Vitamin B-Complex

Uses

The vitamin B-complex refers to all of the known essential water-soluble vitamins except for vitamin C. These include thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), biotin, folic acid and the cobalamins (vitamin B12).

"Vitamin B" was once thought to be a single nutrient . Researchers later discovered these extracts contained several vitamins, which were given distinguishing numbers, leading many people to the erroneous conclusion that these vitamins have a special relationship to each other. Further adding to confusion has been the "unofficial" designation of other, non-essential vitamins, as members of the B-complex, such as choline, inositol, and para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA).

Each member of the B-complex has a unique structure and performs unique functions in the human body. Vitamins B1, B2, B3, and biotin participate in different aspects of energy production, vitamin B6 is essential for amino acid metabolism, and vitamin B12 and folic acid facilitate steps required for cell division.

Each of these vitamins has many additional functions, though none that require all B-complex vitamins simultaneously. Human requirements for each B vitamin vary considerably—from 3 mcg per day for vitamin B12 to 18 mg per day for vitamin B3 in adult males, for example. So, taking equal amounts of each one—as provided in many B-complex supplements—makes little sense. Megadoses of B-complex vitamins sometimes taken to combat everyday stress, boost energy, or control food cravings, do not appear to offer benefit unless a person is deficient in one or more of them.

Most multivitamin-mineral products contain the B-complex along with the rest of the essential vitamins and minerals. Since they are more complete than B-complex vitamins alone, multiple vitamin-mineral supplements are recommended to improve overall micronutrient intake and prevent deficiencies.

What Are Star Ratings?

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used forWhy
3 Stars
Wound Healing
Follow label directions
Thiamine (vitamin B1), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), and other B vitamins have all been shown to play a role in wound healing. For this reason, some healthcare practitioners recommend a high-potency B vitamin supplement to promote wound healing.

Thiamine (vitamin B1),pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), and other B vitamins have all been shown to play a role in wound healing in animal studies. For this reason, although human research is lacking, some alternative healthcare practitioners recommend a high-potency B vitamin supplement to promote wound healing.

2 Stars
Canker Sores
300 mg B1 daily, 20 mg B2 daily, 150 mg B6 daily
People with recurrent canker sores may have a B vitamin deficiency. Supplementing with vitamins B1, B2, and B6 has been reported to provide relief.

Several preliminary studies, though not all, have found a surprisingly high incidence of iron and deficiency among people with recurrent canker sores. Treating these deficiencies has been reported in preliminary and controlled studies to reduce or eliminate recurrences in most cases. Supplementing daily with B vitamins—300 mg vitamin B1, 20 mg vitamin B2, and 150 mg vitamin B6—has been reported to provide some people with relief. Thiamine (B1) deficiency specifically has been linked to an increased risk of canker sores. The right supplemental level of iron requires diagnosis of an iron deficiency by a healthcare professional using lab tests.

1 Star
Acne Rosacea
Refer to label instructions
The relationship between B vitamins and rosacea is unclear, one study found it caused rocacea-like symptoms, other preliminary reports have found benefits.

Preliminary reports in the 1940s claimed that rosacea improved with oral supplements or injections of On the other hand, one report exists of rosacea-like symptoms in a patient taking 100 mg per day of vitamin B6 and 100 mcg per day of vitamin B12; these symptoms subsided when the supplements were discontinued. More research is needed to evaluate the potential benefits or hazards of B vitamins for rosacea.

1 Star
Alcohol Withdrawal
Refer to label instructions
Research suggests it is possible that successful treatment of B-complex vitamin deficiencies may actually reduce alcohol cravings, because animals crave alcohol when fed a B-complex-deficient diet.

Deficiencies of vitamins are common with chronic alcohol use. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that alcoholics have an increased need for B vitamins. It is possible that successful treatment of B-complex vitamin deficiencies may actually reduce alcohol cravings, because animals crave alcohol when fed a B-complex-deficient diet. Many doctors recommend 100 mg of B-complex vitamins per day.

1 Star
Anxiety
Refer to label instructions
Double-blind research suggests that supplementing with vitamin B-complex multivitamin may reduce feelings of anxiety, perceived stress, and tiredness.
In one double-blind study, 80 healthy male volunteers (aged 18 to 42 years) were randomly assigned to receive a daily multivitamin-mineral formula or placebo for 28 days. The multi contained the following: thiamine (15 mg), riboflavin (15 mg), niacin (50 mg), pantothenic acid (23 mg), vitamin B6 (10 mg), biotin (150 mcg), folic acid (400 mcg), vitamin B12 (10 mcg), vitamin C (500 mg), calcium (100 mg), magnesium (100 mg), and zinc (10 mg). Compared with the placebo group, the multivitamin group experienced consistent and statistically significant reductions in anxiety and perceived stress, as determined by questionnaires measuring psychological state. This group also tended to rate themselves as less tired and better able to concentrate.
1 Star
Athletic Performance
Refer to label instructions
B-complex vitamins are needed to produce energy from carbohydrates. Exercisers may have slightly increased requirements for some of the B vitamins, including vitamins B2, B6, and B5, athletic performance can suffer if these slightly increased needs are not met.

The are important for athletes, because they are needed to produce energy from carbohydrates. Exercisers may have slightly increased requirements for some of the B vitamins, including vitamin B2, vitamin B6, and vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid); athletic performance can suffer if these slightly increased needs are not met. However, most athletes obtain enough B vitamins from their diet without supplementation, and supplementation studies have found no positive effect on performance measures for vitamin B2, vitamin B3 (niacin), or vitamin B6. On the contrary, large amounts of niacin have been shown to impair endurance performance.

