Water-soluble vitamins are easily dissolved in water and flushed out if
consumed excessively. The vitamins that come under this category are
Vitamin B1, B3, B5, B2, B6, B7, B9, B12 and C. These vitamin sources are
vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
Vitamin B1- The scientific name of Vitamin B1 is thiamine. It comes under
the water-soluble vitamin category. Vitamin B1 is essential for heart,
nerve and muscle function. It also plays an integral part in glucose
metabolism in the human body.
Vitamin B2- The scientific name of Vitamin B2 is riboflavin. It is a water-
soluble vitamin essential for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients.
It maintains the tissues in the body. This vitamin is stored in the small
intestine.
Vitamin B3- This water-soluble vitamin's scientific name is niacin. Niacin
vitamin has some significant functions in the human body, such as
converting nutrients into energy, assisting in DNA formation and
repairing DNA.
Vitamin B5- Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid. This water-
soluble vitamin function actively breaks down the food we intake and
converts it into energy. It can easily be found in animal and plant-based
products such as egg yolk and broccoli, fish, chicken, yoghurt, legumes,
mushrooms, etc.
Vitamin B6- Vitamin B6, which is also called pyridoxine. It is the essential
form of coenzyme in the body. It is naturally present in many foods,
added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. The primary
food sources of pyridoxine are salmon.
Vitamin B7- Vitamin B7, which is known as biotin. This water-soluble
vitamin helps enzymes break down protein, carbohydrates and fats we
acquire from food. The function of Vitamin B7 is cell signaling, histone
modification and regulation of genes.
Vitamin B9- Vitamin B9, also called folic acid. Essential element that
assists in forming RNA and DNA. It necessary for the breakdown of
homocysteine, which is a toxic amino acid that can affect our body if
present in excessive quantities. Further, the other functioning of folic acid
is foetus development and formation of RBC.
Vitamin B12- Vitamin B12 scientific name is cobalamin. This water-
soluble vitamin is derived mainly from animal sources. Cobalamin works
as an enzyme cofactor. The absorbed Vitamin B12 helps synthesise fatty
acids, DNA and myelin. It is also crucial for the formation of RBC.
Vitamin C- The scientific name of Vitamin C is ascorbic acid. This water-
soluble vitamin is generally found in citrus fruits. It acts as an antioxidant
and assists in healing all kinds of infections. It protects against the
invasion of elements .Assists in the production of collagen in the body.
Deficiency
Vitamin A deficiency leads to diseases such as cystic fibrosis, dry skin,
Xerophthalmia, growth retardation and more.
The symptoms of vitamin B1 deficiency are weight loss, cardiac
symptoms and more.
Vitamin B2 deficiency can lead to liver disease, diarrhea, and alcoholism.
Vitamin B3 The significant symptoms of niacin deficiency are headache,
memory loss, fatigue, depression and hallucinations.
Vitamin B5 some symptoms of vitamin B5 deficiency are restlessness,
numbness, irritability, headache and muscle cramps.
The deficiency of Vitamin B6 causes scalp and skin conditions. Further,
other diseases like Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac
disease are also caused by Vitamin B6.
Vitamin B7 deficiency can lead to problems like skin rashes, brittle nails
and hair loss. Some other symptoms of biotin deficiency are ataxia, weak
immune system, depression, hallucination and more.
Vitamin B9 Folic acid deficiency can lead to unhealthy blood cells,
infertility, cardiovascular disease and depression
Dietary insufficiency or improper digestion can lead to Vitamin B12
deficiency. Its deficiency can lead to neurological issues.
Scurvy is caused by Vitamin C deficiency.
