B vitamin

The B vitamins are a class of of water-soluble vitamins that play important roles in cell metabolism. Though these vitamins are chemically distinct, they often work together in metabolic pathways, especially within the mitochondria.

List of B vitamins

 * Vitamin B1 - Thiamine
 * Vitamin B2 - Riboflavin
 * Vitamin B3 - Niacin (nicotinic acid)
 * Vitamin B5 - Pantothenic Acid
 * Vitamin B6 - Pyridoxal-5'-Phosphate (PLP) (other forms include Pyridoxine and Pyridoxamine)
 * Vitamin B7 - Biotin
 * Vitamin B9 - Folate (other forms include Folic acid)
 * Vitamin B12 Cobalamin (other forms include hydroxocobalamin, cyanocobalamin or methylcobalamin)

Vitamin B Complex
A Vitamin B Complex is a nutritional supplement containing a variety of different B vitamins.

Importance to ME/CFS
A small study of chronic fatigue syndrome patients found below-normal levels of a number of B vitamins, including vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) and B9 (folate). | last4These levels were unlikely to be caused by deficiencies in diet. Vitamin B6 levels were particularly low.

High homocysteine may contribute to cognitive issues in ME/CFS and lowering it with vitamin B12 and folate may reduce symptoms

Notable studies

 * 1999, Vitamin B status in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (Full)