Benefits of B Vitamins and Where to Get Them
By Brandi Goodman
Maintaining your health isn't as simple as just eating right and getting enough exercise each day. Certain vitamins and minerals are needed if you truly want to be the healthiest version of yourself you can be. B vitamins, for example, bring many benefits. Learn which sources provide these vitamins so you can be sure you're incorporating them into your diet.
Energy
You need energy to get through the day. Your body needs energy to keep its systems functioning. B vitamins provide energy in these cases. Vitamin B12 is one of the most important in this process. It works to convert any food you consume into glucose. This glucose is then converted to the energy your body needs.
Brain Function
Your brain needs adequate vitamin intake if it's going to continue to function at optimal levels. B vitamins, in particular, are required for a healthy brain. They work to produce neurotransmitters that can help regulate your mood and allow messages to be transferred from the brain to other areas of the body. B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12 are all necessary for proper brain function. You also need folate, biotin, and pantothenic acid for this process.
Cell Metabolism
B vitamins are also required for cell metabolism. Your metabolism is what helps your body process all of the nutrients put into your body. It turns the calories you consume into energy instead of fat. As explained in the energy section, B12 is necessary for this process. Vitamin B6 is also vital in the role of cell metabolism.
Where to Find B Vitamins
You can find B vitamins in a number of food sources. Whole grains are one option. Most provide Vitamin B6. Meat provides the B-complex vitamins, including B6, B12, niacin, and more. Chicken and turkey are excellent choices in this category. Just one egg contains 15 percent of your daily recommended intake of B2 or riboflavin and 9 percent of the B12 or cobalamin you need each day.
Apples, bananas, and blackberries provide some of the best sources of B vitamins when it comes to fruit. Vitamin B1, B2, B6, and folate are offered. You can also get Vitamin C and Vitamin A with many fruit sources, making them ideal to have in your daily meal list.
Getting the right nutrients and vitamins is vital for optimal health. Without B vitamins, your body would not be able to function adequately. Enjoy more foods with B vitamins and other important nutrients or take a supplement containing them if you don't get enough in your day-to-day menu.
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