BLUEBONNET - B Vitamins The scientists who first discovered vitamin B believed that it was a single compound; however, with the advances in technology, it was soon discovered that it was a family of eight water-soluble compounds. Today, with the exception of B6 and B12, B vitamins are referred to by their names: thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), biotin and folate. Exceptional dietary sources of B vitamins include fortified cereals, ham, tuna, wheat germ, liver, milk, spinach, lentils and a wide variety of other foods. B vitamins in the body function mainly as coenzymes or parts of coenzymes. Coenzymes are considered to be the keys that unlock the mechanism of action of enzymes that speed up reactions in the body. B vitamins are utilized in a wide variety of functions in the body, such as the metabolism of protein, carbohydrate and fat and the synthesis of neurotransmitters, betaine, RNA/DNA, red blood cells, amino acids involved in the reduction of homocysteine levels, and antioxidants such as glutathione. Some B vitamin derivatives, also known as quasi-vitamins, function similarly to vitamins, but their human requirements are not yet known, even though they are associated with important biological activities in the body. Inositol, choline and para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) are known to be part of the B-complex family, while taurine and carnitine, which are also derived from B vitamins, are usually listed in the amino acid family due to their shape. Although they are all known to play fundamental roles in the body, they have not yet been proven to be essential in the diet for humans since they can be synthesized in the body from B vitamins and other nutrients. Choline is a vitamin-like substance and considered a B vitamin derivative. Along with vitamins B6, folate and B12, choline helps metabolize homocysteine to L-methionine and L-cysteine in the body. Choline functions as a precursor for acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, and it is also a component of phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine. Additionally, it is a major component of cell membrane and blood lipoproteins. Plus, choline is a precursor for the methyl donor betaine, which acts as a source of HCl in the gut for optimal heart and digestive health. Significant dietary sources of choline include egg yolk, soy, chicken, Atlantic cod, wheat germ and broccoli. Inositol is often associated with vitamin B complex but is actually considered a B vitamin derivative that serves as an important component of phospholipids. Inositol is converted to phosphatidylinositol, a phospholipid that is important for the maintenance of cellular membranes, metabolism and growth. NOTE: Product's picture may look different from actual product ordered.

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