B Vitamins

What is Vitamin B?

Eight different vitamins make up a vitamin B complex. Each separate B vitamin has a different function. That is why one can buy individual B vitamins or all of them together in a complex.

There are two kinds of vitamins in general fat soluble and water soluble.

Fat soluble vitamins A, D, E & K are absorbed through the intestines with the help of lipids (good fats). They are then stored in the liver and fat and are slower to leave your body than water soluble vitamins. That is why, when taking supplements like A, D, E & K, you need to make sure you don't take too much. (Also taking things like copper can be easily overdone; so one should probably do some research before taking various supplements)

Water soluble vitamins, such as B or C, dissolve easily in water. Sorry here, but that is why urine is much more potent and changes colors when one is taking a vitamin such a B complex. These vitamins leave the body rapidly and therefore need to be replaced often by either diet or supplements. One reason supplements have become so popular and important is that even when we try to eat healthy our food is not always as fresh as we would like to believe, it takes a long time to get to us and then sits on a shelf waiting to go to our home, meanwhile losing many nutrients. Also when we cook food it tends lose a lot of nutrition. Foods high in vitamin B are numerous. Vitamin B is found in meat, animal byproducts, grains and vegetables. The confusing part is that there are so many different B's it take allot of research to figure out which B vitamins are coming from which foods but if you are really determined you can figure it out.

Vitamin B has many benefits. My personal favorites are increased energy and metabolism. Vitamin B also helps to lower stress and ease PMS, a benefit my family greatly appreciates. It has always amazed me that vitamin B seems to be recommended more often than anything else when researching an ailment. Vitamin B has been shown to be beneficial in aiding the effects of depression, carpal tunnel syndrome, heart disease, strokes, fibrocystic breast, ringing in the ears, fatigue, and much more.

Vitamin B supplements come in a variety of potentcies and combinations. Vitamin B complex 50 is probably the most well rounded and basic. Most of the time (depending on the manufacture) it contains a combination of the b vitamins at a dosage appropriate for most people. Vitamin B 100 is normally the same combination as B complex 50 just made at a higher dosage for people with a more severe B deficiency. Vitamin B absorption can be hindered by factors such as drinking and smoking. The majority of people are deficient in B vitamins. B vitamins are water soluble and if you get to much one will probably flush out the excess with no problem. That being said one could get to much B vitamin and that can result in nasty side effects. A link to a great resource for Vitamin B complex side effect is located in my reference box. It is rare but there is such a thing as vitamin B overdose.

I feel the need to point out that my knowledge of supplements is a passion not a profession. I have studied this subject a great deal and will always personally attest to benefits of supplements.

By Sierra Miller