When was the last time you needed any clinical laboratory service? It's been ages since I needed one and found out that I lack the magic of Bs (vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, B-complex, etc.) in my system.

And now that my bottle of vitamin Bs is almost empty, I had to do a research as I wanted to have them in natural form. Here's what I got from howStuffworks.com:

B1 (Thiamine) can be found in whole-grain cereals, bread, red meat, egg yolks, green leafy vegetables, legumes, sweet corn, brown rice, berries, yeast, the germ and husks of grains and nuts.

B2 (Riboflavin). Now, take note of this if you're overloading yourself with carbo. Riboflavin is important in the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It is found in whole-grain products, milk, meat, eggs, cheese and peas. Excessive intake of this could affect your liver and kidney.

B3 (Niacin) is found in protein-rich food such as meats, fish, brewer's yeast, milk, eggs, legumes, potatoes and peanuts. Niacin can also be prescribed in higher doses as a drug to help lower cholesterol.

B6 (Pyridoxine) is needed in the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It is also used in the production of red blood cells as well as in the biochemical reactions involved in the metabolism of amino acids (the building blocks of protein). Pyridoxine is found in many foods, including liver, organ meats, brown rice, fish, butter, wheat germ, whole grain cereals, soybeans and many others.

B12 (Cyanocobalamin) is necessary for processing carbohydrates, proteins and fats and to help make all of the blood cells in our bodies. It acts as a coenzyme in the synthesis and repair of DNA. Vitamin B12 is not found in any plant food sources and is produced almost solely by bacteria. Rich sources of B12 include liver, meat, egg yolk, poultry and milk.

B9 (Folic Acid) is one of the B-complex vitamins that interacts with vitamin B12 for the synthesis of DNA, which is important for all cells in the body. Folic acid, in combination with vitamin B12 and Vitamin C, is necessary for the breakdown of proteins and the formation of hemoglobin, a compound in red blood cells that transports oxygen and carbon dioxide. Folic acid is found in yeast, liver, green vegetables, whole grain cereals and many other foods. Folic acid is present in nearly all natural foods but can be damaged, or weakened, during cooking. Note to the (first time) expectant moms (hello there, friends!): The need for folic acid increases during pregnancy, due to high requirements of the vitamin from the fetus. Well, I know your OBs would advise you about these. *hehe*

I therefore conclude, I should get my dose of whole-grain cereals, bread, red meat, egg yolks, green leafy vegetable, liver, and a lot more from the list.

The magic of Bs and the power of zzzZZZs could put me away from the smell of the clinic.