B. It's the second letter of the alphabet and the first letter you think of when taking vitamins for energy levels! B vitamins are micronutrients, which means organisms require them to conduct a range of physiological functions paramount in health maintenance.
If you're not too familiar with B vitamins, but you have that feeling you've seen them around somewhere, it might be from the back of your favorite energy drink. They are commonly added to energy and other "functional" drinks.
All B vitamins help the body to convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which is used to produce energy. These B vitamins, typically referred to as B-complex vitamins, also help the body metabolize fats and protein, help your body build red blood cells, and support other cellular functions that are a requisite for our overall wellness. They all water-soluble vitamins which means it’s easy to get these important nutrients from fortified beverages. They are also readily available as supplements in the form of B-complex multivitamins. B vitamins can be found in meats, whole grains, dairy products, fruits, and veggies. For such an important vitamin, it's very convenient that it can be found in just about any diet. Keep in mind, though, that the calcium in dairy products may hinder the absorption process of B vitamins.
It is also believed that certain vitamins in a vitamin B complex can help people achieve weight loss. Some of these vitamins are needed to help the body metabolize various nutrients. Looked at from a different point of view, a 2013 study indicated that overweight and obese people were likely to have a vitamin B12 deficiency.
B Vitamins support just about every vital bodily function including:
Now that we have a bird's eye view about these vitamins, let's look at each one for a better appreciation and understanding of how they work individually and collectively.
The 1 Body B Complex is a full-spectrum supplement containing all B vitamins including:
I'm glad you asked and the answer is yes.
B vitamins are especially important for women who are pregnant and breastfeeding. These vitamins aid in fetal brain development and reduce the risk of birth defects. For expectant mothers, B vitamins may boost energy levels, ease nausea, and lower the risk of developing preeclampsia. We learned about this when discussing folic acid or B9.
For men, B vitamins are thought to increase testosterone levels, which naturally decrease with age. They may also help men build muscle and increase strength.
YES! Taking a Vitamin B Complex may reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and even boost your mood! I will not speak for everyone, but I'm certainly on board with a natural and easy way to do this.
In fact, A 33-day study showed that healthy men treated with a high-dose B-complex and mineral supplement showed a general improvement in mental health, lower stress levels, and enhanced performance on cognitive tests.
Another study conducted with 60 adults with depression showed that, when treated with a B-complex vitamin for 60 days, it led to a significant decrease in depression and anxiety symptoms, compared to a placebo.
In short, yes and no. Here's why. Since these vitamins are all water-soluble it's unlikely you'll be able to take in too much through diet alone. However, if you're taking supplements that contain excessive amounts of B's, it can lead to some serious side effects such as vomiting, high blood sugar levels, skin flushing, and even liver damage.