Understanding B-Complex Vitamins

The family of B Vitamins, more commonly known as B-Complex Vitamins, are mostly water soluble which means that you need to intake them regularly. This is because once you’ve ingested them, the body takes and uses what it needs and then excretes the excess, so they are not stored in the body as some other vitamins are.

The B vitamins work in synergy together and are therefore more effective when ingested together rather than singularly, hence the combined B-Complex Vitamins.

B-Complex vitamins are considered to be especially beneficial to the nervous system and help with mental attitude such as memory and concentration. They are really good for aiding the metabolising of food, thus helping to improve digestion. They also help to: promote cell growth, maintain healthy skin, and maintain muscle tone.

Natural sources of B-Complex vitamins can be found in many of our daily foods including: yeast, milk, egg, cheese, liver, kidney, beef, pork, poultry, fish, most vegetables, potatoes, bran, brown rice, whole grains, nuts and some fruits

B1 – Thiamine

• Aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates.
• Promotes growth.
• Benefits the nervous system.
• Aids efficient functioning of muscles and the heart.
• Helps to improve mental attitude.

B2 – Riboflavin

• Aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
• Promotes growth.
• Promotes healthy skin, hair and nails.
• Aids reproduction.
• Helps to alleviate eye fatigue and vision problems.

B3 – Niacin

Benefits the nervous system.
Helps to regulate the metabolism of sugar.
Helps to reduce cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Helps with the synthesis of sex hormones.
Promotes healthy skin.
Aids digestion.
Helps to increase energy.

B5 – Panthenol

• Aids the development of the nervous system.
• Aids the functioning of the adrenal glands.
• Aids in the synthesis of antibodies to help fight infections.
• Aids the conversion of fat and sugar to energy.
• Aids the synthesis of iron-containing red pigment of haemoglobin.

B6 – Pyridoxine

• Helps to reduce nerve inflammation and muscle spasms.
• Aids the formation of antibodies and haemoglobin.
• Aids amino-acid metabolism.
• Promotes healthy skin.
• Works as a natural diuretic.

B12 – Cobalamin

• Aids the formation of new red blood cells, thus helping to guard against anaemia.
• Promotes a healthy nervous system.
• Aids memory and concentration.
• Aids the utilisation of fats, carbohydrates and protein.
• Helps to increase energy.

Biotin

• Aids metabolism of fat and protein.
• Aids the synthesis of ascorbic acid.
• Promotes healthy skin.
• Aids muscle functions.

Folic acid

• Aids the formation of red blood cells, helping to guard against anaemia.
• Aids the metabolism of protein.
• Aids the utilisation of amino acids.
• Aids normal development of an embryo’s nervous system.

Choline

• Aids the utilisation of fats.
• Helps to prevent the build up of cholesterol.
• Aids the liver function.
• Helps to improve memory.

Inositol

• Aids the metabolism of fats and cholesterol.
• Nourishes the brain cells.
• Promotes healthy skin and hair.

PABA - para-aminobenzoic acid

• Aids the utilisation of protein.
• Helps form folic acid.
• Aids the assimilation of pantothenic acid.
• Promotes healthy skin and hair.