Vitamin B complex
Why Is Vitamin B Complex Important, and Where Do I Get It?
B-complex supplements usually pack all eight B vitamins into one pill.
B vitamins are water-soluble, which means your body does not store them. For this reason, your diet must supply them each day. They have many important functions and are vital for maintaining good health.
Vitamin B complex supplements usually contain the following:
· B1 (thiamine). Thiamine plays an essential role in metabolism by helping convert nutrients into energy. The richest food sources include pork, sunflower seeds, and wheat germ (1Trusted Source).
· B2 (riboflavin). Riboflavin helps convert food into energy and also acts as an antioxidant. Foods highest in riboflavin include organ meats, beef, and mushrooms (2Trusted Source).
· B3 (niacin). Niacin plays a role in cellular signaling, metabolism, and DNA production and repair. Food sources include chicken, tuna, and lentils (3Trusted Source).
· B5 (pantothenic acid). Like other B vitamins, pantothenic acid helps your body obtain energy from food and is also involved in hormone and cholesterol production. Liver, fish, yogurt, and avocado are all good sources (4).
· B6 (pyridoxine). Pyridoxine is involved in amino acid metabolism, red blood cell production, and the creation of neurotransmitters. Foods highest in this vitamin include chickpeas, salmon, and potatoes (5).
· B7 (biotin). Biotin is essential for carbohydrate and fat metabolism and regulates gene expression. Yeast, eggs, salmon, cheese, and liver are among the best food sources of biotin (6Trusted Source).
· B9 (folate). Folate is needed for cell growth, amino acid metabolism, the formation of red and white blood cells, and proper cell division. It can be found in foods like leafy greens, liver, and beans or in supplements in the form of folic acid (7Trusted Source).
· B12 (cobalamin). Perhaps the most well-known of all the B vitamins, B12 is vital for neurological function, DNA production, and red blood cell development. B12 is found naturally in animal sources like meats, eggs, seafood, and dairy (8Trusted Source).
Although these vitamins share some characteristics, they all have unique functions and are needed in different amounts.
While another essential nutrient, choline, was formerly considered to be a B-complex vitamin and shares some similarities with them, it is in fact neither a vitamin nor a mineral.
SUMMARY
B-complex supplements usually contain all eight B vitamins conveniently packed into one pill.
Who should take a vitamin B complex?
Since B vitamins are found in many foods, you are most likely not at risk of developing a deficiency as long as you follow a well-rounded diet.
However, certain circumstances increase the need for B vitamins, making supplements necessary.
People who are pregnant or nursing
During pregnancy, the demand for B vitamins, particularly B12 and folate, grows. This is because they are needed to support fetal development (9Trusted Source).
In people who are pregnant or breastfeeding or chestfeeding — especially those who follow vegetarian or vegan diets — supplementing with a B-complex vitamin is crucial.
B12 or folate deficiency during pregnancy or while nursing can lead to severe neurological damage or birth defects in the fetus or infant (10Trusted Source).
Older adults
As you age, your ability to absorb vitamin B12 decreases and your appetite declines, making it difficult for some people to get enough B12 through diet alone.
The body’s ability to release B12 from food so that it can be absorbed depends on adequate amounts of stomach acid.
However, it’s estimated that 10–30% of people over 50 don’t produce enough stomach acid to properly absorb B12. If you take medications to reduce stomach acid in order to treat acid reflux or heartburn, this can also inhibit your B12 absorption (11Trusted Source).
Deficiency in B12 has been linked to increased rates of depression and mood disturbances in older people (12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source).
Deficiencies in vitamin B6 and folate are also common in older adults (14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source).
Those with certain medical conditions
People with certain medical conditions — such as celiac disease, cancer, Crohn’s disease, alcoholism, hypothyroidism, and anorexia — are more likely to develop nutrient deficiencies, including B vitamins (16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source, 20Trusted Source).
Additionally, the MTHFR genetic mutation can affect how your body metabolizes folate, which can lead to a folate deficiency and other health concerns (21Trusted Source).
What’s more, people who have undergone certain weight loss surgeries are also more likely to be deficient in B vitamins (22Trusted Source).
In these circumstances, people are often advised to supplement with a B-complex vitamin to correct or avoid deficiencies.
Vegetarians and vegans
Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal products like meat, dairy, eggs, and seafood.
Vegans and strict vegetarians could be at risk of developing a B12 deficiency if they don’t get enough of this vitamin through fortified foods or supplements (23Trusted Source).
A daily B-complex vitamin can help ensure that people who choose to follow diets that eliminate animal products are getting enough of these important nutrients.
People taking certain medications
Commonly prescribed medications can lead to a deficiency in B vitamins.
For example, proton pump inhibitors, which are medications that lower stomach acid, can decrease the absorption of B12, whereas metformin, a popular diabetes drug, can decrease levels of both B12 and folate (24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source).
