Role in the body | Pseudo vitamins | Vitamin B1 | Vitamin B2 | Vitamin B3 | Vitamin B5 | Vitamin B6 | Vitamin B7 | Vitamin B9 | Vitamin B12 | Conclusion
It is difficult to call nutrition balanced, now more than ever. Despite the observance of the rules of nutrition, according to statistics, each person suffers from a lack of some vitamin.
In the body of people suffering from diabetes, not only carbohydrate metabolism is disturbed, but also metabolic processes. This is due to both medication use and insufficient vitamins.
That is why, even after a course of treatment, one can feel weakness and malaise. In this article we will talk about vitamins, or rather about diabetes and B vitamins.
Role in the body
A necessary condition for the treatment of diabetes mellitus is the use of a sufficient amount of the B vitamin complex. What is so special about them?
It is very difficult to describe in a few words. This group of vitamins affects all processes in the body:
- normalizes the work of the nervous and circulatory system;
- improves bowel function;
- helps to improve the condition of the skin;
- supports emotional health;
- helps to cope with depression, stress, emotional stress;
- participates in the work of muscles, energy exchange;
- strengthens the immune system.
The group of B vitamins includes 12 water-soluble substances associated with each other. In the diet of every person, and even more so with diabetes, there should be eight of them. It includes:
- B1 (thiamine);
- B2 (riboflavin);
- B3 (niacin);
- B5 (pantothenic acid);
- B6 (pyridoxine);
- B7 (biotin);
- B9 (folic acid);
- B12 (cobalamin).
Where are the other 4 vitamins of this group? The fact is that it was revealed — B4, B8, B10 and B11, either the body produces on its own, or are not vital. And they began to be called pseudo vitamins.
Pseudo vitamins
So, B4 or choline is produced in small quantities. Helps the human body recover from a fun party or long-term use of antibiotics. But other than that, it regulates the amount of insulin in the blood.
B8 (inositol) — Essential for signaling to cells, nerve growth and function. It is freely produced in the body from glucose. Inositol promotes weight loss and “accelerates” the hair growth process, that is, it takes care of our beauty. Without it, conceiving a child becomes impossible.
B10 or para-aminobenzoic acid — protects our body from ultraviolet rays, hypoxia, and various infections. Saves from hair loss and improves the appearance of the skin.
B11- is produced by the body itself in sufficient quantities. Little is known about it, except that it inhibits the formation of platelets and promotes blood clotting.
Vitamin B1
The very first vitamin B1 was discovered. It affects the work of the brain and nervous system. Without this vitamin, we would not have enough energy!
With its participation, acetylcholine is produced. A neurotransmitter that affects memory, heart muscle and digestive organs. In the process of cell division, thiamine transmits genetic information.
It is necessary for the prevention of diabetic complications: retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy.
You can find it in many products, mainly of plant origin. These are: sprouted grains, cereals, bran, cabbage, carrots, onions, nuts, beans, spinach. Vitamin B1 can also be found in milk and dairy products, but in smaller quantities.
Did you know that smoking, alcoholic beverages and excessive coffee consumption reduce the absorption of thiamine? Also, up to 25% of the vitamin is destroyed during heat treatment.
An adult needs to take from 0.8 to 1.41 mg daily, children — from 0.3 mg to 1.4 mg. It all depends on the activity of the lifestyle, the more active it is, the more thiamine is required.
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B2 — riboflavin, or “anti-seborrheic vitamin”. Essential for the synthesis of hemoglobin and the absorption of iron. It also affects the function of vision and the work of the adrenal glands.
It is synthesized in the colon or taken with food. It is found in different types of meat, eggs, liver, fish, cheese and milk. Also, riboflavin is found in tomatoes, buckwheat, cabbage, oatmeal, leafy greens.
You also need to know that when defrosting, riboflavin is destroyed.
And a fifth of the vitamin is lost during heat treatment of the product.
1.3 mg per day is required for men and 1.1 mg for women. For newborns — 0.3 mg, 0.4-0.6 mg for children and 0.9 mg — for adolescents under 14 years of age.
Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3 is also known as niacin. This is the most stable compound, which is not afraid of heating, exposure to air, ultraviolet light, or prolonged drying.
Niacin normalizes carbohydrate and cholesterol metabolism, promotes the assimilation of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and the release of energy.
Thanks to niacin, blood pressure decreases, the functioning of the central nervous system and the appearance of the skin are improved.
Where can you find vitamin B3? It can be found in large quantities in meat, eggs, fish, liver, and kidneys. There is a smaller amount in garlic, cabbage, green peas, pepper, buckwheat, beans.
How much is needed? The daily dose for women is 14 mg, for men — 18 mg, for children — 5 — 13 mg.
Vitamin B5
Pantothenic acid or vitamin B 5 is an excellent helper in wound healing because it promotes tissue regeneration. It is also necessary for normal metabolism, the nervous system, and energy. Reduces stress and anxiety.
It is produced by the intestinal microflora and is found in some foods. These are lean meats and poultry, yolk, offal, nuts, mushrooms, vegetables, herbs. Everything you can eat with type 2 diabetes.
But be careful — with prolonged heat treatment, panthenol is destroyed!
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 affects all processes in the body, the immune, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. Without it, it is impossible to synthesize neurotransmitters responsible for mood and brain activity.
Beautiful hair, skin and strong nails are also the merit of pyridoxine!
It is found in large quantities in nuts, especially hazelnuts and walnuts. In tomatoes, cereals, cabbage, carrots, berries. It can also be obtained with potatoes, meat, and peppers.
Vitamin B6 is rapidly destroyed by light but is resistant to heat.
Vitamin B7
One of the most important substances in diabetes. It corrects blood sugar, reduces muscle pain, and participates in the transport of carbon dioxide.
Muscle weakening occurs. Drowsiness appears.
Found in beef liver, peas, brown rice, fish, milk, yolks, parsley, apples, and oranges.
Vitamin B9
Folic acid, or vitamin B9, is essential for pregnant women. It is this vitamin that is involved in the formation of the fetal neural tube, spinal cord, and brain. This vitamin is involved in protein metabolism, synthesizes leukocytes and erythrocytes, protects against the development of cancer.
It is found in greens and green vegetables, as well as tomatoes, nuts, beets, yeast, potatoes, and yolk.
Lack of vitamin B9 can cause mental illness in children, diseases of the digestive system and blood diseases.
Vitamin B12
Thanks to vitamin B12, blood clotting is regulated, cholesterol levels are reduced.
This vitamin is prescribed for type 2 diabetics taking Metformin for prevention. Since its intake is associated with a deficiency of vitamin B12, which leads to anemia, memory impairment, loss of strength and nerve damage.
Contained only in animal products.
Conclusion
Now I think it is clear why a person with diabetes needs to take vitamins of the B series. It must be remembered that these vitamins are involved in many vital processes of the body. And their lack can lead to serious failures.
They do not accumulate in the body, so it is very important to replenish them with food or supplements.