Top 10 Vitamins: Role in Muscle Metabolism for B12 and B6

B Vitamins and their role in muscle metabolism from a bodybuilders perspective is a great article co-written by an assistant professor in Georgia Southern University's graduate health science program who is also a former body builder and one of his graduate students. Although the article is written from a body builders perspective, the information is written so that any athlete can understand the importance of the vitamins, especially the B family, in their role in energy metabolism.

One of the opening paragraphs in this article states: 'It's sometimes easy to forget that the cells in our bodies, particularly muscle cells, rely on certain biochemical reactions for proper metabolism, growth and maintenance. These reactions, in turn, depend upon specific vitamins to help catalyze, or facilitate, their actions.'  Vitamins and minerals, although not directly an energy source, are responsible for the energy nutrients (carbs, fats, and proteins) to do their work and if one vitamin is deficient, energy can be altered.

Specific to Cobalamin (Vitamin B12), the authors write "Although the functions of vitamin B12 are numerous, those important to bodybuilders include carbohydrate metabolism and maintenance of nervous system tissue (the spinal cord and nerves that carry signals from the brain to muscle tissues). Stimulation of muscles via nerves is a critical step in the contraction, coordination and growth of muscles.'

Specific to Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6), the authors write 'Protein metabolism, growth and carbohydrate utilization are all made possible in part by the presence of vitamin B6. Like Thiamine, studies on Pyridoxine in athletic performance show a definite increased need for athletes and possible performance enhancement from supplementation.'
      Vitamin B6 is tied directly to protein intake. The more protein you eat, the more B6 you will need. 

Vitamins are the forgotten black sheep of the 'energy' family and if you are one who doesn't focus on vitamin intake I urge you to read this article in its entirety. No matter the sport or exercise you enjoy doing, the information will be helpful to your performance.