A, B, C, D, E, K are not just letters of the alphabet. No, they are actually vitamins. Vitamins are substances that the body needs to live a healthy life. While some are assimilated by the body in the small intestine, others are assimilated by the stomach. Mainly provided by food, vitamins are absolutely essential to our evolution and our well-being.

However, some vitamins are also manufactured by the body, directly in the intestine by the intestinal flora: these are the B vitamins.

We will then understand the importance of good intestinal health to benefit from the proper manufacture of our B vitamins. An unhealthy intestine due to porosity or an autoimmune disease such as Crohn's or disorders such as constant diarrhea, can disrupt the formation of this group of vitamins.

Group B vitamins are water-soluble vitamins, which means that they are soluble in water. Therefore, they are not stored in the body and the body must constantly produce them because no reserve is made internally. The advantage is that there is no risk, in general, of hypervitaminosis in case of excessive consumption. In fact, this excess will normally be eliminated through the urine automatically.

The B vitamins are the following:

• Vitamin B1 also called Thiamine or Aneurine
• Vitamin B2 also called Riboflavin
• Vitamin B3 also called Nicotinamide or vitamin PP
• Vitamin B5 also called Pantothenic Acid
• Vitamin B6 also called Pyridoxine
• Vitamin B8 also called Biotin or Vitamin H
• Vitamin B9 also called Folic Acid
• Vitamin B12 also called Cyanocobalamin

Focus on vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is the vitamin that people following a vegetarian diet, but especially VEGANs (no food source from animals, so they do not consume honey or eggs for example), know very well. In fact, one of the main sources of deficiency is this type of diet. Despite the fact that vitamin B12 is stored in the liver, it is a minor reserve. Therefore, supplementation will often be necessary for some people.

What are the main functions of Cyanocobalamin?

• It plays an important role in cell growth and division.
• It is essential for the good health of the nervous system
• It is anti-anemic because it allows a good assimilation of iron
• It stimulates appetite and growth in children
• It is necessary for the metabolism of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates

In addition to the diet, other factors may interfere with the formation or absorption of this vitamin:

• A problem in the small intestine
• An alteration of the gastric mucosa
• Too much alcohol consumption
• An excess of vitamin C
• Taking medication for stomach acid
• The contraceptive pill
• Sleeping pills are also responsible for the destruction of this vitamin

The daily requirement of vitamin B12 is 3µg on average. Vegetable sources are rare or almost non-existent, hence the problem for vegans. However, algae contain a certain amount. Of course, the sources are mainly of animal origin such as dairy products, meats or fatty fish and seafood. By consuming spirulinaYou are providing a complementary food intake.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can be detected by a blood test but also by various symptoms or health disorders, such as:

• Neurological disorders
• Irritability
• A depressive state
• Unexplained fatigue
• Memory problems
• Tingling
• Loss of appetite worsened over the months
• An alteration of taste
• an inflammation of the tongue that worsens with hot drinks, the tongue is then painful and stripped
• candida albican of course.

When you have a blood test, don't hesitate to ask your doctor to check your vitamin B12 level. Follow-up is important.