B Vitamins: Everything You Need to Know!

Summary

This video from Learn with Med Nuggets dives into the world of vitamin B, covering the eight types of B vitamins essential for energy production and metabolism. It discusses the signs and symptoms of various B vitamin deficiencies, including beriberi and Wernicke encephalopathy for B1, cheilosis and corneal vascularization for B2, and megaloblastic anemia for B9 and B12. The video also provides mnemonics to remember these conditions and emphasizes the importance of proper intake and absorption, highlighting the impact of diet, alcohol, and certain medical conditions on B vitamin levels.

Takeaways

• 🌟 There are eight types of vitamin B, each playing a crucial role in energy production, metabolism, and maintaining healthy skin, hair, eyes, liver, and nervous system function.
• 🍻 Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) deficiency can be caused by heavy drinking, malabsorption syndromes, and conditions like anorexia nervosa or bariatric surgery, and is crucial to prevent Wernicke encephalopathy in malnourished patients.
• 🚑 Beriberi and Wernicke encephalopathy are significant conditions resulting from B1 deficiency, with the latter presenting a triad of confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia.
• 🍫 Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) deficiency can lead to cheilosis and corneal vascularization, memorable with the mnemonic 'two C's of B2'.
• 🥃 Vitamin B3 (Niacin) deficiency can be caused by heavy drinking, Hartnup disease, and carcinoid syndrome, and is characterized by the mnemonic '3Ds of B3' (diarrhea, dementia, and dermatitis).
• 🔢 Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) is associated with a rare deficiency that can cause adrenal insufficiency, enteritis, alopecia, and dermatitis, with a mnemonic involving the shape of a pentagon.
• 💊 Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) deficiency can be caused by drugs like isoniazid and can lead to sideroblastic anemia and irreversible peripheral neuropathy, requiring supplementation when treating tuberculosis.
• 🥚 Biotin (Vitamin B7) deficiency is extremely rare, often linked to raw egg whites consumption or antibiotic use, disrupting biotin absorption or production.
• 🥦 Vitamin B9 (Folate) deficiency is common in malnutrition and malabsorption syndromes affecting the jejunum, crucial for DNA synthesis and linked to megaloblastic anemia and neural tube defects in babies.
• 🥩 Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine) deficiency is more common in vegetarians due to its presence in animal products and is essential for nervous system myelination and red blood cell formation, leading to megaloblastic anemia and subacute combined degeneration.
• 🚫 Conditions like pernicious anemia, gastrectomy, and diseases affecting the terminal ileum can cause B12 malabsorption, while increased demand during pregnancy or diseases like leukemia can lead to deficiency.

Q & A

How many types of vitamin B are there and what are their common names?

There are eight types of vitamin B. They are known as vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folic acid), and B12 (cobalamine).

What is the primary function of B vitamins in the body?

B vitamins help the body convert carbohydrates into glucose for energy, and they also aid in the metabolism of fats and proteins.

What are some of the health benefits of B complex vitamins?

B complex vitamins are essential for healthy skin, hair, eyes, liver function, and for maintaining good brain and nervous system functioning.

What are the conditions that can cause vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency?

Vitamin B1 deficiency can be caused by heavy drinking, malabsorption syndromes, diarrhea, prolonged vomiting, and bariatric surgery which bypasses the duodenum where B1 is absorbed.

Why is it important to administer thiamine before dextrose in malnourished or alcohol-dependent patients?

Administering thiamine before dextrose in these patients is crucial to prevent the development of Wernicke encephalopathy, a severe neurological condition.

What are the two forms of beriberi and what are their main symptoms?

Beriberi comes in two forms: dry beriberi, which can lead to symmetrical peripheral neuropathy, and wet beriberi, which can cause high output heart failure.

What mnemonic can be used to remember the clinical features of vitamin B3 (niacin) deficiency?

The mnemonic for the clinical features of vitamin B3 deficiency is the '3Ds of B3': diarrhea, dementia, and dermatitis.

