What are the vitamins which make up the B complex? Which problems does the lack of these vitamins cause?
Vitamins of the B complex are: thiamin, or vitamin B1; riboflavin, or vitamin B2, and niacin (B3), essential for the constitution of the hydrogen acceptors FAD, NAD and NADP of the energetic metabolism; pyridoxine, or B6; and cyanocobalamin, or vitamin B12. Deficiency of vitamin B1 causes beriberi, loss of appetite and fatigue. The lack of vitamin B2 causes mucosal injuries in the mouth, tongue and lips. Deficiency of niacin causes nervousness, digestive disturbances, loss of energy and pellagra. Lack of vitamin B6 causes skin lesions, irritation and convulsions. Vitamin B12 acts together with folic acid and its deficiency causes cell division disruptions leading to pernicious anemia (a type of megaloblastic and nutrient deficiency anemia). The absorption of vitamin B12 depends on another substance called the intrinsic factor secreted by the gastric mucosa.
