Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) deficiency causes white spots on the skin

Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin of the B complex and one of its form is known as Cyanocobalamin.
Vit B12 is vital for the normal functioning of the nervous system and in the production of other B complex vitamins. It is essential for the fatty acid metabolism for energy production and DNA synthesis.

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) is only synthesized by bacteria and cannot be produced by animals and plants.
Bio-synthesis and vitamin B12 production is carried on by gut bacteria. Very insignificant amount of vit B12 is synthesised by human gut bacteria.
The gut bacteria of the herbivores synthesise great quantities of this vit B12 and excess vit B12 production is stored in their liver and red tissues.

Causes of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) deficiency
Deficiency of vit B12 occurs either due to insufficient intake or poor absorption, as usually the cause in elderly persons.
Certain intestinal disorders like chronic atrophic gastritis, wherein absorption of food is impaired, can cause vit B12 deficiency.
As vitamin B12 naturally occurs in animal products like egg, meat and milk, the vegans who renounce the above vit B12 rich foods can develop severe deficiency of cyanocobalamin unless they take supplements.
Persons with severe infestation of intestinal parasites and worms will suffer deficiency of vit B12 as the parasites will compete with the host for the available vit B12.
In alcoholics symptoms and effects of vit B12 deficiency are pronounced due poor nutritional habits and the interference of alcohol in the absorption and utilisation of vit B12.

Vitamin B12 deficiency causes
The deficiency vit B12 (cyanocobalamin) can lead to Megaloblastic anemia wherein blood corpuscles are enlarged.
The deficiency of this vitamin can cause severe and irreversible damage of the brain and nervous system.
In slight vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms like depression, dementia and fatigue may be experienced.
Vit B12 deficiency in its severity has been found to cause symptoms like mania and psychosis.
Early symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are itching or pain in tongue, white spots on the skin due to lack of melanin in the area.
Symptoms also include sharp and tingling pain on the hand or wrist, sores on the corners of the mouth and nerve shock in the side of the body.
Vit B12 deficiency symptoms also show as breathlessness, twitching of the eye, memory loss and disorientation, migraine headaches and suicidal tendencies.
Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms and changes become irreversible over a length of time and may not be corrected even with supplements.

Vitamin B12 benefits for skin care and skin health
Vitamin B12 is very essential for sensitivity and skin's sensory functions. Deficiency of vitamin B12, by damaging the nerves, causes sensitivity, numbness and loss of sensation on parts of skin.
Vitamin B12 has some effect over the production and deposition of melanin pigment on the skin.
Vitamin B12 deficiency causes white spots on the skin.
These vit B12 deficiency white spots on skin, lack melanin and occur anywhere on the body. These vit B12 deficiency caused white spots may be itchy, often occurring on the outside of the forearm.
These B12 deficiency white spots may grow white hair.
If vit B12 supplement is not given to correct the deficiency, these vitamin B12 deficiency white spots will get whiter and skin may be itching.
With the passage of time these vit B12 white spots will become very dry and flaky and red/pink raw spots of lower layers of skin will get exposed. These white/pink/red spots will get infected and itching and other symptoms of skin diseases and dermatitis set in.
Dermatitis caused by vitamin B12 deficiency Vitamin B12 deficiency can also give rise to itching of the skin.
A person afflicted by itching gets relief and benefits from cyanocobalamin food supplements.
Symptoms like sores at the corners of the mouth, occasionally extending along the edge of the lip reveal the presence of cyanocobalamin deficiency.
Sometimes symptoms like darkness or paleness in skin color due to vit b12 (cyanocobalamin) deficiency is encountered caused by reduced circulation and lack of nutrients to the skin.

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) Toxicity
Toxicity of vitamin B12 may occur in very high doses and dermatitis and stomach irritation are main symptoms.
In some cases when used along with antibiotics side effects have been encountered with varied symptoms. Hence cautious observation should be made.
High doses of vitamin B12 may mask the symptoms of deficiency of vitamin B9 (folic acid).
Food Sources of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)
Good vit B12 foods are meat, liver, shellfish, milk and eggs. A very high value vit B12 food is liver.
Plants do not supply the vitamin. Vegetarians who do not take even eggs have to take supplements with their food to ward off deficiency.

Recommended dietary daily allowances of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) are as follows:
Infants and children
one year to 3 years: O.9 micrograms
4 years to 8 years: 1.2 micrograms
9 years to 13 years: 1.8 micrograms
Teenagers and adults
14 years to 18 years: males 2.4 micrograms; females 2.6 micrograms
Above 19 years: males 2.4 micrograms; females 2.6 micrograms
Pregnant women: 2.8 micrograms
Lactating mothers: 2.8 micrograms
For related information on skin inflammation (dermatitis), white spots and skin sensitivity read the following posts.

1. Vitamin B6 ( pyridoxine, Pyridoxal phosphate, pyridoxamine) deficiency can cause skin inflammation (dermatitis)
2. Folic acid (vitamin B9) deficiency causes dermatitis( skin inflammation)
3. Vitamin b1 deficiency causes skin sensitivity

For further skin care tips and information read the following posts.

1. The wonder super food spirulina for skin care
2. The wonder super food olive oil for skin care

For further information please visit http://www.thedynamicnature.com/vitamins/vitamin%20B12.html.

Skin care - Vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency causes skin sensitivity

Skin senses > Various causes of skin sensitivity
Vitamin B₁ is a micronutrient in the B complex group and is known as Thiamine. Vitamin B1 is one of nutrients found to be associated with a pandemic human deficiency disease.

Thiamine deficiency results in Beriberi and skin sensitivity. Thiamine is essential for the functioning of the nervous system and carbohydrate metabolism. The common symptoms in Beriberi involve the nervous system, the heart, skin sensitivity and general mental and physical debility. In the digestive system vitamin B1 is useful in the secretion of hydrochloric acid for the digestive process.

Thiamine is believed to be helpful in conditions like arthritis, cataracts, certain forms of diabetes. Thiamine is associated with memory and learning. Enzymes dependant on thiamine are present in almost all body cells. Hence deficiency in vitamin B1 is found to affect almost all the systems of the body. Heart and nervous system are particularly have sensitivity to deficiency of vitamin B1.

Causes of thiamine deficiency

The main cause of thiamine deficiency is malnutrition. Grains and cereals are very important food sources of vitamin B1. However most of the vitamin B1 in them is present in the outer layers and bran. However polishing the grains and refining the grains and their flour cases considerable loss of the vitamin B1.

High levels of alcohol in the blood interferes with the absorption and utilisation of thiamine and deficiency occurs in alcoholics. Shell fish, freshwater fish and ferns are rich in thiaminase, and raw consumption of them can result in thiamine getting degraded leading to its deficiency and skin sensitivity.

Antithiamine factors are present in betel nuts, tea and coffee, and excess consumption of these can can lead to deficiency of vitamin B1.

Elderly people who suffer malnutrition due to impaired absorption and people with gastrointestinal disorders develop deficiency of vitamin B1 and skin sensitivity.

Chronic diseases have been found to cause vitamin B1 deficiency.

Diabetics have been found to have deficiency of thiamine.

Vitamin B1 deficiency affects

Minor deficiency of Thiamine may result in loss of appetite, forgetfulness, irritability, sensitivity, digestive problems, and fatigue.
Vitamin B1 deficiency causes hair loss and white/gray hair.

A higher degree of deficiency may lead to nervousness, sensitivity, poor mental and nervous coordination, loss of weight and muscular and general weakness.

In severe deficiency with the setting in of Beriberi and/or wernicke's encephalopathy, neurodegeneration, wasting, neuro sensitivity and death may result.

Vitamin B1 benefits for skin care, sensitivity and skin health

Vitamin B1 is very important for the healthy maintenance of the hair, clear and youthful skin, sensitivity and eyes. Thiamine is involved in many functions connected with nervous system and also in the formation of nerve fibres. Our skin has millions of nerve endings for varied sensory purposes. Damage to the nerves leads to reduced or loss of skin sensitivity.

