Ken Ward's Health and Nutrition Pages

List of Vitamins

Vitamin	Other Names
A	Carotene, retinol	Needed to protect the linings of the lungs, stomach, intestines, urinary tract and other organs. Deficiency produces night blindness.
	Beta-carotene	Vegetable substance that the body can convert to Vitamin A. It has an anti-cancer effect, and is not toxic in any way ... unlike vitamin A.
B1	Thiamine	Helps to process proteins, fats and carbohydrates
B2	Riboflavin	Involved in processing amino acids and fats, activating vitamin B6 and folic acid, and helps convert carbohydrates into ATP, an energy rich molecule which transports energy from food reactions.
B3	Nicotinic Acid, Niacin	Helps the body release energy from carbohydrates. It’s needed to form fat from carbohydrates and to process alcohol. The niacin form of vitamin B3 also regulates cholesterol.
B5	Calcium Pantothenate, Pantothenic acid	Involved in the Kreb’s cycle of energy production and is needed to make the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Essential in releasing energy from fats. Synthesis of cholesterol (needed for vitamin D and hormone synthesis) activates the adrenal glands. Pantethine—a variation of pantothenic acid—has been reported to lower blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
B6	Pyridoxine	Vitamin B6 involved with many amino acids and is also needed to make serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine, and several neurotransmitters
B7 Choline		A member of the B-complex vitamins that emulsifies fats, including cholesterol. Works with inositol.
Inositol		Like choline, inositol helps fat metabolism. Involved in the formation of cell membranes. It affects nerve transmission and helps in transporting fats within the body.
B8 Biotin	Coenzyme R, Vitamin H	A coenzyme in metabolism of protein, fats, and carbohydrates
B9	Folic Acid, Folacin	Folic acid is needed for DNA synthesis. DNA allows cells—including cells in the foetus when a woman is pregnant—to replicate normally.
B10 PABA	Para-aminobenzoic acid	Helps to form folic acid and in the utilization of protein.
B12	Cobalamin, Cyanocobalamin	Vitamin B12 is needed for normal nerve cell activity, DNA replication, and production of the mood-affecting substance called SAM (S-adenosyl methionine). Vitamin B12 works with folic acid to control homocysteine levels. Excessive homocysteine, which is an amino acid (protein building block), increases the risk of heart disease and perhaps osteoporosis.
B13	Orotic Acid	Metabolizes folic acid and vitamin B12
B15	Pangamic Acid	An antioxidant with similar effects to vitamin E.
B17	Laetrile	Made from apricot stones (or pits), this vitamin is the one that is not present in Brewer's yeast.
C	Ascorbic Acid	Also water-soluble, vitamin C is the opposite of vitamin B₁₂ in that it is found in almost all plant foods but not in meat. It is a powerful antioxidant and is required for the formation of collagen; i.e., in wound healing.
P	C-complex, citrus bioflavonoid, rutin, hesperidin	Works with vitamin C. Also increases capillary strength.
D	Calciforol	Vitamin D is fat-soluble, and cholecalciferol is the major active substance. Its main function is to stimulate the absorption of calcium.
E	Tocopherol	An antioxidant that protects cell membranes and other fat-soluble parts of the body.
K	Menadione	Menadione is involved in the processes of coagulation.

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