B Family Map

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cofactor · 1

Vitamin B12
Once folate has turned a one-carbon unit into the methyl form, the only way that methyl group can be passed on is through an enzyme that depends on vitamin B12. Without enough B12, methyl-folate gets stuck: folate in the blood looks fine, yet the building blocks for DNA run out. This is called the methyl trap, and it is why folate can hide the anemia of B12 deficiency but cannot prevent the nerve damage.

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Enzyme helpers, not fuel

EVIDENCEGUIDE 9

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B vitamins are often called "energy vitamins", but they supply no energy themselves. They are more like detachable tool heads for enzymes. Along the lines that process sugar, fat and amino acids, each machine (an enzyme) needs a tool head made from one of the B vitamins before it can start. If one is missing, that machine stands empty-handed and the whole line backs up.

There are eight members: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12, plus choline as an honorary member. They count as one family not only because they all dissolve in water and often come in the same foods, but because they make each other and pass work along: several members can only be fitted into their working form with the help of another member. When one delivers late, the ones downstream stop too.

All the B vitamins dissolve in water, and apart from B12 the body stores little of them. That is not a reason to take large doses: as long as you eat enough overall and eat a varied diet, deficiency is uncommon.

Educational content, not medical advice — consult a clinician.

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B Family Map

Story

Connected to · 1

cofactor · 1

Vitamin B12
Once folate has turned a one-carbon unit into the methyl form, the only way that methyl group can be passed on is through an enzyme that depends on vitamin B12. Without enough B12, methyl-folate gets stuck: folate in the blood looks fine, yet the building blocks for DNA run out. This is called the methyl trap, and it is why folate can hide the anemia of B12 deficiency but cannot prevent the nerve damage.

Read full story

Stop 1/5

Enzyme helpers, not fuel

EVIDENCEGUIDE 9

READ THE ORIGINAL

B vitamins are often called "energy vitamins", but they supply no energy themselves. They are more like detachable tool heads for enzymes. Along the lines that process sugar, fat and amino acids, each machine (an enzyme) needs a tool head made from one of the B vitamins before it can start. If one is missing, that machine stands empty-handed and the whole line backs up.

There are eight members: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12, plus choline as an honorary member. They count as one family not only because they all dissolve in water and often come in the same foods, but because they make each other and pass work along: several members can only be fitted into their working form with the help of another member. When one delivers late, the ones downstream stop too.

All the B vitamins dissolve in water, and apart from B12 the body stores little of them. That is not a reason to take large doses: as long as you eat enough overall and eat a varied diet, deficiency is uncommon.

Educational content, not medical advice — consult a clinician.