In some cases hyper sensitivity of skin may occur with pin and needle sensation in the skin and tingling sensations in the hands and legs. The deficiency of vitamin B1 causes sensitivity of the skin, teeth, gums and cheek. Cracks also may appear on the lips with high skin sensitivity. As deficiency of vitamin B1 causes anemia and reduction in blood supply to the scalp, hair fall, premature graying of hair and poor growth of hair are experienced.

Thiamine 3D view (enlarge)

Toxicity of vitamin B1

Thiamine toxicity is rare as it is water soluble, in excess, it is excreted in urine. Very high doses of thiamine can interfere with insulin and thyroid production. In rare cases, thiamine has caused anaphylactic shock when high doses were given intravenously. Rare symptoms of overdose are hyper sensitivity, high blood pressure, palpitation, insomnia, nervousness and skin eruptions.

Food sources of vitamin B1

Thiamine is found in a wide variety of foods. Many varieties of seeds, bran of wheat and rice, liver, seafood, egg, yeast, oatmeal and fruits like oranges are good food sources of vitamin B1. High value vitamin B1 food are liver and baker's yeast.

For related information on skin inflammation (dermatitis), white spots and skin sensitivity read the following posts.

1. The wonder super food spirulina for skin care
2. The wonder super food olive oil for skin care

Vitamin B6 ( pyridoxine, Pyridoxal phosphate, pyridoxamine) deficiency can cause skin inflammation (dermatitis)

Vitamin B6 is water soluble and its active form is called Pyridoxal phosphate. Its other active forms are pyridoxine and pyridoxamine.

Vitamin B6 is very much required for many metabolic activities. Pyridoxal phosphate is required in amino acid metabolism from their synthesis to their breakdown. This vitamin also helps in conversion of glycogen into glucose. It has a major role in hemoglobin synthesis, gene expression, histamine synthesis and neurotransmitter synthesis.

Vitamin B6 is needed for synthesis of more than 100 enzymes involved in protein metabolism. Hemoglobin within red blood cells carries oxygen to tissues. Our body needs vitamin B6 to make hemoglobin. Vitamin B6 also helps increase the amount of oxygen carried by hemoglobin. Vitamin B6 deficiency causes vitamin B6 deficiency anemia which is similar to iron deficiency anemia.

It helps in healthy maintenance of lymph glands and helps in the production of white blood cells. Vitamin B6 increases antibody production and increases our immune response. Nutritional supplementation with high dose vitamin B6 and magnesium is claimed to reduce the symptoms of autism. Monitored administration of vitamin B6, in pregnancy is found to reduce nausea and morning sickness.

Deficiency of vitamin B6 causes

The deficiency of this vitamin alone is usually uncommon. It usually occurs in association with deficiency of other vitamins of vitamin B complex. The main causes of vitamin B6 deficiency are poor nutritive quality of food and reduced ability in absorption of nutrients. The elderly people and alcoholics may have the risk of deficiency of this vitamin. Pyroluria is one result of its deficiency. Dermatitis (skin inflammation), ulcers, angular cheilitis, conjunctivitis and neuropathy are some of the symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency.

Vitamin B6 for skin care and skin health

Among the remedies for dermatitis, vitamin B6 is a good for treatment of skin inflammation. Seborrhoeic dermatitis skin inflammation and skin eruptions are clinical signs and symptoms of the deficiency of vitamin B6. Angular cheilitis, deep crack and split in the corners of the mouth, can be caused by vitamin B6 deficiency. Vitamin B6 deficiency causes glossitis, an inflammation of the tongue, causing tongue to swell and change its colour to dark red.

Vitamin B6 deficiency causes skin inflammation(dermatitis)
Vitamin B6 deficiency can cause angular chelitis (split and inflammation of the skin at the corner of the mouth)
Vitamin B6 deficiency also causes dandruff, hair loss, dry and scaly skin with inflammation, acne, psoriasis and eczema. These conditions of skin inflammation are due to causes and effects of vitamin B6 deficiency like reduced oxygen and nutrients supplies to the skin and reduced production of body enzymes for many body functions.

Toxicity of vitamin B6

Excess of this vitamin can cause vitamin B6 toxicity and result in nerve damage. However this condition is reversible when the supplement is stopped. Neuropathy and imbalances in the nervous system's activity have been shown to result as vitamin B6 side effects from high over dose of supplemental vitamin B6.

