This very powerful B vitamin combination formula supplies most of the B vitamins in their coenzymated forms so the body does not have to phosphorylate them. Biotin is supplied in a therapeutic dose of 2,000 mcg.
Thiamin or Vitamin B-1
Vitamin B-1 is needed for energy production, heart function, and the health of the brain and nervous system. B-1 also helps remove lead from the body. 50mg of B-1 was given to 60 women for two months, and increased levels of B-1 made these women feel more clearheaded, composed and energetic.2 50mg of B-1 per day improved mental wellness in epileptics.3 25mg of thiamin with 50mg of B-6 leads to significantly reduced symptoms in patients with diabetic neuropathy.4
Riboflavin (B-2):Antioxidant and Migraine Preventor
Vitamin B-2, also known as riboflavin, is another B vitamin that helps the body turn food into energy. B-2 is also a powerful antioxidant. 400mg of riboflavin per day may help prevent migraine headaches.5 Patients with low thyroid function may have an increased need for vitamin B-2, particularly in the activated form known as riboflavin-5-phosphate. Taking riboflavin imparts a yellow color to the urine, which is harmless.
Niacin: Lowering Lipids
Niacin is one of the forms of vitamin B3. Higher doses of niacin are effective in lowering triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a) levels and in elevating HDL cholesterol levels. Niacin has been found to extend lifespan through its role in helping ward off heart and artery disease.6 Doses of regular niacin of more than 50 milligrams can initially lead to a harmless but annoying flushing reaction that turns skin red. Inositol hexanicotinate, also known as no-flush niacin, usually does not cause flushing reactions. Inositol hexanicotinate may also offer symptomatic relief to those with Raynaud's disease7 and circulation disorders such as intermittent claudication.8 Taking niacin alone can raise homocysteine levels.9 Therefore, one should always take the homocysteine lowering nutrients B6, folic acid and B12 along with niacin to prevent homocysteine elevation during niacin therapy.
Niacinamide: Antioxidant Aiding Glucose Control and Osteoarthritis
Niacinamide, the other form of vitamin B3, may help those with osteoarthritis. One recent study of 72 osteoarthritis patients showed that niacinamide can improve joint flexibility, reduce inflammation, and allow for reduction in standard anti-inflammatory medications.10 Niacinamide may also improve glucose control in type II diabetics.11 Some also find that they feel more relaxed when taking niacinamide.
Vitamin B6: For Brain Wellness and Female Health
Women have a special need for B6. B6 plays a valuable role in the liver by converting a type of cancer promoting estrogen into less harmful anti-cancer metabolites. B6 also supports female hormonal balance in general, and is very useful in the management of PMS, as well as the nausea and vomiting that may accompany pregnancy. Oral contraceptives often increase the need for vitamin B6. The depression some experience on oral contraceptives can be helped with 40 mg per day of B6.12
A five-month study with 76 asthmatics showed that 200 mg per day of B6 led to a reduction in the need for bronchodilators and asthmatic medications.13 B6 has also been found to help those with carpal tunnel syndrome, epilepsy, and MSG sensitivity. B6 also has been found to act as a diuretic. B6 is available in the activated form known as pyridoxyl-5-phosphate that may work more effectively in some patients than regular B6.
Folic Acid: For the Heart and Mind
Folic acid helps prevent heart and artery disease and may reduce risk to Alzheimer's disease through its role in lowering levels of the artery-clogging substance known as homocysteine. Folic acid also helps prevent birth defects. Depression is often the first sign that folic acid levels are low. Folic acid may have particular application in the prevention and treatment of post-partum depression. Increased intake of folic acid may help protect against colorectal cancer and cervical dysplasia.14
Vitamin B12: A Must Supplement for Strict Vegetarians
Vitamin B12 has been found useful as a treatment for asthma, depression, and for promoting mental wellness. Vegetarians are particularly susceptible to low B 12 levels, as B12 is the only B vitamin found exclusively in animal products. Pregnant vegans in particular need to supplement months prior to pregnancy, for pregnancy increases B12 requirements. Mothers undersupplied with B12 can have babies with neurological problems. Older adults are often low in vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 is also available in activated forms such as methylcobalamin. Sixty milligrams of methylcobalamin was given every day for 6 months to 6 patients with chronic progressive MS. This led to improvement in abnormalities in both the visual and brainstem nerve function.15 Methylcobalamin may also be useful in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy, Bell's Palsy16 and sleep-wake disorders.
Biotin: Strengthening Nails and Balancing Blood Sugar
Biotin can help strengthen nails in humans by 25% in those with weak or brittle nails.17 A high intake of biotin can improve blood sugar control in animal models of type II diabetes. By helping keep blood sugar and insulin lower, biotin may support weight loss.18 Biotin may also help patients with diabetic neuropathy.19
Pantothenic Acid: For Stressand Wound Healing
Pantothenic acid, previously known as vitamin B5, is a member of the B complex family that helps immune function, energy generation, and the body's production of stress hormones. Pantothenic acid may help those with rheumatoid arthritis, though more research is needed.
Brain and Nerve Impairment
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), schizophrenia, depression, and autism have all shown dramatic improvements in 50% or more of cases when they supplemented with high doses of Vitamin B-6.20
Chelation/Heavy Metal Detox
Heavy metal detoxification creates oxidative stress thus increasing the body’s need for B-vitamins.
Candida/Yeast
Pantethine helps the body get rid of yeast overgrowths and accumulations in the liver of other toxic substances such as formaldehyde.
Emotional Disturbances
Thiamin (B-1) deficiency often manifests itself as aggressive and addictive behavior as well as personality disorders and mental illnesses. Up to 30% of the people admitted to hospital psychiatric wards are deficient in B-1 according to research estimates. A dose of 400mg daily helps maintain healthy levels of the brain chemicals such as acetylcholine. Also, B-6 plays a pivotal role in the feeling of well being, in that it makes nonepinephrine and serotonin brain chemicals.
Female Health
B-Complex vitamins are helpful in the treatment of PMS through their role in promoting female hormonal balance and liver detoxification.
Lead Poisoning
B-1 has the ability to counteract lead poisoning, the #1 environmental hazard that American children face, causing learning difficulties, nerve damage, and other neurological problems. Even a slightly lower than adequate B-1 level permits more lead to build up, but supplementation helps to decrease the accumulation.
Learning Disabilities & Mental Function
B-1 can help children with deficiencies and expand their learning capacity up to 25 percent.21Some behavioral problems have disappeared completely. Higher doses can enable the mentally retarded to concentrate better and make greater use of their mental abilities.22 College students given 50mg of thiamin daily for two months showed faster reaction times and were found to be more clearheaded, composed, and energetic.23 Also, B-12 is critical for cognitive function as revealed by numerous test scores vs. blood levels in the elderly.24
Schizophrenia
Niacin and niacinamide (B-3) has been found to double the two-year recovery rates of schizophrenia after just five weeks.25 And, has a gently tranquilizing effect often prescribed for anxiety.
Biochemical Roles of B Vitamins
As coenzymes, the B vitamins are essential components in most major metabolic reactions. As water-soluble substances, B vitamins are not generally stored in the body in any appreciable amounts (with the exception of vitamin B-12). Therefore, the body needs an adequate supply of B vitamins on a daily basis. Vitamin B-1 (thiamin), vitamin B-2 (riboflavin), and niacinamide are all essential coenzymes in energy production. Thiamin is required for the energetics of the glycolytic and Citric Acid Cycle reactions. Thiamin is also related to nerve impulse transmission. Riboflavin is a component of coenzymes FAD and FMN, which are intermediates in many redox reactions, including energy production and cellular respiration reactions. Niacin is a component of the coenzymes NAD and NADP, which are also integral components of energy production reactions. Vitamin B-6 dependent enzymes are required for the biosynthesis of many neurotransmitters, including serotonin, epinephrine, and nonepinephrine. Vitamin B-6, a coenzyme in amino acid metabolism, is also necessary for the processing of homocysteine and the conversion of tryptophan into niacin. Folic acid together with vitamin B-12 serves as a methyl donor for biosynthetic reactions, including the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. Optimum metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats depends upon adequate levels of biotin and pantothenic acid. Biotin is essential for many metabolic carboxylation reactions, while pantothenic acid, as part of Coenzyme A, is essential to energy production via the Citric Acid Cycle. While not truly vitamins, choline, inositol, and para-aminobenzoic acid are important, related nutrients to B vitamins. Choline serves not only as a methyl donor for homocysteine metabolism following conversion to betaine, but also as a structural component of cellular membranes as phosphatidylcholine and of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Inositol aids in the cellular response to hormonal signals, serves as a source of arachidonic acid, and is active in cellular membranes as phoshatidylinositol. Finally, para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) is an integral component of folic acid as well as having antioxidant properties. |
