Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6

3. Vitamin B3 (Niacin, nicotinic acid, PP)

It is water soluble and durable against heat, light, alkalinity, acidity and oxidation. Niacin is needed for carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism.

Its deficiency results in;

• disorders of the nervous system and abnormal behaviour
• disorders of the digestive system
• sores in the skin

This three disorders are all symptoms of the disease pellagra.

Niacin forms the prosthetic group of NAD and NADP
(Nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide-phosphate) and is found in liver, kidney, heart, meat, fish, nuts, yeast, milk, eggs and dried legumes.

4. Vitamin B5 (Pentatonic acid)

It is involved in carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism. Its deficiency results in sores of the skin, color change and loss of hair and disorders of the nervous system. Since many food products are enriched with vitamin B5, deficiency symptoms are rarely seen.

5. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

It is especially seen in infants fed only on ready prepared baby food. It is required for carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism and forhemoglobin synthesis. Its deficiency causes disorders of the central nervous system. Pain in the skin and anaemia are also observed. 

Vitamin B6 is susceptible to heat and its structure is easily deformed at high temperatures. It is abundant in dairy produce, meat, liver, cereals and legumes.