Food sources of vitamin B6

Good vitamin B6 foods are fortified cereals, potato, banana, bell peppers, mushrooms, mustard greens, asparagus, garlic, cauliflower, cabbage, celery, turnip greens, spinach,tuna, cod and trout. Vitamin B6 food sources include beans, meat, poultry, fish, sunflower seeds, tomato, avocado, whole flour of wheat, walnuts, soybeans, fruits and vegetables. In cooking and in storage the vitamin may be lost to great extent.

Recommended dietary daily allowances of vitamin B6 are as follows

Infants and children

newborn to 12 months: 100 micrograms - 500 micrograms

one year to eight years: 500 micrograms - 600 micrograms

9 years to 13 years: one milligram

Teenagers and adults

14 years to 50 years: males 1.3 milligrams; females 1.2 milligrams

Above 51 years: males 1.7 milligrams; females 1.5 milligrams

pregnant women: 1.9 milligrams

Lactating mothers: 2 milligrams

For related information on skin inflammation (dermatitis), white spots and skin sensitivity read the following posts.

1. Vitamin B1 deficiency causes skin sensitivity
2. Folic acid (vitamin B9) deficiency causes dermatitis( skin inflammation)
3. Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) deficiency causes white spots on the skin

For further skin care tips and information read the following posts.

1. The wonder super food spirulina for skin care
2. The wonder super food olive oil for skin care

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Vitamin B complex tones up skin health

VITAMIN B COMPLEX
 The B vitamins are eight in number and are water-soluble vitamins.
They are dispersed through out the body and play important roles in cell metabolism.
Historically, the B vitamins were once referred and classified as vitamin B.
Later on research showed that they are distinct vitamins with different chemical make up but often coexist in the same foods.
Vitamin B complex benefits for skin care and skin health
:Supplements containing all eight of them are generally referred to as a vitamin B complex. Individual B vitamin supplements are referred to by the specific name of each vitamin (e.g. B1, B2, B3 etc ).
They are listed below with the details of their chemical components.
  Vitamin B1(thiamine)
Vitamin B2(riboflavin)
Vitamin B3 (niacin, includes nicotinic acid and nicotinamide)
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine,pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine)
Vitamin B7 (biotin, also known as vitamin H)
Vitamin B9 (folic acid)
Vitamin B12 (various cobalamins; commonly cyanocobalamin in vitamin supplements)
B vitamins are essential nutrients for variety of bodily functions like growth, function, disease resistance etc... They play a major role in the enzymatic activities that regulate chemical reactions in the body, turning food into energy and other needed substances.
They promote growth by helping cell division . Supporting and increasing the rate of metabolism, toning up skin and muscle, enhancing immunity, enhancing the functioning of the nervous system and promoting the growth of Red blood cells and hence preventing anemia are the known functions of B vitamins.
  Deficiency 
B vitamins are water soluble and are to be replenished daily as in excess they are excreted in urine. Deficiency of certain B vitamins may cause anemia, tiredness, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, depression, muscle cramps, respiratory infections, hair loss, eczema, poor growth in children, and birth defects in the fetuses of pregnant women.
Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding require more folic acid as the development of brain in a child depends very much upon its availability in sufficient amounts right from conception to three years of age.
  Sources 
Vegetables, fruits, liver oils, liver, fish, meat, grain products and yeast. Nutritionists recommend that adults over the age of 50 take B vitamin supplements as its deficiency is common in this age group.

All the vitamin of vitamin B complex have immense effect on the maintenance of skin health.
These vitamins make the skin firm, youthful, glossy and protect it from blemishes and diseases. The deficiency of B vitamins can give rise to a myriad of skin problems.
The deficiency of vitamin B complex causes skin diseases like dermatitis (skin inflammation with itch and pain), Cheilosis (cracking of lips and chapping of lips), Skin sensitivity, glossitis (swollen tongue), seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff), angular cheilitis (cracks on the corner of mouth), acne and pimples, white spots on the skin (due to loss of melanin pigment), hair fall and hair loss and skin cancer.

visit http://www.thedynamicnature.com/vitamins/vitamin%20B%20complex.html for more information.