How can one remember that pantothenic acid refers to vitamin B5?

One can remember pantothenic acid as vitamin B5 by associating the word 'pantothenic' with a pentagon, which has five sides, just like the number 5.

What are the consequences of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency?

Vitamin B6 deficiency can lead to sideroblastic anemia and peripheral neuropathy, which can sometimes be irreversible.

What is the primary cause of vitamin B12 (cobalamine) deficiency in vegetarians?

Vitamin B12 is found almost exclusively in animal products, so vegetarians are more susceptible to B12 deficiency due to the lack of dietary sources.

How can one differentiate between megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B9 (folic acid) deficiency and that caused by vitamin B12 deficiency?

B9 deficiency is not associated with neurological symptoms, and the methylmalonic acid level is normal, unlike in B12 deficiency where the levels are high.

Outlines

00:00

🥗 Understanding Vitamin B Complex and Deficiencies

This paragraph introduces the B vitamin complex, emphasizing its role in converting carbohydrates to glucose for energy and its importance for healthy skin, hair, eyes, liver, and nervous system functioning. It outlines the eight types of vitamin B, including their common names and functions. The paragraph also delves into the causes and symptoms of vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency, such as beriberi and Wernicke encephalopathy, and highlights the clinical importance of administering thiamine before dextrose in malnourished or alcohol-dependent patients to prevent Wernicke encephalopathy.

05:02

🍫 Exploring Deficiencies of Vitamins B2, B3, and B5

This section discusses the causes and effects of deficiencies in vitamins B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), and B5 (pantothenic acid). It explains how heavy drinking, malabsorption syndromes, and certain diseases can lead to these deficiencies. The paragraph uses mnemonics like 'the two C's of B2' for cheilitis and corneal vascularization, and '3Ds of B3' for diarrhea, dementia, and dermatitis to help remember the symptoms. It also touches on the role of vitamin B6 as a cofactor in synthesizing niacin from tryptophan and the potential for drug-induced deficiencies.

10:04

🌿 Vitamin B6, B7, B9, and B12: Roles and Deficiency Symptoms

The final paragraph covers the roles of vitamins B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate), and B12 (cobalamine), and the symptoms associated with their deficiencies. It explains how certain drugs, malnutrition, and malabsorption can lead to these deficiencies and the importance of vitamin B9 in DNA synthesis and preventing neural tube defects in babies. The paragraph also describes the neurological condition subacute combined degeneration caused by vitamin B12 deficiency and how to differentiate between B9 and B12 deficiency-related anemia. It concludes with a reminder of the importance of vitamin B12 in the body's stores and the long time it takes for a deficiency to develop.

Keywords

💡Vitamin B

Vitamin B is a group of eight vitamins that play a crucial role in converting food into energy and maintaining a healthy skin, hair, eyes, liver, and brain function. In the video, Vitamin B is the central theme, with each type of B vitamin discussed in relation to its function and deficiency symptoms.

💡Deficiency

Deficiency refers to a lack of a necessary nutrient, in this case, a specific type of Vitamin B. The script outlines various signs and symptoms associated with different Vitamin B deficiencies, highlighting the importance of adequate intake for overall health.

💡Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

Thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1, is essential for the body's energy production and nervous system function. The script discusses its deficiency, which can lead to conditions like beriberi and Wernicke encephalopathy, and the importance of administering it before dextrose in malnourished patients.

💡Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

Riboflavin, or Vitamin B2, is vital for energy production and cellular function. The script uses a mnemonic device 'two flavors' to remember this vitamin and describes its deficiency symptoms, such as cheilitis and corneal vascularization.

💡Niacin (Vitamin B3)

Niacin, or Vitamin B3, is necessary for DNA repair, energy production, and maintaining healthy skin. The video script explains that a deficiency can lead to the '3Ds'—diarrhea, dementia, and dermatitis, and is associated with conditions like pellagra.

