair care products; however, there is no good scientific evidence to suggest that
pantothenic acid improves human skin or hair. Pantothenic Acid is widely distributed in all types of food, that is why a deficiency of this nutrient is very rare (Gibney
et al. 2009; Mahan and Raymond 2016; Titchenal et al. 2018). Some important
Vitamin B 5 sources are: mushrooms, legumes, lentils, avocadoes, milk, eggs, cabbage, potato, whole grain cereals, and yeast.
Vitamin B 6 (Pyridoxine) Vitamin B 6 contains 3 pyridine derivatives hence the
name pyridoxine (Aslam et al. 2017; Shabbir et al. 2013). It acts as co–factor for
certain enzymes that helps in carrying out their respective functions (Hellmann and
Mooney 2010). Vitamin B 6 coenzyme is essential for the conversion of amino acid
methionine into cysteine (Titchenal et al. 2018) and helps to control blood homocysteine level (Aslam et al. 2017; Shabbir et al. 2013). It guarantees a healthier skin,
prevents hair loss, detoxify liver, cures anemia, and improves cognitive function.
25 Bioavailability of Nutrients and Safety Measurements
B vitamins. Riboflavin can be found in a variety of foods including milk. Due to
photo–instability of riboflavin, milk must be stored in plastic containers or cardboard to help block the light from destroying the riboflavin in milk (Gibney et al.
2009; Mahan and Raymond 2016; Titchenal et al. 2018).
Vitamin B 3 (Niacin) Niacin also referred to as nicotinic acid or nicotinamide
belongs to the group of pyridine carboxylic acid. It is a very important nutrient as
every part of our body requires it for proper functioning. It is an essential component of the coenzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), which is involved in the
catabolism and anabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. NADH is the predominant electron carrier and transfers electrons to the electron transport chain to
make adenosine triphosphate (ATP). NADPH is required for the anabolic pathways
of fatty–acid and in cholesterol synthesis. In contrast to other vitamins, niacin can
be synthesized by humans from the amino acid tryptophan in an anabolic process
requiring enzymes dependent on riboflavin, vitamin B 6 , and iron. Niacin deficiency
is commonly known as pellagra and the symptoms include skin rashes, rough skin,
fatigue, decreased appetite, indigestion leading to diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia,
and sometimes death. As a supplement, niacin may help lower cholesterol, ease
arthritis, boost brain functioning, and treat respiratory and vascular disorders.
Niacin is found in a variety of different foods such as yeast, meat, poultry, red fish,
brown rice, peanuts, and peas (Gibney et al. 2009; Mahan and Raymond 2016;
Titchenal et al. 2018).
Vitamin B 5 (Pantothenic Acid) Pantothenic acid or pentothenate is vital for
healthy life. It is an essential nutrient that forms coenzyme A, which is the main
carrier of carbon molecules in a cell. Acetyl–CoA is the carbon carrier of glucose,
fatty acids, and amino acids into the citric acid cycle and is involved in the synthesis
of lipids, cholesterol, and acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter). Signs and symptoms
of its deficiency include fatigue, irritability, numbness, muscle pain, and cramps.
Vitamin B 5 is generally used in combination with other B vitamins in the form of
vitamin B complex formulation. Pantothenic acid is used as an ingredient for skin
and hair care products; however, there is no good scientific evidence to suggest that
pantothenic acid improves human skin or hair. Pantothenic Acid is widely distributed in all types of food, that is why a deficiency of this nutrient is very rare (Gibney
et al. 2009; Mahan and Raymond 2016; Titchenal et al. 2018). Some important
Vitamin B 5 sources are: mushrooms, legumes, lentils, avocadoes, milk, eggs, cabbage, potato, whole grain cereals, and yeast.
Vitamin B 6 (Pyridoxine) Vitamin B 6 contains 3 pyridine derivatives hence the
name pyridoxine (Aslam et al. 2017; Shabbir et al. 2013). It acts as co–factor for
certain enzymes that helps in carrying out their respective functions (Hellmann and
Mooney 2010). Vitamin B 6 coenzyme is essential for the conversion of amino acid
methionine into cysteine (Titchenal et al. 2018) and helps to control blood homocysteine level (Aslam et al. 2017; Shabbir et al. 2013). It guarantees a healthier skin,
prevents hair loss, detoxify liver, cures anemia, and improves cognitive function.
25 Bioavailability of Nutrients and Safety Measurements