The next list of things I bring to our discussion table is B vitamins.  There are so many…even some that are no longer considered vitamins.  I have never taken time to investigate all that each does and why it is important to consume the right amounts.  So I dove in.  Here is what I found.

B vitamins are water soluble which means that they are not stored in the body and must be consumed daily to maintain proper amounts in the system.  B12 is the exception to this; it is stored in the liver.

B vitamins are coenzymes which means that they can’t work on their own.  They speed up chemical reactions and give proteins their power.

As I assembled the spreadsheet below a few things jumped out at me.
1.  The body is so intricately created.  Balance is needed to perform all bodily functions.
2.  It is important to eat ‘nose to tail’.  Nose to tail is a term used in homesteading describing how a harvested animal is completely used – nose to tail.  Why does this come to my mind?  So many B vitamins are found in offal (organ meat – liver, kidney, heart, brain). So how do you eat more organ meat?  This company makes delicious seasoning blends that contain grass-fed organ meat.
3.  Some B vitamins are only found in meat, unless they are synthetic.  Synthetic reproductions don’t always work the same as naturally occurring vitamins; such is the case with folate.

Differences between folate and folic acid according to the Cleveland Clinic:
1.  Folate (F) is processed in the small intestine.  Folic acid (FA) is metabolized in the liver and other tissues.
2.  F is readily available; FA must first be converted causing build-up in the blood.
3.  F breaks down quickly with heat/light; FA is very stable.
4.  FA can be used to reduce toxicity of some meds.
5.  Eating too much F won’t hurt you.  Taking too much FA has side effects.
6.  High doses of FA block certain meds and hide B12 deficiency.
7.  F is measured in mcg (micrograms) of dietary folate equivalents ; FA in mcg only.

Highlights about B vitamins.  There is much more that each of these do.  None of the information is for diagnosing.
VITAMIN NAMESOME OF WHAT IT DOES                                         SOME DEFICIENCY SIGNS                                                 NATURAL SOURCES

B1	Thiamin	turns energy from food into ATP (powers mitochondria)	leg swelling, confusion	pork, asparagus, plums, egg yolk
B2	Riboflavin	cell function and metabolism	bloodshot/burny eyes, cataracts, red/sore tongue	dairy, beef liver, broccoli
B3	Niacin	DNA repair	canker sores, cold feet/hands, indigestion niacin can cause flushing (short-lived, hive-like symptom)	chicken, turkey, avocado, dates, figs
B5	Pantothenic acid	builds and breaks down fatty acids	blood/skin disorders, hypoglycemia, intestinal/nerve issues	shitake mushrooms, molasses, cauliflower
B6	Pyridoxin(e)	maintains proper homocysteine levels (too high leads to blood clots, cardiovascular issues)	dizziness, nervous disorders, hair loss, irritability, muscle spasms/weakness	yellowfin tuna, pistachios, bananas, walnuts
B7	Biotin	hair, skin, nails, fat/carb/protein  breakdown	dandruff, grayish skin, muscle pain, fatigue	egg yolk, navy beans, zbeef liver/kidney
B9	Folate	forms DNA and RNA, breaks down homocysteine, keeps RBC healthy	impaired circulation, emotional/physical stress, anxiety	spinach, black-eyed peas, papaya, walnuts
B12	Cobalamin	forms RBC and DNA, organ and brain function	instestinal malabsorption, weakness, intense nervousness	sardines, salmon, concord grapes
B17	Laetrile Nitrilosides	possible anti-cancer	possible anti-cancer properties	berries
B Complex	Choline	controls cholesterol build-up, nerve transmission	heart issues, high BP	eggs, milk, green leafy vegetables
B Complex	Inositol	metabolism of fat and cholesterol, hair growth	constipation, eczema	citrus, beef heart, cabbage, raspberries
B Complex	Paba	antioxidant, reproduction, blood cell formation	anemia, depression, digestive issues, gray hair	molasses, peas, beans, egg yolks
B13	Orotic acid	cell regeneration	this used to be considered a B vitamin but has since been declassified	root veggies, whey
B15	Calcium Pangamate	cell oxidation and respiration, metabolism	this used to be considered a B vitamin but has since been declassified	pumplin seeds, sesame seeds, nuts

THANK YOU FOR BEING A CLIENT.
I APPRECIATE YOU!