The Importance of Micronutrients for Energy (Part 1)

Micronutrients, though required in smaller quantities compared to macronutrients, play a pivotal role in maintaining our overall health and energy levels. These essential vitamins and minerals act as catalysts in numerous biochemical reactions that control our body’s energy production processes. Understanding their importance can help us appreciate the profound impact they have on our vitality and well-being. This column looks at the role of B Vitamins in helping our energy processes. The next edition looks the role of Minerals in our energy processes.

Note: There are 4 general levels of nutrients:

Inadequate levels: Intake is so low that they cause specific diseases.
Sub-optimum levels: At this level, there are no initial health problems but over time they will cause diseases
Optimum: The intake needed for the body to perform at its best.
Toxic levels: The levels are so high that they can cause disease.
Fairly obviously, we want optimum levels for optimum health. Taking a broad-spectrum multi-nutritional supplement like Cell eXtra will help maintain micronutrients at optimum levels.

B Vitamins: The Energy Catalysts (needed for chemical reactions)

• Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Thiamine is needed to convert carbohydrates into energy. It plays a critical role in glucose metabolism and is vital for the functioning of the nervous system and muscle tissues.
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Riboflavin is involved in energy production by aiding the electron transport chain, a key component of cellular respiration. It also helps in the metabolism of fats. This is especially important for those who have low carbohydrate diets…like me!
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Niacin is necessary for the conversion of food into energy. It is a component of NAD and NADP, which are coenzymes involved in cellular metabolism and oxidation-reduction reactions.
• Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): This vitamin is a part of Coenzyme A, which is essential for fatty acid synthesis and energy production through the Krebs Cycle.
• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): Pyridoxine is involved in amino acid metabolism and the synthesis of neurotransmitters, which are crucial for brain function and energy regulation.
• Vitamin B9 (Folate): Folate is necessary for DNA synthesis and repair, cell division, and growth. It also helps in the conversion of carbohydrates into energy and supports the functioning of the nervous system.
• Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin): Cobalamin is necessary for the formation of red blood cells and DNA synthesis. It also helps maintain nerve cells and is involved in the metabolism of fatty acids and amino acids.
• Biotin (sometimes called B7): Biotin plays a role in the metabolism of fatty acids, amino acids, and glucose. It is essential for maintaining steady energy levels. Like B5, Biotin is needed to get energy from fats, important for those who get most of their energy from fats in their diet…like me!
• Choline: Choline is essential for the synthesis of acetylcholine; a neurotransmitter involved in memory and muscle control and also plays a role in lipid metabolism and liver function.

What levels of these should daily supplement have?

A small number of people need to take high levels of B vitamins. For example, those with neurological problems should have much higher intake of Vitamin B12. For most people, the correct B vitamin intake from a supplement should try to replicate the levels of a perfect diet.

I think the level of B vitamins in some B complexes are too high. I see little point in adding to body stress by having to remove high levels of B Vitamin that are clearly not needed. The levels on B vitamins in Cell eXtra fall right in the middle of those needed for optimum energy production.

Please contact me if you need personalised advice or if you have questions.

As always, feel free to contact me for personalised advice.

John Arts (Adv.Dip.Nut.Med)
Abundant Health
john@abundant.co.nz
0800 423559
Int’l +64 7 5722343

John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423559 or email john@abundant.co.nz.  Join his all new newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz.