B-Vitamins catalyse the biochemistry of our core metabolism (breaking down & building molecules).
Different foods have varying amounts of B-Vitamins, however generally, foods naturally high in B-Vitamins include: Mushrooms, Eggs, Fish, Spinach, Avocados, Seeds, Chicken, Milk.
B-Vitamins are a group of 8 water soluble molecules, thus, they should be replenished daily as our bodies don't have long-term storage for them (except Vit-B12).
Each B-Vitamin is a specialist in certain biochemical reactions that support our health.
B-Vitamins help breakdown the major food groups; carbohydrates, fats and proteins into metabolites that go into generating ATP.
Our bodies use ATP as an energy currency to move muscles, maintain nervous electric gradients, synthesise other chemicals and much more.
Vit-B6 helps catalyse the exchange of a Keto acid molecule into an Amino acid (a.k.a. transamination). Amino acids are then used to create proteins by forming a chain.
Transamination requires a donor molecule such as Glutamate, which in turn gets its amine group from free NH₄⁺ via breakdown of nitrogen compounds or other amino acids with the help of Vit-B3.
DNA is the instruction manual in all living cells. To make DNA, there's 3 key ingredients:
- Deoxyribose sugars
- Nitrogeous Base
- Phosphate backbone
Vit-B1 helps catalyse the conversion of glucose into deoxyribose sugars.
Vit-B6 and B9 help donate carbons that produce the nitrogeouse bases.
Different genes are turned on and off for our cells to specialise into different organs (e.g., Skin, Heart, Brain, etc.). Therefore it is critical to regulate DNA for adaptability and differentiation of our cells.
Vit-B3 helps activate proteins called Sirtuins, which wrap DNA tightly and prevent transcription of certain genes (the first step to express a gene).
Vit-B9 and Vit-B12 help provide Carbon molecules and CH₃ that can bind to DNA to prevent transcription of certain genes.
Dysregulated DNA transcription is a hallmark of Cancer development and uncontrolled gene expression in certain cells.
Lipids are core components of our body, present in all cells, and specially used for neurone signalling, hormones and transportation of molecules.
Key B-Vitamins throughout the process include:
Our body needs to remove harmful molecules from continuously including toxins, excessive hormones or medication.
Vit-B5 helps provide Coenzyme A, which transports Acetyl groups that support the tagging of molecules for neutralisation & excretion.
Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons, this destabilises molecules creating free radicals that can damage cells and DNA (which may lead to cancer).
Our body carries a natural defense in the form of Glutathione (GSH) which is capable of neutralising free radicals.
Vit-B2 and Vit-B3 are strong redox catalysts that help regenerate Glutathione after it has neutralised free radicals.
Our body uses hormones and neurotransmitters to communicate internally. Key molecules include:
To produce these molecules, a pathway through amino-acids Tyrosine and Tryptophan modifies these molecules with different Vit-B and Vit-Cs as chemical catalysts.
