Water-soluble vitamins

There are 9 water-soluble vitamins in our bodies 8 of which are B vitamins and the other vitamin C.

Water-soluble vitamins dissolve easily in water and, in general, are readily excreted from the body to the degree that urinary output is a strong predictor of vitamin consumption.

Unlike the fat-soluble vitamins these vitamins generally not stored in the body. For this reason, you should try to get them regularly from your diet.

Water-soluble vitamins List

Vitamin B constitutes a collection of water-soluble B vitamins including,

B1 Thiamine

Role: Serves as a coenzyme in the body. Keeping the nervous system healthy and it helps break down and convert nutrients into energy and supports sugar.
Food: Fruit, Dried Fruit, Peas, Nuts, Seeds, Hazelnuts, Oats, sunflower seeds, Macadamia nuts, Lentils, Black Beans, Edamame, Asparagus
Illness: Low thiamine intake has been associated with diseases like glaucoma, depression, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia, Chronic Fatigue, Inflammatory bowel
Diseases: Beriberi – caused by a vitamin B-1 deficiency
Wernicke-Korsakoff found in chronic alcoholics
Note: Tea and coffee contain thiaminases – enzymes that destroy thiamine.

B2 Riboflavin

Role: Functions as a coenzyme. Required for conversion of vitamin B6 to its active form, and conversion of tryptophan to vitamin B3 niacin.
keep skin, eyes and the nervous system healthy
Food: Rice, Almonds, Yeast extract, leafy vegetables, broccoli, legumes, mushrooms
Illness: Low B2 migraines, blood pressure
Diseases: ariboflavinosis

B3 Niacin – Nicotinic Acid and Nicotinamide

Role: We can produce ourselves from another nutrient amino acid tryptophan. This is also a coenzyme.
functions in the digestive system, skin and nervous system
Food: Portabella mushrooms, brown rice, peanuts, sunflower seeds, avocados, green peas, sweet potatoes, avocados, Yeast extract
Illnesses: cholesterol, cognition, depression
Diseases: pellagra

B5 Pantothenic Acid

Role: required for the formation of coenzyme A. Maintaining a healthy nervous system, eyes, skin, hair and liver. Red Blood Cells
Food: found in virtually all food – Sunflower seeds, Porridge, Brocolli, brown rice, shiitake Mushrooms, root vegetables and whole grains

B6 Pyridoxine

Role: B6 is required for the synthesis of pyridoxal phosphate a coenzyme.
In the liver, B6 converts into pyridoxal 5-phosphate the active form of the vitamin.
Allow the body to use and store energy from protein and carbohydrates in food and form haemoglobin. Supporting the formation of white blood cells and synthesize neurotransmitters.
Food: vegetables, soya beans, peanuts, potatoes

B7 Biotin, Coenzyme R, & Vitamin H

Role: Nourish their hair, nails and skin, help the body break down fat.
When digested they release a compound called biocytin The enzyme biotinidase then breaks biocytin into amino acids, biotin and lysine.
Food: Walnuts, peanuts, mushrooms, cauliflower

B9: Folic Acid, Folate, folacin, vitamin B9

Role: form healthy red blood cells

Food: broccoli, brussels sprouts, leafy green vegetables such as cabbage and spinach, peas, chickpeas, edamame, peanuts
Diseases: anaemia

B12 Cyanocobalamine

Role: Making red blood cells and keeping the nervous system healthy and using folic acid
Food: yeast extract (such as Marmite as fortified) but no other plantbased way of getting Vitamin B12