Know Neurotropic Vitamins and Their Functions for Nerves

Have you known about neurotropic vitamins and their benefits for nerves? 

If your hands or feet have been experiencing cramping, numbness, tingling, pain, or muscle weakness lately, check your vitamin intake again. The reason is, that these various complaints can indicate peripheral nerve disorders due to neurotropic vitamin deficiency.

Neurotrophic vitamins are a group of vitamins consisting of vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), and vitamin B12 (cobalamin). Each vitamin has its own function, but all three are equally important for the health of the nervous system.

What are neurotrophic vitamins?

While almost all vitamins and minerals are beneficial for the health of the nervous system, neurotrophic vitamins have specific benefits for this system. Here are a series of functions for the health of your nerves:

1. Vitamin B1 (thiamine)

Read: 15 Signs of Vitamin B1 Deficiency, Pay Attention!

Adults over 14 years need 1.3 mg of vitamin B1 daily. The main function of vitamin B1 is to help cells convert carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy. The energy produced is then used to carry out various activities of all cells in the body. Especially the cells of the brain and nervous system.

As a neurotrophic vitamin, vitamin B1 functions as a protector from damage while supporting nerve cell activity. Lack of vitamin B1 will cause symptoms in the form of tingling, stinging or burning in the arms and legs, reduced reflex ability, and the body becoming lethargic.

You can meet the need for vitamin B1 by eating beef, beans, rice, and vegetables. To optimize your daily intake of vitamin B1, you can also take supplements or foods that have been fortified with this vitamin.

2. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

Read: Benefits of Vitamin B6 and Food Sources

Adults over the age of 14 are advised to consume 1.2 mg of vitamin B6 per day. Vitamin B6 has an important role in the production of neurotransmitters. 

Neurotransmitters are chemical compounds that function to carry, speed up, and balance the transmission of signals between several nerve cells or from nerve cells to body tissues.

This neurotrophic vitamin is also needed in the formation of myelin. Myelin is a protective sheath of nerve cells that can speed up signaling. If myelin is damaged, the signal transmission will be blocked and nerve cells can be damaged.

Nerve damage due to vitamin B6 deficiency is characterized by numbness, tingling, and balance disorders. This condition can be prevented by taking supplements or foods rich in vitamin B6 such as salmon, tuna, red meat, nuts, and bananas.

3. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)

Every day, men and women over the age of 14 need 2.4 mcg of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is needed to maintain normal nervous system function, helps the production of red blood cells, and forms DNA. Cell metabolism is also very dependent on vitamin B12 because this vitamin is needed in the formation of energy and fatty acids.

Like other neurotrophic vitamins, vitamin B12 deficiency can cause numbness and tingling, especially in the hands and feet. If this condition persists, vitamin B12 deficiency can get worse and lead to permanent damage to brain cells and the nervous system.

Vitamin B12 is found in fish, red meat, chicken, eggs, and milk and its derivatives. You can also meet the need for vitamin B12 by taking vitamin supplements.

Neurotropic vitamins in the form of vitamins B1, B6, and B12 have a very big role in maintaining the health of your nerves. Lack of intake of these three vitamins can cause disorders, even permanent nerve damage.

For those of you who often experience tingling, cramps, and numbness in the hands and feet, don't ignore these symptoms. To keep your nerves healthy and you can move smoothly, take neurotropic vitamin supplements that can maintain the health of your nerves.