B Complex

WHAT IS A B-COMPLEX?

Did you know that B vitamins refer to a group of eight essential nutrients that play critical roles in your overall health and wellness? The B group of vitamins, B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate [folic acid]), and B12 (cobalamin), work synergistically with each other inside the body and are involved in a wide range of metabolic processes including; proper cell formation and function (including blood cells), helping extract energy from carbohydrates and fat, breaking down amino acids and transporting oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, supporting nerve function, liver function, and brain function, skin health, eye health, and ensuring proper fetal growth and development during pregnancy.

Unfortunately, according to Statistics Canada, there is a high prevalence of Canadian adults that have an inadequate intake of the B family of vitamins. In fact, over 10% of Canadians reportedly do no get enough niacin (B3), and riboflavin (B2), and slightly more, 11.4%, do not get enough thiamin (B1). In addition, 10-35% were shown to have inadequate intake of folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. Many factors can also increase the body’s needs for B vitamins, such as diet (the keto diet, veganism, vegetarianism), age, pregnancy & lactation, genetics, regular alcohol use, genetics, and medical conditions and medications.

While individual B vitamins can be purchased in isolated form, for longer-term use they are best supplemented as a complex featuring all 8 essential B vitamins. These complexes allow you to fully benefit from the many advantages to health that B vitamins offer, as well as help prevent throwing off balance, and/or depleting any of the other B’s.

BENEFITS of VITAMIN B COMPLEX

• Balances Moods
• Boosts Energy
• Supports Nervous System Health
  
  

WHO NEEDS A B-COMPLEX?

B-Complexes are often referred to as Stress Formulas because high-stress levels and associated lifestyle factors such as poor diet, reliance on sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and fast food can all deplete our B vitamins. As such, a quality B-Complex is ideal for anyone under intense, chronic, or acute stress.

B-Complex formulas are also frequently recommended to boost energy, protect neurological health, deterioration and neurotransmitter function, slow likelihood of anemia, protect the heart and prevent heart disease, as well as to help repair DNA and RNA for optimal cell health.

B-COMPLEX POTENCY, FORMS & FORMATS

B-Complex Potency

B complex blends abound and are typically offered in either 25 mg, 50 mg, or high potency 100 mg dosing. Because most of the B vitamins are water-soluble, they cannot be stored inside the body for later use like fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). As such, it's best to take your B complex formula in divided doses throughout the day. This will ensure all of your body's cells have a constant supply of essential B’s and will help maintain stable energy, brain function, and metabolism.

B-Complex Forms

B vitamins can come in a variety of different forms, each specific to the vitamin in question. Please refer to the B vitamin section you are curious about for further information on individual forms of B vitamins and the advantages of each.

As a B-Complex, B vitamins are typically available either in conventional lab-made form, that must be converted to active form to be used by the body, or in the preferred co-enzyme form which offers enhanced bioavailability.

B-Complex Formats

B-Complex formulas can be purchased in tablets, capsules, powders, liquids, and drops, as well as oral spray form. They are also frequently found in sublingual form, as well as timed or sustained-release form. B-complex injections are also occasionally administered by health care practitioners for those with severe dietary restrictions.

GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR B-COMPLEX

Because B vitamins are essential to everyone’s health, they typically do not interact negatively with other medications, natural or otherwise. However, certain conditions like low blood potassium and stomach inflammation or gastritis, as well as partial gastrectomy may make B complex supplementation inappropriate for you.