B Complex

Please note the following referenced scientific research is for informational use only. The results reported below may not necessarily occur in all our customers. The information should not replace advice from your health care practitioner. This information should not be read to recommend or endorse any specific product.

The B group vitamins are essential for your body to function optimally, with each individual B vitamin playing a unique role in the body. B group vitamins help release energy from nutrients like carbohydrates, fats and protein, assist with brain function, stress support and the immune system function. Most of these vitamins can not be stored in the body so we must consume them through a balanced wholefood diet.

Energy

  • Riboflavin is needed in a number of reactions involved in energy production and metabolic pathways along with the metabolism of other vitamins and nutrients. It assists in the release of energy from nutrient in all body cells (Whitney et al. 2014. 306).

  • B vitamins, in general, are key cofactors for the enzymes involved in energy-producing metabolic pathways for carbohydrates, fats and protein (Whitney et al. 2014, 302).

  • B1, B2, B5, B6 play a role in cellular energy production. B vitamins collectively function as coenzymes involved in energy production (Braun & Cohen 2015, 1054).

  • B vitamins are involved in energy storage and release (Braun & Cohen 2015, 1071).

Immune System

  • Vitamin B deficiency may affect body immune system processes (Whitney et al. 2014, 326).

  • B12 is an immunomodulator for cellular immunity (Braun & Cohen 2015, 1093).

Nervous System

  • Folate is essential for brain development and function (Linus Pauling Institute 2020). 

  • B12 is part of the synthesis of protein structures in nerve cells (Braun & Cohen 2015, 1093).

  • Research supports the link between brain atrophy, cognitive ability and vitamin B levels, with positive results with individuals supplementing with B vitamins (Stough et al. 2014).

Stress

  • B vitamins help maintain and support a healthy nervous system assisting with stress management and mood (Long & Benton 2013).

  • B5 is used with other B vitamins during times of stress to imporve the body’s stress response and restore nutrient levels (Braun & Cohen 2015, 1074).

References

  • Braun, L., and Cohen,Marc. 2015. Herbs & Natural Supplements An Evidence-based guide Volume 2. 4th ed. Australia: Elsevier.

  • Whitney, E., Rolfes, SR., Crowe, T., Cameron-Smith, D., Walsh, A. 2014. Understanding Nutiriton Australia and New Zealand Edition. 2nd ed. Australia: Cengage Learning Australia Pty Limited.

  • Linus Pauling Institute - Micronutrient Information. 2019. Folate. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/folate

  • Stough, C., Simpson, T., Lomas, J., MyPhee, G., Bilings, C., Myers, S., Oliver, C., Downey, LA. 2014. “Reducing occupational stress with a B-vitamin focused intervention: a randomized clinical trial: study protocol.” Nutrition Journal, 13. 122. https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-13-122 

  • Kennedy, DO. 2016. “B Vitamins and the Brain: Mechanisms, Dose and Efficacy - A Review”. Nutrients, 8. 2 (Feb). 10.3390/nu8020068

  • Long, SJ., Benton, D. 2013. “Effects of Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation On Stress and Milk Psychiatric Symptoms, and Mood in Non-clinical Samples: A Meta-Analysis”. Psychosomatic Medicine, 75. 2 (feb): 144-153. https://insights.ovid.com/article/00006842-201302000-00007