Vitamin B has many functions in preventing disease and illness, some of vitamin B uses are listed below.

Acne and Vitamin B

Vitamins B5 and B6 help heal acne. These vitamins help reduce inflammation in the small blisters on the skin, repair the skin tissue, and fight bacteria. These vitamins are particularly helpful in treating premenstrual blemishes.

Asthma and Vitamin B

Asthma is an inflammation of the airways caused by an allergic reaction. Some common triggers of asthma include dust mites, animal dander, mould spores, and pollen.

Vitamin B6 aids the production of antibodies that help ward off allergies. It also reinforces the immune system enabling it to fend off the allergens.

Aphthous ulcers

Aphthous ulcers are painful little ulcers that appear on the gums, sides of cheeks, inside the lips or on the tongue. The exact cause of these ulcers is not known. It is generally believed that they are caused by an unhealthy diet, a weak immune system and stress.

Vitamins B1, B2, and B6 deficiency may be a factor responsible for Aphthous ulcers. These vitamins help maintain healthy tissue and mucous membranes.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is characterised by swollen, soft, and red gums that bleed easily. The deposits of plaque along the gums cause this condition.
Vitamin B6 may help by reducing inflammation and regenerating healthy gum tissue but it cannot cure gingivitis. Dental scaling, cleaning, regular brushing and flossing can help cure the condition.

Osteoarthritis

• Simply called arthritis is an age related disorder but can also affect younger people. It is caused by the wear and tear of a joint.
• Vitamin B3 can help by increasing joint flexibility and enhancing muscle strength. The vitamin accomplishes this by promoting blood circulation to the affected joint and by regenerating new and healthy tissue.

Diabetes

• There are two types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes genetically related and affects children and young adults. Type 2 diabetes only affects adults and is linked to obesity.
• Untreated diabetes can lead to heart attack, kidney damage, stroke and loss of vision.

Vitamin B7 is often prescribed for diabetes as it helps the body to metabolise glucose. B12 vitamin helps by preventing nerve damage in diabetics.

Depression

• Depression literally means ‘bad mood’ but refers to depression.

Vitamin B6 which is needed for proper functioning of nerve impulses in the brain may help alleviate depression. Vitamin B9 also helps because it helps promote brain health and normal nerve transmission.

Fibrocystic disease

Fibrocystic disease affects women between the ages of 25 and 50 and is characterised by the presence of one or more lumps in one or both breasts. These lumps are benign and sometimes painful.
Vitamin B6 helps alleviate the symptoms of fibrocystic disease. Because of its diuretic properties it keeps the breasts from fluid retention. It also helps protect against the effects of excess oestrogen.

Cervical dysplasia

Cervical dysplasia is a condition affecting women between the ages of 25 and 35. It is detected through a Cervical Smear test. In some cases, cervical dysplasia progresses to cervical cancer – it is therefore important that it is picked up early and treated appropriately.

Recent research has found that vitamin B9 prevents cervical cells from becoming cancerous in women taking oral contraceptives. This is so because folic acid aids the body in creating healthy DNA and RNA – the genetic material that controls the repair and growth of all cells.

Dysmenorrhoea

• Dysmenorrhoea is excessive pain during menstruation. It is normal to experience mild to moderate pain during menstruation. However, sometimes the uterus contracts more than normal during menstruation and that results in severe pain. This is thought to be the result of higher levels of prostaglandin hormones

Vitamin B3, taken in large quantities, can help relieve menstrual cramps. This is because of niacin’s role in improving blood circulation, which in turn relaxes the uterine muscles.

Menopause

Menopause occurs between the ages of 40 and 60 when women no longer menstruate. Some women experience hot flashes, water retention, headache, sleep disturbances, depression, irritability, vaginal dryness, rapid heartbeat and many other symptoms while others do not have any problems.

Several women take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) menopause. Vitamin B complex helps whether or not a woman is taking HRT. The B complex vitamins protect from heart attack and stroke, the two prevalent dangers among post-menopausal women.

Premenstrual syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome of PMS is a condition that affects many women a few days before menstruation. Symptoms include depression, sore breasts, fluid retention, anxiety, fatigue, nausea and irritability
Research has shown that vitamin B6 is instrumental in diminishing the effects of oestrogen – an excess of oestrogen initiates PMS symptoms.