💡Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)

Pantothenic Acid, or Vitamin B5, is part of coenzyme A, which is crucial for the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. The script uses the image of a pentagon to help remember this vitamin and mentions that its deficiency can cause adrenal insufficiency and dermatitis.

💡Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)

Pyridoxine, or Vitamin B6, is a cofactor in many biochemical reactions, including the synthesis of hemoglobin. The video script explains that its deficiency can lead to sideroblastic anemia and peripheral neuropathy, and the importance of its supplementation when using isoniazid.

💡Biotin (Vitamin B7)

Biotin, or Vitamin B7, is essential for cell growth, the production of insulin, and the maintenance of healthy skin, hair, and nails. The script mentions that its deficiency is rare but can be caused by consuming raw egg whites, which contain avidin that binds biotin.

💡Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)

Folic Acid, or Vitamin B9, is critical for DNA synthesis and cell division. The video script discusses its deficiency, which can result in megaloblastic anemia and neural tube defects in babies, and its importance in a balanced diet.

💡Cobalamine (Vitamin B12)

Cobalamine, or Vitamin B12, is vital for the production of red blood cells and the maintenance of the nervous system. The script explains that its deficiency can lead to megaloblastic anemia and subacute combined degeneration, with vegetarians being at higher risk due to limited dietary sources.

💡Mnemonics

Mnemonics are memory aids used to help remember complex information. The script uses several mnemonics, such as 'B1 before dextrose' for thiamine administration and '3Ds of B3' for niacin deficiency symptoms, to facilitate recall of vitamin-related information.

Highlights

There are eight types of vitamin B, each with specific roles in the body's energy conversion and metabolism.

Vitamin B complex is essential for healthy skin, hair, eyes, liver, and brain and nervous system functioning.

Vitamin B1 deficiency can be caused by heavy drinking, malabsorption syndromes, and bariatric surgery.

Administering thiamine before dextrose in malnourished or alcohol-dependent patients prevents Wernicke encephalopathy.

Beriberi and Wernicke encephalopathy are significant conditions resulting from vitamin B1 deficiency.

Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, deficiency can cause cheilitis and corneal vascularization.

Vitamin B3, or niacin, deficiency can be caused by heavy drinking and conditions affecting tryptophan levels.

The 3Ds of B3 (diarrhea, dementia, dermatitis) are clinical features of vitamin B3 deficiency.

Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, deficiency can lead to adrenal insufficiency, enteritis, alopecia, and dermatitis.

Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, deficiency can cause sideroblastic anemia and peripheral neuropathy.

When treating tuberculosis with isoniazid, co-administer pyridoxine to prevent peripheral neuropathy.

Vitamin B7, or biotin, deficiency is rare but can be caused by excessive raw egg white consumption or antibiotic use.

Vitamin B9, or folate, deficiency is common in malnutrition and can be caused by malabsorption syndromes.

Folate deficiency can lead to megaloblastic anemia and neural tube defects in babies.

Vitamin B12, or cobalamine, deficiency is more common in vegetarians and can cause megaloblastic anemia and subacute combined degeneration.

Pernicious anemia, gastrectomy, and diseases of the terminal ileum can cause vitamin B12 malabsorption.

Drugs like metformin can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency.

Differentiating B9 and B12 deficiency involves assessing for neurological symptoms and methylmalonic acid levels.

Vitamin B12 deficiency takes longer to develop than B9 deficiency due to larger body stores.

