To B or not to B? The B vitamins and their influence on the body's largest organ
Abstract
The skin as the body's largest organ plays a big role in each of our lives. While there are a myriad of skincare products for the health and beauty of the skin, the secret to healthy skin could be right in front of us, specifically on our dinner plates. The key to healthy skin could be found in the consumption of the B vitamins. The B vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folate, and cobalamin, all play a role in skin health. Thiamine has an influence on collagen during wound healing . Riboflavin deficiency has been found to slow wound healing and lead to diminished maturity of skill collagen. There is also a possible role in development of skin tumors during riboflavin deficiency. Niacin deficiency has been shown to lead to sun sensitivity and an increased prevalence of skin cancers. An 8-week study found that a supplement of pantothenic acid led to a decrease in acne. Research has also shown that B5 supplementation can help with wound healing. Pyridoxine deficiency has shown a possible link with skin hypersensitivity. Biotin deficiency has been shown to increase the occurrence of skin lesions and can cause erythematous dermatitis. Folate has shown to have a possible link in the prevention of skin cancer and deficiency of the vitamin could result in dermatitis. Folate's connection with vitamin D could also play a role in skin pigmentation. Folic acid has also shown a possible benefit of reducing oxidative stress in the skin, thus reducing the presence of acne. Cobalamin excess has shown a possible link with acne. The B vitamins and their role in the skin could promote skin health under proper consumption.