These experimental results suggest the possibility that group B vitamins have antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects on lipid peroxidation under different experimental conditions. Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries. However, current therapeutic strategies for stroke have been largely unsuccessful. Several studies have demonstrated significant benefits in reducing the risk of stroke and in improving the functional impairment associated with them in patients who consumed foods rich in micronutrients, including B vitamins.
Folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 are all cofactors of homocysteine metabolism. Increasing interest has been given to hyperhomocystatic anemia as a risk factor for stroke. Experimental studies suggest that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic brain injury, and large population studies have associated a higher intake of antioxidants with a lower risk of stroke. The objective of this study was to examine whether the dietary intake of B vitamins and antioxidants in stroke patients was comparatively worse than in patients without stroke.
This B vitamin acts as an antioxidant to help fight free radicals (particles in the body that damage cells). It can also prevent premature aging and the onset of heart disease. In addition, riboflavin is important for the production of red blood cells, which are needed to carry oxygen throughout the body. Several studies suggest that vitamin B2 may help prevent migraines, but more research is needed to be sure.
And be careful, while sunlight is good for the body, UV light reduces the riboflavin content in food sources. You should buy milk, for example, in opaque containers to prevent this vitamin from breaking down. Pineapple is a fruit rich in sugar, but it also contains vitamin C and fiber, and an enzyme, bromelain, known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It's no surprise that vitamin B9, also called folic acid or folate, is a nutrient necessary for the body's growth and development.
As vitamin B12 is only found in animal products, studies show higher rates of people who do not consume meat and are deficient in this vitamin. The results of this study reveal that the average daily intake of folic acid and vitamin B12 in men was lower than the recommended daily dose (67% ± 50, 76% ± 40, respectively) and the daily intake of folic acid, vitamin B12 and niacin in women was lower than the recommended daily dose (80% ± 11, 46% ± 33 and 72 ± 34, respectively). Serious drug interactions have not been reported with a low or medium intake of non-antioxidant vitamins. The National Institutes of Health estimates that about 6 percent of adults under 60 in the United States and the United Kingdom are deficient in vitamin B12, but that number increases to about 20 percent in those over 60.
Vitamins can be found in food (natural vitamins) or can be produced in laboratories (synthetic vitamins). Vitamin C is capable of essentially influencing the course of many metabolic processes and is therefore used in the treatment and prophylaxis of many diseases, including processes associated with reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. Vitamin B5 is found in vegetables such as broccoli, kale and avocado, as well as in whole grains, potatoes, dairy products and offal. Along with other B vitamins 12 and 9, B6 helps regulate levels of the amino acid homocysteine (associated with heart disease).
This type of B vitamin is also found in fortified products, such as breakfast cereals and nutritional yeast. To get more vitamin B12 in their diets, people can turn to natural sources rich in vitamins, such as dairy products, fish, meat and, in particular, beef liver and clams. Vitamin B3 deficiency is very rare in developed countries, although alcoholism has been shown to reduce vitamin B3 levels in some people. This vitamin is also especially important for pregnant women, as it promotes the baby's growth and prevents neurological birth defects.