1 Star
Attention Deficit–Hyperactivity Disorder
Refer to label instructions
B vitamins have been used for ADHD. High amounts of B vitamins have shown mixed results in relieving ADHD symptoms.

, particularly vitamin B6, have also been used for ADHD. Deficient levels of vitamin B6 have been detected in some ADHD patients. In a study of six children with low blood levels of the neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) serotonin, vitamin B6 supplementation (15–30 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight per day) was found to be more effective than methylphenidate (Ritalin®). However, lower amounts of vitamin B6 were not beneficial. The effective amount of vitamin B6 in this study was extremely large and could potentially cause nerve damage, although none occurred in this study. A practitioner knowledgeable in nutrition must be consulted when using high amounts of vitamin B6. High amounts of other B vitamins have shown mixed results in relieving ADHD symptoms.

1 Star
Hives
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In one study, treatment with a hydrochloric acid supplement and a vitamin B-complex supplement helped to treat people with hives.

According to preliminary studies from many years ago, lack of hydrochloric acid (HCl) secretion by the stomach was associated with chronic hives, presumably as a result of increasing the likelihood of developing food allergies. In one such study, 31% were diagnosed as having achlorhydria (no gastric acid output), and 53% were shown to be hypochlorhydric (having low gastric acid output). In a related study, treatment with an HCl supplement and a supplement helped to treat people with hives.Betaine HCl is the most common hydrochloric acid-containing supplement; it comes in tablets or capsules measured in grains or milligrams. One or more tablets or capsules, each containing 5–10 grains (325–650 mg) are typically taken with a meal that contains protein. Diagnosis of a deficiency of HCl and supplementation with HCl should be supervised by a doctor.

1 Star
Indigestion, Heartburn, and Low Stomach Acidity
Refer to label instructions
People with achlorhydria (no stomach acid) or hypochlorhydria may not metabolize B vitamins properly, putting them at risk of developing various nutritional deficiencies, which could presumably contribute to the development of a wide range of health problems.
Many minerals and vitamins appear to require adequate concentrations of stomach acid to be absorbed optimally—examples are iron, zinc, and B-complex vitamins, including folic acid. People with achlorhydria (no stomach acid) or hypochlorhydria may therefore be at risk of developing various nutritional deficiencies, which could presumably contribute to the development of a wide range of health problems.
1 Star
Indigestion, Heartburn, and Low Stomach Acidity, and Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Refer to label instructions
For people who have inadequate absorption of vitamin B12 due to low stomach acid, supplementing with vitamin B complex can help correct a deficiency.
Vitamin B12 supplementation may be beneficial for a subset of people suffering from indigestion: those with delayed emptying of the stomach contents in association with Helicobacter pylori infection and low blood levels of vitamin B12. In a double-blind study of people who satisfied those criteria, treatment with vitamin B12 significantly reduced symptoms of dyspepsia and improved stomach-emptying times.
1 Star
Osteoporosis
Refer to label instructions
In one trial postmenopausal women who combined hormone replacement therapy with B vitamins and other nutrients and dietary changes increased their bone density by a remarkable 11%.

One trial studying postmenopausal women combined hormone replacement therapy with magnesium (600 mg per day), calcium (500 mg per day), vitamin C, , vitamin D, zinc, copper, manganese, boron, and other nutrients for an eight- to nine-month period. In addition, participants were told to avoid processed foods, limit protein intake, emphasize vegetable over animal protein, and limit consumption of salt, sugar, alcohol, coffee, tea, chocolate, and tobacco. Bone density increased a remarkable 11%, compared to only 0.7% in women receiving hormone replacement alone.

1 Star
Premenstrual Syndrome
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Research has linked B vitamin deficiencies to PMS, so some women may benefit from supplementing with B-complex vitamins for symptom relief.

Many years ago, research linked B vitamin deficiencies to PMS in preliminary research. Based on that early work, some doctors recommend B-complex vitamins for women with PMS.

1 Star
Tardive Dyskinesia
Refer to label instructions
In some studies, taking vitamin B-complex along with other nutrients appeared to prevent the development of tardive dyskinesia.

During a ten-year period, doctors at the North Nassau Mental Health Center in New York treated approximately 11,000 people with schizophrenia with a megavitamin regimen that included vitamin C (up to 4 grams per day), vitamin B3—either as niacin or niacinamide—(up to 4 grams per day), vitamin B6 (up to 800 mg per day), and vitamin E (up to 1,200 IU per day). During that time, not a single new case of TD was seen, even though many of the people were taking neuroleptic drugs. Another psychiatrist who routinely used niacinamide, vitamin C, and over a 28-year period rarely saw TD develop in her patients. Further research is needed to determine which nutrients or combinations of nutrients were most important for preventing TD. The amounts of niacinamide and vitamin B6 used in this research may cause significant side effects and may require monitoring by a doctor.

1 Star
Vitiligo
Refer to label instructions
PABA, a compound commonly found in B-complex vitamins, has been shown to repigment skin affected by vitiligo.

An early report described the use of PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)—a compound commonly found in —for vitiligo. Consistent use of 100 mg of PABA three or four times per day, along with an injectable form of PABA and a variety of hormones tailored to individual needs, resulted, in many cases, in repigmentation of areas affected by vitiligo.

Interactions

Interactions with Supplements, Foods, & Other Compounds

Vitamin B-complex includes several different nutrients, each of which has the potential to interact with drugs. Look up the unique interactions for each and discuss the potential benefits and risks of your current medications with your doctor or pharmacist before adding vitamin B-complex:

Interactions with Medicines

Certain medicines interact with this supplement.

Types of interactions:BeneficialAdverseCheck

Replenish Depleted Nutrients