Why it's critical to replenish those important B-vitamins

Low levels of B vitamins can increase the risk of stroke, cancer, and depression and as they are not stored in the body, we need to eat food rich in them daily

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B vitamins are vital for living a long and healthy life. Yet many of us are unaware of their importance and what we can do to ensure we consume enough of them. This puts us at risk of deficiency and can lead to serious health problems.

Kathryn Stewart, a registered dietitian at the Dublin Nutrition Centre, explains what makes up B vitamins. “There are eight of them — thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B6), biotin (B7), folate or folic acid, and B12,” she says.