March 30, 2022

Uses of the B Vitamins and Their Benefits

Vitamin B is a collective term for eight B vitamins. All B vitamins contribute to the body's conversion of food to energy. Additionally, each vitamin plays a unique role in a person's health. 

B-complex vitamin supplements combine all essential B vitamins into a single pill. Some contain the recommended daily allowance for each B vitamin. Others contain increased amounts of one or more of these vitamins. 

While many people obtain their vitamin B requirements through a varied, healthful diet, others benefit from supplementation with a vitamin B complex. 

What is the Vitamin B Complex composed of? 

B vitamins are a group of nutrients that perform various critical functions in the body. 

Age, pregnancy, dietary choices, medical conditions, genetics, medication, and alcohol use, on the other hand, increase the body's requirement for B vitamins. 

Supplementation with B vitamins may be necessary for these instances. 

B complex vitamins are nutritional supplements containing all eight B vitamins, including the following:

Thiamin (Vitamin B-1)

Vitamin B-1 is required for normal organ growth and function, including the brain and heart. 

Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2)

Vitamin B-2 is required by the body to break down fats and medications. 

Niacin (Vitamin B-3)

Niacin is required by the body to maintain healthy skin, nerves, and digestion. Doctors periodically prescribe high doses of niacin to aid in lower cholesterol levels. 

Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B-5) 

Vitamin B-5 is critical for the brain and nervous system's health. 

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6 )

Vitamin B-6 aids in the body's red blood cell production, transporting oxygen throughout the body. Additionally, it aids in the maintenance of a healthy immune system. 

Biotin (Vitamin B-7)

Biotin is required to maintain healthy hair, nails, and nerve function. 

Folic acid (Vitamin B-9)

Folic acid — or folate in its natural form — is used by the body to synthesize DNA and genetic material. Folic acid may help reduce the risk of s congenital disabilities during pregnancy. 

Cobalamin (Vitamin B-12)

Vitamin B-12 is required by the body's n and blood cells. Adequate B-12 levels also help prevent pernicious anemia caused by a nutrient deficiency. 

Advantages and Uses 

Vitamin B-complex supplements may be beneficial for a variety of health conditions. If a person has any of the following conditions, they may benefit from taking a B vitamin supplement: 

Migraine attacks 

Certain studies indicate that specific B vitamins, specifically: 

Vitamins B-6, B-9, and B-12 

Additionally, the researchers suggest that vitamin B-2 may aid in migraine prevention by affecting mitochondrial dysfunction, which occurs at the cellular level. 

The authors of a 2017 review study examined the effects of vitamin B-2 on migraine. They report that this vitamin is well tolerated and effective at reducing the frequency of migraine attacks in adults, though they recommend additional research. 

Anxiety and depression 

According to the authors of a 2018 study, vitamin B-12 levels are critical in developing and presenting depression and anxiety. They report that participants who suffered from depression or anxiety had lower B-12 levels than control subjects. 

A meta-analysis discovered that B vitamins might be beneficial in some cases of depression. According to the researchers, taking B vitamins consistently for several weeks to years may help reduce the risk of depression relapse. 

Additionally, a small-scale study in India suggested that B-9 and B-12 deficiency may contribute to depression and anxiety. 

Skin abrasions 

B vitamins may aid in the healing process of the skin. 

According to one study, when these vitamins were applied to the skin, they aided in the faster healing of wounds. Another study discovered that B-12 enhanced wound healing in diabetic mice. 

Sores canker 

Vitamin B-12 may aid in treating canker sores, also called oral ulcers. A double-blind study discovered that a B-12 ointment was more effective at relieving pain than a placebo. 

PMS 

According to some evidence, taking a B-6 and calcium supplement together may help alleviate premenstrual syndrome symptoms (PMS). 

Vitamin B-6 was found to help control physical and psychological PMS symptoms in a systematic review and meta-analysis. 

Which individuals should take B-complex vitamins? 

Women who are pregnant 

Vitamin B-complex supplements may be beneficial for pregnant women. 

B vitamins are essential during pregnancy when a woman should consume at least 400 mcg of folic acid daily. This would also occur in the months preceding conception in an ideal world. 

Additionally, pregnant women should consume folate — folic acid's natural form — through food sources. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), consuming the recommended amounts of folic acid and folate lowers the risk of brain and spinal cord congenital disabilities. 

Pregnant women also require an adequate supply of vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 deficiency has been linked to early pregnancy loss, low birth weight, high blood pressure in the mother, and fetal abnormalities, according to studies. 

Vegans and vegetarians 

Vegetarians abstain from meat, including beef, poultry, and fish. Vegans abstain from eating animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy products. 

Vegetarian and vegan diets have been shown to increase the risk of B-12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is found in various animal-derived foods, including meat, eggs, and dairy. 

While those who consume eggs and dairy products may obtain the B-12 they require from these foods, those who do not consume animal products may need supplements. 

Individuals who have undergone gastric bypass surgery

Individuals who have had gastric bypass surgery, alternatively referred to as bariatric surgery, frequently require vitamin supplements. 

According to research, this surgery increases a person's requirement for B-12. Additionally, there is evidence that many people require a multivitamin that contains B vitamins and other nutrients following this surgery, at least in the short term. 

Senior citizens 

Individuals 65 years of age and older may benefit from a B-complex supplement. 

According to research, older adults are more prone to vitamin B-12 deficiency. Some evidence suggests that increasing B-12 levels may help slow the brain's aging, but further research is necessary to confirm this finding. 

According to a systematic review and meta-analysis, low B-12 and folate levels in older adults — the dietary equivalent of folic acid or vitamin B-9 — may be associated with depression. 

Additionally, a study involving older Latino adults discovered that increased B-6 levels were associated with reducing depression symptoms.

 

Individuals with additional health problems 

A person who suffers from any of the following health problems may benefit from vitamin B-complex supplementation: 

 

• Alcoholism is a co-occurring disorder with an autoimmune d such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or type 1 diabetes. 
• Diabetes is characterized by malabsorption, such as celiac disease or Crohn's disease. 
• The disease of the kidney 
• HIV-associated cardiomyopathy 
• Alzheimer's illness 
• AIDS
• Cancer

Adverse effects and dangers 

B vitamins are soluble in water. This means that the body frequently excretes excess B vitamins in the urine. 

While a standard dose appears to be safe, exceedingly high doses of specific B vitamins can be hazardous. Consult a physician before taking extremely high doses of B-complex supplements. 

Additionally, taking a high-dose B-complex supplement can cause the urine to turn a bright yellow color. This is a transient and harmless effect. Once the kidneys eliminate the excess vitamins, the color returns to normal. 

Choosing the proper B-complex vitamin supplement

A physician may recommend a particular type of this supplement based on an individual's health needs. 

As a natural supplement, Vitanergy conducts independent quality control on all our supplements. Our Vitamin B Complex Gummies are derived from natural sources and produced to meet your body’s B vitamin needs.

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