Vitamin B Helps Stop Cravings!
Vitamin B is essential to keep you healthy.
But for many people, the big benefit of the B vitamins is that they help to steadily release energy from the food we eat.
Why is that so cool?
Because with a steady release of energy, we have fewer food cravings, and without those, we’re less likely to rely on sugary and unhealthy snacks between meals.
Now that we know this great benefit, let’s learn a bit more about Vitamin B, its problems, the different types, and how we can make sure we get enough of it.
What Does Vitamin B Do For Us?
Vitamin B is essential for many internal body functions including the nervous system, immune system, healthy blood cells, and cell division.
The Problem with Vitamin B
Vitamin B can be easily destroyed through alcohol, cooking and many food processing techniques.
That’s why, for example, products made with white flour are often less nutritious than food made with wholegrain – the white flour is more heavily processed and thus has fewer nutrients.
The Different Types Of Vitamin B
There are actually 8 different types of Vitamin B, and the best known are folic acid, B12 and thiamine.
While they all have slightly different functions, there are physical illnesses that are linked to a deficiency of such vitamins.
Let’s have a look at some of them in more detail.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is essential for DNA repair and cell growth – it is particularly important during infancy and pregnancy. If you are a woman of childbearing age, be sure to get sufficient folic acid because the benefits for both the mother and the unborn child are abundant.
You can consume foods high in folic acid, and also take folic acid supplements if you are deficient.
As the name implies, foliage foods are high in folic acid, including green leafy vegetables such as turnip greens, kale and spinach, along with various fresh fruits.
A deficiency of folic acid can lead to depression, confusion, anemia, and, during pregnancy, fetal defects. Folic acid also appears to have benefits in reducing the likelihood and seriousness of other health conditions, including strokes and fertility.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is important for essential brain and nervous system functioning. Even minor levels of deficiency may cause symptoms such as memory loss, fatigue, and depression.
Vitamin B12 can be obtained through animal-based products such as beef, eggs, milk, and shellfish (particularly clams, crab, and mussels).
If you are vegetarian or vegan, you may want to consider taking Vitamin B12 supplements
Niacin
Niacin is also known as B3 and is important for many reactions within the body, including cell synthesis. Niacin has been shown to be beneficial in the cardiovascular system and associated health conditions.
Niacin deficiency is uncommon but possible. It is present in peanuts, lentils, fish, and meat.
Riboflavin
Riboflavin, also known as B2, is essential to create and maintain the body’s basic building blocks. A deficiency leads to symptoms including sore throat, birth defects if a woman is deficient during pregnancy, anemia, and oily skin.
Riboflavin is found in many food sources including milk, cheese, yeast, mushrooms, and almonds.
Thiamin
The body uses thiamin to regulate appetite and support the metabolism.
Dark green leafy vegetables, pork, wheat germ, green peas, lentils and almonds all contain Thiamin.
A Word on Fortified Foods
Many foods, particularly breakfast cereals, tell you they are fortified with various vitamins, often including some of the B vitamins.
But remember that it’s always, always better to get your vitamins naturally through food rather than via artificial supplements. (It’s also more green and eco friendly).
In addition, many products which are fortified may also contain large quantities of sugar (most breakfast cereals do) or high fructose corn syrup. So the benefits of the added supplements are far outweighed by the damage done to you by the sweet-tasting ingredients and the processing the food undergoes.
The Best Way to Ingest Vitamin B
You’ve probably heard it before.
The very best way to make sure you are getting enough Vitamin B, is to eat a balanced diet on a daily basis.
P.S. Is always a good idea to speak to your health professional before making any substantial changes to your diet.
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