Which of the following B group vitamins can be stored in our body?

UPUMS Nsg.Officer-2024

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Easy

Appeared in: UPUMS Nsg.Officer-2024

Explanation

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is a unique water-soluble vitamin because it is stored in the body in significant quantities.
The primary storage site for Vitamin B12 is the liver, which can hold enough reserves (approximately 2-3 mg) to last for 2 to 4 years.
This long-term storage is unlike other B vitamins, which are generally not stored and require regular dietary intake.

Option B: Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) is a classic water-soluble vitamin. The body does not store it in significant amounts, and any excess is rapidly excreted through urine.
Option C: Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) is also a water-soluble vitamin. Like other B vitamins (except B12), it is not stored long-term in the body, and surplus amounts are eliminated via the kidneys.
Option D: Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) is a water-soluble vitamin. Only very small amounts are stored, and any excess intake is quickly passed out of the body in the urine.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Storage capacity of water-soluble vitamins as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The large hepatic stores of Vitamin B12 have significant clinical implications. It means that symptoms of deficiency (e.g., megaloblastic anemia, neurological damage) may not appear for several years after the onset of a causative condition, such as pernicious anemia, gastrectomy, or adoption of a strict vegan diet.
Nurses should be aware of this long latency period when assessing patients at risk for B12 deficiency. A normal blood count today does not rule out a developing deficiency that will manifest years later.
What if? If a patient who underwent a total gastrectomy 6 months ago has a normal B12 level, the nurse should understand this is expected due to existing liver stores. The plan of care must still include lifelong B12 supplementation to prevent deficiency from developing 2-4 years later.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is the storage of B group vitamins.
Recall the general classification of vitamins into fat-soluble (A, D, E, K) and water-soluble (B-complex, C).
Remember the general rule: fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body (in fat and the liver), while water-soluble vitamins are generally not stored and are excreted in urine.
Crucially, recall the major exception to this rule within the B-complex group.
Identify Vitamin B12 as the unique water-soluble vitamin that is stored in the liver for an extended period.
Evaluate the options based on this knowledge to select the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 PATHOLOGY QUICK REVIEWBased on Harsh Mohan Textbook of PATHOLOGY p. 103-105

E6 textbook of Applied Biochemistry and Nutrition & DieteticsHarbans Lal (pp 26-464 of 479) p. 288-290