Water-Soluble Vitamins
The Pages (9)
Vitamin C
Ascorbic acid, named for scurvy: immune defense, collagen building and antioxidant recycling.
Read the deep dive →Vitamin B12
Cobalamin, the largest vitamin: for nerves, red blood cells and methylation.
Read the deep dive →Vitamin B3
Niacin in its three forms, all turned into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) for energy and DNA repair.
Read the deep dive →Vitamin B6
Builds neurotransmitters and hemoglobin; the one B vitamin that harms nerves at long-term high doses.
Read the deep dive →Vitamin B9
Folate, from the Latin for leaf: for DNA synthesis, cell division and fetal development.
Read the deep dive →Vitamin B2
Riboflavin, the yellow vitamin: for cellular energy and antioxidant recycling.
Read the deep dive →Vitamin B1
Thiamine, the first B vitamin discovered: for energy metabolism and the nervous system.
Read the deep dive →Vitamin B5
Pantothenic acid, found in almost every food; needed to make coenzyme A.
Read the deep dive →Vitamin B7
Biotin, the “beauty vitamin” for hair, skin and nails, and a cofactor in metabolism.
Read the deep dive →The eight B vitamins and vitamin C. Not stored to any real extent, so they need regular intake and excess is largely excreted — with the notable exception of B6, where long-term high doses cause nerve damage. Deficiency shows up faster here than anywhere else in nutrition.