The benefits of vitamins are not news, but we need them as surely as we need air to breath and water to drink. Make no mistake; a good supplement regimen starts with adequate vitamin intake. B Vitamins are essential for maintaining healthy nerves, skin, hair, eyes, liver and mouth and also good for muscle tone in the gastrointestinal tract. They give us energy and are necessary to metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Because B vitamins are water soluble, our bodies naturally flush them away everyday. Physical and emotional stress, dieting and our typical "on-the-go" lifestyles also increase their loss. That is why it is so important to replenish them daily.
The B-complex vitamins are a group of similarly structured compounds, which is why we refer to them as a "complex".
This complex of chemicals consists of B1 (thiamine), B-2 (riboflavin), B-3 (niacin), B-5 (pantothenic acid), B-6 (pyridoxine), B-7 (biotin), B-12 (cobalamin) and folic acid (folate or folacin).
PABA, inositol and choline are often included in this group. The B-complex of vitamins are used in the proper formation of every cell in your body - particularly nerve cells. This is why it is so important for pregnant women to get their B´s (especially folic acid).
The most common nutritional deficiency in the world is folic acid deficiency, which is characterized by low mood, and can lead to neural tube defects in the developing, unborn child. Deficiency in either vitamin B-12 or B-6 can also bring about low mood, and often mask folic acid deficiency.
B vitamins are not stored well in the body and are depleted rapidly in dieters, and caffeine and alcohol users. The B-complex is used throughout the body in methylation reactions and is particularly effective against low mood, moodiness, and muscular weakness.
B vitamins help the body to maintain:
- B vitamins for the health of the skin, bones, hair and muscle
- B vitamins for the health of the mucosal membranes, particularly around the mouth
- B vitamins for the intestinal health and bowel function
- B vitamins for the brain cell function and health
- B vitamins for the relief from skin problems, including dry and itchy skin and rashes
Because they are methyl donors, the B-complex helps to reduce the build-up of homocysteine, making it an excellent heart-health supplement. It is well established that a person´s measure of blood plasma homocysteine acts as a biochemical marker inversely indicating folate levels. When a person´s blood plasma folate levels are high, their homocysteine levels are low.
B-6 (pyridoxine), one of the water-soluble vitamins, Vitamin B-6 is needed for a wide array of bodily functions, particularly in the handling of amino acid reactions. Here are some of the more interesting functions B-6 performs in the body: metabolizes cysteine to pyruvic acid, works with phosphorylase to convert glycogen to glucose, works to synthesize fatty acids and metabolize cholesterol, is used to produce a variety of neurotransmitters including serotonin.
B-6 supports the immune system. While the B vitamins are found in foods, some are lost in cooking and excess of one B can result in a depletion of another. This is one vitamin we suggest taking as a complete supplement.
Directions: As a dietary supplement, take one tablet daily, preferably with meals or as recommended by a health care professional.
Content: 150 tablets
Ingredients (per tablet): Vitamin B1 50 mg Vitamin B2 50 mg Vitamin B6 50 mg Vitamin B12 50 mcg Niacinamide 50 mg Folic Acid 200 mcg Pantothenic Acid 50 mcg D-Biotin 150 mcg Choline Bitartrate 50 mg Inositol 50 mg Para Amino Banzoic 50 mg
Other Ingredients: Alfalfa, parsley, soy lecithin, watercress, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, cellulose, and silicon dioxide.
Contains soy