We are often required to consume vitamins in small quantities for performing normal body functions, as our own body fails to synthesize in adequate amounts. Vitamins are often found to work as cofactors that help the enzymes to perform their own work of facilitating body metabolism. Thus, vitamins are also known as coenzyme vitamins. Most of these coenzyme vitamins and direct precursor of coenzyme vitamins are present in the foods that we consume on a daily basis in small, but significant quantities.
Some of the manufacturers have created supplements, which provide larger amounts of vitamins. These manufacturers have actually synthesized similar vitamins that are essential to facilitate the metabolism by liver. Some of the common coenzyme vitamins are, Vitamin B1 as thiamin diphosphate (or cocarboxylase) and Vitamin B6 as pyridoxal 5’-phosphate. Most of these synthesized forms of vitamins are quite stable and can be obtained at low costs. But, these vitamin supplements are not immediately ready to be used by the body and they require certain conversion within the body. The body needs to convert the vitamin by adding a phosphate group, commonly adenosine triphosphate, because it cannot use the directly synthesized vitamins.
This conversion (synthetic vitamins into coenzyme vitamins) processed by the liver is not too difficult for healthy people. However, the body of unhealthy individuals, which lack sufficient quantity of nutrition. Often find it challenging to carry out the conversion task. But, as it is essential to convert the synthetic vitamins into the coenzyme forms for efficient functioning, more and more manufacturers are looking to create stabilized forms of active coenzyme vitamins or bio-identical vitamins.
Even if these bio-identical vitamins are more expensive, but, you can afford it as you only need to consume them in small quantities, as there will be no in vivo losses involved during this conversion procedure. As the coenzyme forms are used, the supplement formulae often becomes more effective compared to the conventional ones. Thus, you basically get more effectiveness without paying much higher costs.
Most commonly available supplements
- Vitamin B1 is commonly sold as Thiamine Hydrochloride, which is usually formed from coal tar derivative and is processed with ammonia and other chemicals.
- Vitamin B2 is generally used by Riboflavin 5 Phosphate also called flavinmononucleotide. Vitamin B2 is essential for the function in the respiratory chain and for the conversion of tryptophan to niacin.
- Vitamin B3 is generally used in the form of Niacinamide. Manufacturers generally avoid using the Niacin process, as it may cause gastrointestinal upset.
- Vitamin B5 is sold in the form of calcium pantothenic, which aids in the biological activities.
- Vitamin B6 is commonly used as pyridoxine hydrochloride, in the nutritional supplements.
- Vitamin B12 usually includes both methylcobalamin as well as adenosylcobalamin. Methylcobalamin is an active coenzyme form, which is essential for the biological activities, while adenosylcobalamin contributes to produce energy in the citric acid cycle.
You can consume nutritional supplements for obtaining better and more effective results. You will get all the benefits immediately after consuming and will no longer have to wait for the conversion.
References
http://www.dadamo.com/txt/index.pl?1026
http://www.metabolics.com/blog/vitamin-b-complex/
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