A group of water soluble vitamins, the B-vitamins play important roles in cell metabolism. The B-vitamins were once thought to be a single vitamin. Later research showed that they are chemically distinct vitamins that frequently co-exist in the same foods. A supplement that contains all the 8 is referred to as vitamin B complex. Individual B vitamin supplements are referred to by the specific name of each vitamin.

Types of B vitamins

Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Vitamin B3 (niacin)
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Vitamin B7 (biotin)
Vitamin B9 (folic acid)
Vitamin B12 (various cobalamins)

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Women who suffer from gestational diabetes during pregnancy may no longer need to prick themselves with shots of insulin. They can now use an insulin pump.

“The insulin pump, which has been in use in India since the last 10 years, has not yet been used by pregnant women. There is a reason for this. Gestational diabetes, which occurs in pregnant women, usually subsides after delivery. Hence, most patients do not want to buy a Rs.2 lakh insulin pump for just nine months,” explained Dr. S.K. Wangnoo, senior consultant endrocrinologist and diabetologist at Apollo Hospitals, at a press conference here Wednesday.

“We at Apollo decided to give the machine on rent as part of a pilot project. We have enrolled 12 patients in the last six months as part of the project. They used the pump and did not have any complications,” he added.

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Washing your hands is the best way to prevent sickness. Soak your hands in hot water and scrub with soap under your nails to get rid of the germs.

Eat your way to a better IQ with these brain-boosting foods

Got a big exam coming up, a difficult problem to solve, or just fancy adding a few points to your IQ? Then try adding these foods to your shopping basket to give your brain a boost.

Brain boosting food 1: Oily fish

If you struggle to remember what day it is or what you had for dinner an hour ago, consider stocking up on the ultimate brain food, oily fish. Omega-3 fatty acids – found in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines – are invaluable for just about every part of our body, and it seems our brains are no different. Researchers from the University of Kuopio in Finland found that eating oily fish three times a week reduces the risk of brain problems by 26 per cent and prevents against memory loss.

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