Give your body the essential B vitamins it needs by only taking one supplement. NUTRAscriptives® Vitamin B Complex provides a full range of B vitamins for complete nutritional support. Its formula includes active forms of folic acid and vitamin B12 to increase absorption, along with an extra dose of yeast-free biotin (1,500 mcg) to enhance nervous system function and glucose metabolism. B vitamins can benefit the immune system, reduce stress, assist cellular growth, and maintain healthy red blood cells, skin, hair and nails.
 

Description

NUTRAscriptives® Vitamin B Complex contains a complete line of B vitamins to be effectively used by the body, including active forms of folic acid and vitamin B12, yeast-free biotin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, and niacin.

Research

Cardiovascular Health

Elevated homocysteine levels (a dangerous amino acid) are related to cardiovascular ailments. Several studies have found vitamin B6, folate, and cobalamin deficiencies are linked to high homocysteine levels.[1] Furthermore, research suggests B vitamins can lower homocysteine levels by 30%.[2]

One study recruited 89 men with cardiovascular ailments to take folic acid (5 mg/day) and vitamin B12 (1 mg/day) or a placebo. Researchers found folic acid/vitamin B12 supplementation reduced homocysteine levels and improved endothelial function (activity of cells in blood vessel walls).2

A fifteen-year study followed 5,000 healthy individuals (35 to 79 years old) to evaluate the relationship between folate levels and cardiovascular health. Individuals with low folate levels were more likely to develop cardiovascular ailments (69% increase in risk).[3]

An eight-week treatment of B vitamins, including folic acid (5 mg/day), vitamin B12 (1000 mcg/day), and vitamin B6 (300 mg/day) was given to 17 subjects with elevated homocysteine levels. Vitamin B supplementation reduced homocysteine levels by 50% and decreased thrombin enzymes that can block arterial blood flow.[4]

Additionally, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) has shown significant benefits in maintaining blood pressure levels. A clinical trial gave 20 patients with abnormal blood pressure and 9 patients with normal blood levels vitamin B6 for four weeks. Results indicated vitamin B6 reduced blood pressure in patients with abnormal levels.[5]

Cognitive Health

Vitamin B deficiencies can affect several aspects of cognitive function, including memory, mood, and anxiety, as B vitamins aid the production of chemicals that sustain cognitive performance.[6]

A nine-year study assessed the cognitive function of 3,718 individuals (65 years and older), in relation to niacin deficiency. Researchers found low niacin intake was related to mental decline, as individuals with low levels were 70% more likely to experience cognitive decline.6

One study reviewed the effects of a vitamin B complex on reducing oxidative stress in the brain. A fourteen-day treatment with B vitamins or a placebo was given to 48 patients with reduced cerebral blood flow caused by tissue inflammation. Researchers found that B vitamins had antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that lowered homocysteine levels in patients with reduced circulation.[7]

One month of vitamin B supplementation was given to 58 patients with cognitive impairments. The study concluded that B vitamins reduced homocysteine levels and indicated a longer period of supplementation could enhance immune system activation to support healthy cognitive function.[8]

Vitamin B6 (20 mg/day) was given to 38 male subjects (70-79 years old) for three months to assess the effects on mood and mental performance. Researchers indicated vitamin B6 had the greatest effect on memory, especially long-term memory.[9]

Another three-year study followed 370 healthy subjects (75 years and older) not taking vitamin B12 and folate to evaluate the association between low vitamin B levels and memory impairments. Researchers found vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies were significantly related to cognitive decline among subjects.[10]

Immune Function & Wound Healing

B vitamins are crucial to optimum immune function such as biotin, folate, and vitamin B6. Biotin shows immune benefits by augmenting the immune cells response to antigens (foreign substances that stimulate antibodies).[11]

Folate supplementation restored age-related decreases of lymphocytes in rats. Three-weeks of folate supplementation augmented the production of T cells, proliferation of immune cells, and production of cytokines suggesting dietary folate may aid immunity in older individuals.[12]

The effects of vitamin B6 (50 or 100 mg/day) or a placebo on the immune response were reviewed in 51 ill patients. Results indicated vitamin B6 supplementation could boost the immune response by stimulating the production of immune components, including T-cells.[13]

A vitamin B complex can benefit the wound healing process. Thirty patients with periodontal damage took a vitamin B complex or a placebo for 30 days finding greater improvement in healing was associated with B vitamins.[14]

Additional Information – Dosage & Interactions

Suggested Use

As a dietary supplement, take one tablet daily, or as directed by a physician.

Dosage

Biotin – 30 to 1,000 mcg per day

Choline - Up to 1,200 mg per day

Folate – 400 mcg per day

Inositol - Up to 300 mg per day

Niacin – Up to 2 g per day

Pantothenic Acid – 10 to 50 mg per day

Para-Aminobenzoic Acid – 50 to 1,000 mg per day

Riboflavin – Up to 100 mg per day in divided doses

Thiamin - Up to 200 mg per day in divided doses

Vitamin B6 – 2 mg to 20 mg per day

Vitamin B12 – Up to 5,000 mcg per day

Precautions

The maximum safe dosage of this supplement has not been determined for children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe liver or kidney disease. As with all supplement regimens, please consult your physician prior to use.

Biotin - There are no known adverse reactions with proper supplementation.

Choline - Nausea, diarrhea and dizziness may occur in large doses.