Transcripts

welcome back to learn with Med nuggets

in this video we will discuss everything

you need to know about vitamin B

including signs and symptoms that can be

caused by different types of vitamin B

deficiencies and some mnemonics to help

you easily remember them

there are eight types of vitamin B

vitamin B1 also known as thymine B2 also

called riboflavin B3 niacin

B5 pantothenic acid

B6 pyridoxine

B7 biotin

B9 folic acid

and B12 cobalamine

all B vitamins help our body convert

carbohydrates to glucose for energy

they also help to metabolize fats and

proteins

B complex vitamins are required for a

healthy skin hair eyes liver and also

for good brain and nervous system

functioning

now let's move on to the courses and

signs and symptoms of the different

types of vitamin B deficiencies

vitamin B1 deficiency can be caused by

heavy drinking research over the past 30

years has identified that this might be

due to inadequate nutritional intake in

Alcoholics and due to alcohol's effect

on thymine uptake and function

malabsorption syndromes

diarrhea

prolonged vomiting commonly seen in

patients with anorexia nervosa or

hyperemesis gravidarum and bariatric

surgery because the duodenum which is

the place at which vitamin B1 absorption

takes place is bypassed in the new root

of the GI tract created by bariatric

surgery therefore this will lead to lack

of absorption of vitamin B1

an important clinical and board exam

point you must remember is that in

malnourished or alcohol dependent

patients you must always give thiamine

before dextrose to prevent the patient

from developing Wernicke encephalopathy

remember B1 before dextrose

vitamin B1 deficiency can lead to two

very important conditions called

beriberi and Wernicke encephalopathy

berry berry comes in two forms called

wet berry berry and dry berry berry

dry berry berry can lead to a

symmetrical peripheral neuropathy

wet beriberi can lead to the development

of high output heart failure

an easy way to remember this is heart

pumps blood right and blood is wet so

wet berry berry will cause heart

problems

Wernicke encephalopathy presents with

the classic Triad of confusion Ataxia

and ophthalmoplegia at least for your

board exams

in real life all three features are only

present in one third of patients

syndrome is a severe and late

Neuropsychiatric manifestation of

Wernicke encephalopathy

korsakov syndrome presents with

personality changes retrograde and

anterogrid Amnesia and confabulations

now let's move on to vitamin B2

deficiency

vitamin B2 is also known as riboflavin

when I was studying for my board exams I

always found it difficult to remember

the names of different vitamin B types

I remembered vitamin B2 is riboflavin by

the word Flavin which reminded me of

flavors

whenever I think of flavors two flavors

come to my mind that is chocolate and

vanilla

cereboflavin is two flavors and that is

B2

vitamin B2 deficiency can cause chelitis

and corneal vascularization which can be

remembered by the pneumonic the two C's

of B2

now let's move on to vitamin B3 also

called niacin

vitamin B3 deficiency can be caused by

heavy drinking

conditions associated with tryptophan

deficiency such as harden up disease and

carcinoid syndrome as tryptophan is used

by our body to synthesize niacin

tryptophan can be converted into two

different derivatives in our body

one is niacin and the other one is

serotonin

heart knob disease is caused by

decreased reabsorption of tryptophan and

this tryptophan deficiency can lead to

Nicene deficiency

in carcinoid syndrome there's an

excessive production of Serotonin and

this uses up all the tryptophan that is

required for the production of niacin

therefore carcinoid syndrome can also

lead to niacin deficiency

vitamin B6 is a cofactor that is

required to produce niacin from

tryptophan

therefore conditions causing vitamin B6

deficiency such as the drug isoniacin

can also lead to vitamin B3 deficiency

vitamin B3 deficiency can cause three

important clinical features that can be

remembered with the simple mnemonic the

3DS of B3 which stands for diarrhea

dementia and dermatitis

moving on to vitamin B5 pantothenic acid

you can remember that pantothenic acid

refers to vitamin B5 using the image of

a pentagon as a pentagon has five sides

Pentagon pantothenic five sides B5

vitamin B5 deficiency is rare however a

deficiency in this vitamin can cause

things like adrenal insufficiency

enteritis alopecia and dermatitis

vitamin B6 pyridoxine

