Vitamins B6 and B12: Power Vitamins

In the world of micronutrients we are all familiar with the chewable Flinstone vitamins our parents would give us, we all know about he so familiar vitamin C (especially when we are feeling like we are sick) and we all know how calcium is good for our bones. However, those paying attention to the sports world over the past couple years have heard of this little B vitamins called B6 and B12, and this is what interested me about this nutrient. The most recent story involving vitamins B6 and B12 was centered around Olympic sprinter and world record holder Justin Gatlin who tested positive for a banned substance. Gatlin claimed that he thought the injection he received was a B12 shot rather that the performance-enhancing drug that he tested positive for.
So what is vitamin B12 and B6, and what does it do that high profile athletes would be taking it, or even “confusing” it with steroids? B vitamins are water soluble vitamins that are used to help convert protein and carbs to energy, manage the release of glucose from glycogen, and are the necessary for the normal function of the brain, nervous system and blood formation.
According to "Body, Mind, and the B Vitamins" by Ruth Adams and Frank Murray irritability and grumpiness are symptoms of a Vitamin B deficiency. B12 shots are emerging as a new fad in energy boosts, as opposed to caffeine. This vitamin is gaining favor with many people on the go such as actors, politicians and have long been in use by major league baseball players who were in need of an energy boost during the long, grueling season since amphetamines or “greenies” had been banned several years ago. In fact, researchers at Oregon State University found that athletes with low intake of Vitamin B could not perform at the same rate as their Vitamin B rich counter parts during high intensity work-outs.

Works Cited:

• Wikipedia, B Vitamins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_vitamins)
• MD Sport- Sport Nutrition, Vitamins and Minerals (http://www.medicdirectsport.com/sportsnutrition/default.asp?step=4&pid=90)
• Health Mad, B12 Shots: the Newest energy Booster (http://www.healthmad.com/Health/B12-Shots:-The-Newest-Energy-Booster.16580)
• About.com:Sports Medicine, B Vitamins and Athletic Performance (http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/sportsnutrition/a/B_Vitamins.htm)