Folate – Women of childbearing age, pregnant women, and nursing mothers should take 400 to 1,000 mcg of Folate per day.

Inositol - Pregnant women should avoid inositol, as it may stimulate uterine contractions.

Niacin - May increase blood flow in the face, neck, and chest causing a burning, tingling, or itching sensation. Niacin may also cause heart palpitations, dizziness, sweating, nausea, insomnia, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and liver ailments.

Pantothenic Acid – Diarrhea may occur in large doses.

Para-Aminobenzoic Acid – Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fever, and rash have been reported in individuals taking high doses of PABA.

Riboflavin – High doses of Riboflavin (400 mg per day) can cause diarrhea and polyuria.

Thiamin – Pregnant women should avoid doses of thiamin greater than 3 mg per day.

Vitamin B6 – High doses of vitamin B6 can cause nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, loss of appetite, and breast soreness.

Vitamin B12 – Individuals with Leber's disease (eye problems) should not use.

Drug Interactions

Consult your physician before taking Vitamin B Complex if you are taking the following medications.

Biotin – Antibiotics, Anticonvulsants

Choline - Methotrexate

Folate – Anticonvulsants, Cholestyramine, Colestipol, Colchicine, Fluoxetine, Lithium, Lometrexol, Metformin, Methotrexate, NSAIDS, Phenytoin, Pyrimethamine, Sulfasalazine.

Inositol - There are no known interactions with proper supplementation.

Niacin - Alpha-blockers, Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, Anti-diabetic medications, Calcium channel blockers, Cholestyramine, Colestipol, Coumadin (Warfarin), Ganglionic blocking agents, Gemfibrozil, Nicotine patch, Nitrates, NSAIDS, Statins.

Pantothenic Acid – There are no known interactions with proper supplementation.

Para-Aminobenzoic Acid - Sulfonamides

Riboflavin – Cholestyramine, Chlorpromazine, Colestipol, Doxorubicin, Metoclopramide, Nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors, Oral Contraceptive Agents, Probenecid, Propantheline Bromide, Quinacrine, Tricylclic Antidepressants

Thiamin – Loop diuretics (furosemide, ethacrynic acid, bumetanide)

Vitamin B6 – Amiodarone, Carbamazepine, Cycloserine, Ethionamide, Fosphenytoin, Hydralazine, Isoniazid, Levodopa, Oral Contraceptives, Penicillamine, Phenelzine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Theophylline, Valproic acid.

Vitamin B12 – Antibiotics, H2 blockers, Aminosalicylic Acid, Metformin, Nitrous oxide, Proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, etc.) may all decrease vitamin B12 absorption.

*Statements made herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

[1] Ellis, JM, McCully, KS. Prevention of myocardial infarction by vitamin B6. Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol. 1995 Aug; 89(2):208-220.

[2] Chambers, JC, Ueland, PM, Obeid, OA, et al. Improved vascular endothelial function after oral B vitamins: An effect mediated through reduced concentrations of free plasma homocysteine. Circulation. 2000 Nov; 102(20):2479-2483.

[3] Morrison, HI, et al. Serum folate and risk of fatal coronary heart disease. JAMA. 1996; 275(24):1893-1896.

[4] Undas, A, et al. Treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia with folic acid and vitamins B12 and B6 attenuates thrombin generation. Thromb Res. 1999 Sep; 95(6):281-288.

[5] Aybak, M, Sermet, A, et al. Effect of oral pyridoxine hydrochloride supplementation on arterial blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension. Arzneimittelforschung. 1995 Dec; 45(12):1271-1273.

[6] Morris, MC, Evans, DA, Bienias, JL, et al. Dietary niacin and the risk of incident Alzheimer's disease and of cognitive decline. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2004 Aug; 75(8):1093-1099.

[7] Ullegaddi, R, Powers, HJ, Bariballa, SE. B-group vitamin supplementation mitigates oxidative damage after acute ischaemic stroke. Clin Sci. 2004 Nov; 107(5):477-484.

[8] Frick, B, Gruber, B, et al. Homocysteine but not neopterin declines in demented patients on B vitamins. J Neural Transm. 2006 Nov; 113(11):1815-1819.

[9] Deijen, JB, van der Beek, EJ, et al. Vitamin B-6 supplementation in elderly men: effects on mood, memory, performance and mental effort. Psychopharmacology. 1992; 109(4):489-496.

[10] Wang, HX, Wahlin, A, et al. Vitamin B12 and folate in relation to the development of Alzheimer's disease. Neurology. 2001 May; 56(9):1188-1194.

[11] Wiedmann, S, Eudy, JD, Zempleni, J. Biotin supplementation increases expression of genes encoding interferon-gamma, interleukin-1beta, and 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase, and decreases expression of the gene encoding interleukin-4 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. J Nutr. 2003 Mar; 133(3):716-719.

[12] Field, CJ, Van Aerde, A, Drager, KL, et al. Dietary folate improves age-related decreases in lymphocyte function. J Nutr Biochem. 2006 Jan; 17(1):37-44.

[13] Cheng, CH, Chang, SJ, et al. Vitamin B6 supplementation increases immune responses in critically ill patients. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2006 Oct; 60(10):1207-1213.

[14] Neiva, RF, Al-Shammari, K, et al. Effects of vitamin-B complex supplementation on periodontal wound healing. J Periodontol. 2005 Jul; 76(7):1084-1091.