Hello lina2,
Great question! B vitamins are water soluble, meaning that the body
tries to eliminate any excess of B vitamins, through the urine. It?s
pretty hard to accumulate toxic levels in the body by eating a healthy
diet, but it IS possible to overdo B vitamins if taking supplements;
and if you do, you may feel what is called ?The Niacin Rush?, which
causes a warm, flushed feeling. There is no known benefit in consuming
more than 1,000 mcg per day, and irreversible nerve damage can occur
if B vitamins taken in excess.
People with an inadequate diet, or who suffer from eating disorders,
smokers, alcohol and drug users, and women who take birth control
pills are at risk for B vitamin deficiency. As you will see, all the B
vitamins are responsible for nerve and nervous system health. Since
shingles is a herpes zoster infection of certain nerves of the face,
chest, or hips, it would seem logical that one should be sure to eat a
diet rich in B vitamins, and perhaps a supplement if necessary, within
reason.
======================================
Here is a list of vitamins belonging to the Vitamin B Complex:
B1(Thiamine): Needed to process carbohydrates, fat and protein in our diet.
http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Vitamin_B1.htm
B2(Riboflavin): Needed to process amino acids and fats, activate
vitamin B6 and folic acid, and converts carbohydrates into energy.
http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Vitamin_B2.htm
B3 (Niacin): This B vitamin comes in 2 ?flavors?, niacin and
niacinamide, and is needed to form fat from carbohydrates and to
process alcohol. The niacin form of vitamin B3 also regulates
cholesterol, though niacinamide does not.
http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Vitamin_B3.htm
B5 (Pantothenic Acid) Activates the adrenal glands, and helps regulate
blood levels of cholesterol and trigycerides. Important in energy
production, and maintaining a healthy nervous system.
http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Vitamin_B5.htm
B6(Pyroxidene):Is needed for the regulation of mental processes and
possibly mood regulation.B6 is the primary vitamin needed for
processing amino acids
http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Vitamin_B6.htm
B12 (Cobalamin): For healthy red blood cells and a health nervous system
http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Vitamin_B12.htm
Folic acid, also known as Folate: Reduces the level of plasma
homocysteine (HCY), thought to be risk factor for cadio-vascular
disease. Fast replicating tissues, such as those of a fetus, and
rapidly regenerating cells, like red blood cells and immune cells,
have a high need for folic acid. Folic acid deficiency results in a
type of anemia that is easily reversed with folic acid
supplementation.
http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Folic_Acid.htm
Biotin: Needed for protein, fat and carbohydrate utilization.
Deficiencies of this form of B vitamin are rare, as it is produced
naturally in the intestines.
http://www.vitacost.com/science/hn/Supp/Biotin.htm
http://www.indstate.edu/thcme/mwking/vitamins.html
===================================================
A good explantion of B vitamins can be found on the HowStuffWorks web site:
http://home.howstuffworks.com/vitamin-b.htm
From Mother Nature, ?But some doctors give their patients with
shingles injections of vitamin B12.?
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/bookshelf/Books/10/105.cfm
Vitamin B and Shingles article can be read here:
http://www.holistic-online.com/Remedies/Shingles/shingles_vitamin.htm
From HowsThat web site, scroll down to the middle of the page, for a
short paragraph about shingles.
http://www.howsthat.co.uk/00/01/000107.htm
From the Yale-New Haven Hospital, this site has a nice chart of foods
high in B vitamins.
http://www.ynhh.org/online/nutrition/advisor/folate.html
An article on the effects of B vitamins on homocysteine levels, from
the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Agricultural
University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9157965&dopt=Abstract
B vitamins may prevent breast cancer: From the Harvard University
Gazette, March 6, 2003
http://www.channing.harvard.edu/Bvitamins.htm
======================================
B Vitamin Toxicity:
One of my favorite medical web sites, eMedicine, discusses the problem
of Vitamin B ?overdose? here:
http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic638.htm
======================================
Hope this clears the "B" mystery up for you, lina2!
If any part of my answer is unclear, or if I have duplicated
information you already have, please request an Answer Clarification,
before rating, so I may assist you further. Kindly read the medical
disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
Regards,
crabcakes-ga
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