Difference Between Vitamin B12 and B Complex

In this article, you will learn the difference between vitamin B12 and B complex.

Minerals and vitamins play an important part in the health of a person, along with regular exercise and a healthy diet. Most of the vitamins we take via food do not reach the needed dosage of the body, and must be consumed with supplements. In order to understand the essential vitamins our body needs, it is vital to know the detail on each.

Many people tend to get confused between vitamin B12 and vitamin B-complex. Although the body  needs a less amount of the B12 micronutrient, understanding about it as a counterpart of the B vitamin is important.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a compound which contains the mineral cobalt, and hence, it is also referred to as cobalamin. Like the other B vitamins, B12 is vital for normal development and growth, and it aids the body in deriving energy from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. It also combines with the folic acid in the body to produces genetic material, red blood cells, and the lining of the nerve cells of the brain and nervous system. It also contributes to all the cellular metabolism pathways within the human body as it aids in synthesizing and regulating DNA and the metabolism of fatty acids and amino acids. The body is capable of storing 5 years worth of B12 vitamins, depending on the health and diet of an individual. Vitamin B12 is one of the eight B vitamin complexes. This compound is the largest and most complex in structure among all the vitamins. Rich sources of  B12 are animal derived foods, like fish, meat, eggs, liver, shellfish, milk, and dairy products. Deficiency of B12 can lead to health problems like anemia, depression, and nerve damage.

Vitamin B-Complex

Vitamin B-complex is a group of 8 vitamins, in which B12 is included. The other seven vitamin in B-complex includes B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin or nicotinic acid), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), and B9 (folic acid). The B-complex vitamins are significant for the cell metabolism of a human body. B vitamins are water-soluble essential organic compounds. Each B vitamin plays a different role in the human body; like vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B5 form co-enzymes and are involved in energy production needed for electron transport chain, the citric acid cycle, and the oxidation of fatty acids with carbohydrates; and vitamin B6 cofactors in the amino acid metabolism; while B7 is involved in the metabolism of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. B9 acts mainly as a co-enzyme and aids in cell division, along with neural tube development and red blood cell production. Rich sources of B-complex include legumes, potatoes, whole grains, bananas, tempeh, chili peppers, yeast, and molasses. Other sources include turkey, lover, tuna, and whole grain cereals. B-complex is needed for healthy skin, good eyesight and neurological functioning.

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