Birth control pills can also deplete several B vitamins, including B6, B12, folate, and riboflavin (26Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
Pregnancy, medical conditions, surgeries, genetics, medications, dietary restrictions, and age can all affect how your body absorbs and uses B vitamins.
Health benefits of taking B vitamins
While certain conditions make it necessary for some people to supplement with B-complex vitamins, research has shown that taking a B vitamin supplement may be helpful even for people who don’t have an increased need for these nutrients.
May reduce stress and boost mood
B-complex vitamins are often used to reduce fatigue and boost mood. Some studies suggest that B vitamins can lift your spirits and improve your cognitive performance.
A 33-day study in 215 healthy men found that treatment with a high dose B-complex and mineral supplement improved general mental health and stress and enhanced performance on cognitive tests (27Trusted Source).
Another study in young adults showed that supplementing with a multivitamin containing high levels of B-complex vitamins for 90 days reduced stress and mental fatigue (28Trusted Source).
May reduce symptoms of anxiety or depression
While B-complex vitamin supplements are not a cure for mental health conditions, they may help improve symptoms of depression or anxiety.
A study in 60 adults with depression showed that treatment with a vitamin B complex for 60 days led to significant improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms, compared with a placebo (29Trusted Source).
B vitamins may also enhance treatment response when given in combination with antidepressant medication.
One study found that supplementing with a vitamin containing B12, B6, and folic acid led to a more enhanced and lasting antidepressant response over 1 year, compared with a placebo (30Trusted Source).
Note that low blood levels of certain B vitamins, including B12, B6, and folate, have been linked to an increased risk of depression, which is why it’s important to rule out nutrient deficiencies if you are experiencing symptoms of depression (31Trusted Source, 32Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
B-complex supplements may relieve stress, boost cognitive performance, and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, even in people without B vitamin deficiencies.
Each B vitamin has a specific recommended daily amount that varies depending on biological sex, age, and other factors like pregnancy.
For women and men, the recommended daily intake (RDI) for B vitamins is as follows:
|
|
Women |
Men |
|
B1 (thiamine) |
1.1 mg |
1.2 mg |
|
B2 (riboflavin) |
1.1 mg |
1.3 mg |
|
B3 (niacin) |
14 mg |
16 mg |
|
B5 (pantothenic acid) |
5 mg (RDI not established; adequate Intake, or AI, provided) |
5 mg (AI) |
|
B6 (pyridoxine) |
1.3 mg |
1.3 mg |
|
B7 (biotin) |
30 mcg (AI) |
30 mcg (AI) |
|
B9 (folate) |
400 mcg |
400 mcg |
|
B12 (cobalamin) |
2.4 mcg |
2.4 mcg |
Pregnant and lactating people need higher amounts of B vitamins, while infants and children need less (33Trusted Source).
If you are deficient in B vitamins, you may need to supplement with higher doses to address the deficiency.
For these reasons, it’s important to choose a B-complex supplement based on your individual requirements for each B vitamin.
Speak with a healthcare professional about your specific nutrient needs based on your age and health.
SUMMARY
The recommended intake for B vitamins varies depending on age, nutrient demands, biological sex, and health status.
Since B vitamins are water-soluble, it’s unlikely that you will consume too much of these nutrients through food or by taking a B-complex supplement as directed.
However, taking supplements that contain excessively high and unnecessary quantities of B vitamins could lead to serious side effects.
High doses of supplemental B3 (niacin) may lead to vomiting, high blood sugar levels, skin flushing, and even liver damage (34Trusted Source).
Additionally, high doses of B6 can cause nerve damage, light sensitivity, and painful skin lesions (35Trusted Source).
Another side effect of B-complex supplements is that they can turn your urine bright yellow. Although discolored urine can be shocking, it’s not dangerous — it’s simply your body getting rid of excess vitamins that it can’t use.
If you need to take a B-complex supplement, always choose reputable brands that volunteer to have their products independently tested by organizations like the US Pharmacopeia (USP).
SUMMARY
Although taking a vitamin B complex as directed is likely safe, consuming high doses of B3 or B6 can lead to serious side effects.
Pregnant people, older adults, vegans, and those with certain medical conditions may benefit from taking a B-complex supplement.
Taking these supplements may also improve mood, cognitive function, and symptoms of depression.
Side effects are unlikely if you follow the recommended dosage, which varies depending on age, nutrient demands, sex, and health.
If you aren’t sure whether taking a B-complex supplement will benefit your health, speak with your healthcare professional to help you determine if it’s the right choice for you.
Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-b-complex
(By Jillian Kubala, MS, RD — Medically reviewed by Kathy W. Warwick, R.D., CDE, Nutrition — Updated on April 4, 2022)
