Advisory

B complex

B complex is a group of eight essential vitamins that play a crucial role in many bodily functions. These vitamins include B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate or folic acid), and B12 (cobalamin). Each of these vitamins has specific functions, but together they support the overall health of the body. B vitamins are essential for proper metabolic function, energy production, maintaining a healthy nervous system, and the formation of red blood cells.

B complex vitamins are found in many foods, most notably in whole grains, legumes, meat, offal, eggs, dairy products, and leafy greens. Because the body cannot store these vitamins (except for B12), it is important to regularly replenish them through diet or supplements. A deficiency in B vitamins can lead to fatigue, anemia, loss of appetite, depression, muscle cramps, hair loss, among other symptoms.

Hello, I have a question.
How are certain substances classified into the B complex group? Lately, it seems to me that every other substance is labeled with a B. So how many of these B vitamins are there actually?
Thanks :)

The term vitamin originates from the early 20th century and was proposed as a compound of the Latin words "vital" and "amine" (translated as "vital amines").

Currently, the B complex vitamins include the following substances:
Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (niacin), Vitamin B4 (adenine), Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal, pyridoxol, pyridoxamine), Vitamin B7 (biotin = vitamin H), Vitamin B8 (inositol), Vitamin B9 – folic acid (folacin, folate), Vitamin B10 (para-aminobenzoic acid - PABA), Vitamin B11 (choline), Vitamin B12 (cobalamin), Vitamin B13 (orotic acid = lipoic acid), Vitamin B14, Vitamin B15 (pangamic acid), Vitamin B16, Vitamin B17 (amygdalin).

The concept of vitamins was gradually expanded to include other newly discovered substances; however, not all contained an amine group in their chemical structure. The categorization was not changed, and today we refer to vitamins as essential substances (vital for life, which the body cannot synthesize on its own, thus must be supplied through daily diet). In a way, the term "vitamin" is outdated and does not correspond to the original meaning of the term.

Questions answered by

Mgr. Martin Jelinek
Lecturer and author of the educational system

Nutrition educator, lecturer, and author of the educational system and the ZOF learning application.

Mgr. Martin Jelínek has been systematically involved in nutrition education since 1999. He is the founder of ATAC, the educational company behind NutriCourses, and the author of an educational system focused on nutrition, healthy lifestyle, and the practical application of nutrition knowledge.

He graduated from the Faculty of Science at Masaryk University in Brno. Throughout his professional career, he has combined nutrition, education, and the practical application of acquired knowledge. His educational system also includes the ZOF (Zone of Optimal Functioning) learning application, where students turn theory into practical work with meal plans.

In 2007, he launched the first intake of a six-month course focused on the education of nutrition advisors. Over time, this course became the foundation for the further development of the educational system and a range of specialised courses.

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