a deficiency in vitamin B6 can be caused

by drugs like iosen acid and oral

contraceptives

vitamin B6 deficiency can lead to

cideroblastic anemia as B6 is a cofactor

in the heme synthesis pathway that

produces hemoglobin in red blood cells

vitamin B6 deficiency can also cause

peripheral neuropathy which can be

irreversible sometimes

an important clinical and board exam

point you must remember is that whenever

you give ice and acid to treat

tuberculosis make sure to give

paridoxine as well to prevent ionizing

induced peripheral neuropathy which can

be caused by B6 deficiency

vitamin B7 biotin

biting deficiency is extremely rare it

can be caused by excessive consumption

of raw egg whites as they contain a

protein called avidine which can bind to

Biotin and prevent its absorption at the

intestinal lumen

biotin deficiency can also be caused by

the prolonged use of antibiotics which

can destroy gut Flora that produce

biotin

biting deficiency can lead to a bunch of

signs and symptoms that you don't really

have to know for your exams

[Music]

vitamin B9 folate

vitamin B9 or folate is commonly found

in things that you don't like to eat

such as leafy green vegetables and

fruits

therefore malnutrition is one of the

most common causes of vitamin B9

deficiency

folate deficiency can also be caused by

malabsorption syndromes affecting the

jejunum such as celiac disease tropical

sprue and inflammatory bowel disease and

small bowel resection as folate is

absorbed in the jejunum

it's very important to remember for your

boats that drugs such as Methotrexate

phenytoin trimethoprim and sulfonamides

can also cause benign deficiency

vitamin B9 plays a very important role

in DNA synthesis

therefore benign deficiency can lead to

megaloblastic anemia and maternal folate

deficiency can cause neural tube defects

in babies such as spina bifida and

anencephaly

now let's move to the last type of

vitamin B vitamin B12 also known as

cobalamine

vitamin B12 is found almost exclusively

in animal products therefore vegetarians

are more susceptible to vitamin B12

deficiency

vitamin B12 plays an important role in

enzymatic reactions required for the

myelination of the nervous system and

the formation of red blood cells

therefore a deficiency in B12 can lead

to megaloblastic anemia and a neurologic

condition called Subacute combined

degeneration

Subacute combine degeneration is a

condition that leads to symmetrical

demyelination of spinal cord tracts such

as the corticospinal tracts and the

dorsal columns

therefore patients can present with

parisis impaired proprioception

loss of joint posture and sense and

vibrations

vitamin B12 deficiency can be caused by

mild absorption malnutrition or

increased demand

malabsorption of vitamin B12 can be

caused by conditions such as pernicious

anemia

pernicious anemia is an autoimmune

condition characterized by the absence

of intrinsic factor A protein that is

crucial for the absorption of vitamin

B12

gastrectomy as our stomach is the place

that produces intrinsic factor

and by diseases involving the terminal

ileum where vitamin B12 absorption takes

place

such as Crohn's disease celiac disease

pancreatic insufficiency

resection of the ilium and tapeworm

infection

malnutrition from strict vegan diets and

anorexia nervosa can also cause B12

deficiency

conditions that can lead to an increased

demand of vitamin B12 such as pregnancy

lactation and even leukemia can lead to

vitamin B12 deficiency

another very important point you need to

remember is that drugs such as metformin

can also lead to the development of B12

deficiency

since B12 and B9 deficiency can both

present with megaloblastic anemia you

must remember how to differentiate these

two conditions for your boards

remember B9 deficiency is not associated

with neurologic symptoms like B12

deficiency

and the methylmalonic acid level is

normal in B9 deficiency unlike in B12

deficiency where the methyl malonic acid

levels are very high

the reason behind this is B12 is a

cofactor that is required for the

conversion of methyl malonic acid to

success

so a B12 deficiency can lead to high

levels of methyl malonic acid

another important point to remember is

that vitamin B12 deficiency takes a long

time around ears and ears to develop

than a B9 deficiency as our bodies have

a very large number of vitamin B12

stores in comparison to vitamin B9

and this brings us to the end of our

vitamin B video

thank you for listening have a great day