B5/B6 COMPLEX
PLUS MINERALS
The B-complex vitamins are a group of water-soluble vitamins, namely thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), folic acid, biotin and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12). Choline and inositol are commonly grouped under the term "B-Complex" also. Being water soluble, these vitamins are not stored in the body and must be consumed each day. The B-complex vitamins occur naturally together in a complex way in human tissues. Because of this complex relationship a deficiency of one of the B vitamins may impair the functions of the others. For this reason Vitafit B5/B6 Complex comprises each of the B-complex vitamins.
Functions of the B-Complex Vitamins
The B-Complex vitamins are essential for the metabolism of fat, carbohydrate and protein into energy. They are also essential for the normal functioning of the nervous system and for maintaining healthy nerves, skin, hair, eyes, liver and mouth and for good muscle tone of the gastrointestinal tract.Being water-soluble the B vitamins can be lost during preparation and cooking processes, by leaching out into the soaking or cooking water. Up to 50% of certain vitamins may be lost in this way.Requirements for the B vitamins increase due to certain factors including infection and at times of stress and fatigue. Alcohol, sulphur drugs, sleeping pills, oral contraceptive pills, insecticides and excess exposure to pollution can all alter absorption and/or metabolism of certain B vitamins.
Each B vitamin also has its unique biological role and properties, some of which are described below.
Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
An often overlooked but key member of the B-complex vitamin family, thiamine is known as vitamin B1 because it was the first B-vitamin discovered. Thiamine is essential for converting the carbohydrate in foods into energy. It also plays a role in maintaining healthy nerves. Thiamine is the major B complex vitamin to be affected by alcohol intake. Thiamine is required for the metabolism of alcohol; hence a large intake of alcohol increases the need for thiamine, as well as influencing the absorption and in some cases intake (if alcohol replaces a wholesome food intake). Severe thiamine deficiency causes the disease beriberi.
Thiamine supplements may improve mood, according to a recent US study of young women who were not thiamine-deficient. More than 100 university-age women took either 50mg of thiamine a day or a placebo for two months. An improvement in thiamine status was associated with reports of being more clearheaded, composed and energetic (1).
Older people are often mildly deficient in thiamine. A recent New Zealand study found that taking just 10mg a day of this vitamin for three months led to lowered blood pressure, weight loss, better-quality sleep and increased energy levels in people over the age of 65. No improvements were seen in those given the placebo (2).
Niacin (Vitamin B3)
Niacin is needed to release energy from carbohydrates. It is also involved in controlling blood sugar, keeping skin healthy, and maintaining the proper functioning of the nervous and digestive systems. A slight niacin deficiency can cause patches of irritated skin, appetite loss, indigestion and weakness. Severe deficiencies result in pellagra, a debilitating disease. Niacin tends to dilate the capillaries, causing a tingling, hot flush reaction on first taking. This may last up to 30 minutes and although startling, after taking niacin for a period of time you will habituate to it.
In a double-blind, placebo controlled study of niacinamide’s effect on osteoarthritis, researchers found that people who took it for
12 weeks experienced more joint flexibility, less inflammation and less need for anti-inflammatory drugs than those who were given a placebo (3).
Biotin and Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
Both words have Greek connections; pantothenic is from pantos, which means ‘everywhere’, and biotin is from bios, which means ‘life’. These vitamins are found in many foods, deficiencies are virtually nonexistent. Intestinal bacteria also produce biotin, provided the digestive system is healthy. Biotin and pantothenic acid are involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and protein from foods and in the production of various enzymes. Biotin plays a special role in helping the body use glucose, its basic fuel, and it also promotes healthy nails and hair. The body needs pantothenic acid to maintain proper communication between the brain and nervous system and to produce certain stress hormones. During long periods of emotional upset, depression or anxiety increases the need for pantothenic acid, which is used to manufacture these hormones. Because stress is a factor in quitting smoking, migraines and chronic fatigue, pantothenic acid may be useful for these conditions.
Biotin can increase the thickness of nails by an average of 25% according to a study from Switzerland. Six months of biotin supplements improved brittle nails in two-thirds of the study’s participants (4).
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
This remarkable nutrient is probably involved in more bodily processes that any other vitamin or mineral. Vitamin B6, unequivocally the ‘workhorse’ of nutrients. It functions primarily as a coenzyme, a substance that acts in concert with enzymes to speed up chemical reactions in the cells. Vitamin B6 is also involved in the formation of red blood cells. B6 works in conjunction with folic acid and Vitamin B12 to help the body process homocysteine, an amino-acid-like compound that has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and other vascular disorders when large amounts are present in the blood. Lack of vitamin B6 has been associated with stress, anxiety and depression.
Woman taking oral contraceptives may have especially low levels of vitamin B6. Mild deficiencies can raise homocysteine levels, increasing the risk of heart and vascular diseases. (5).
Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
Also known as cobalamine. In the late 1940’s, it was identified as a substance in calf’s liver that cured pernicious anaemia, a potentially fatal type of anaemia primarily affecting older adults. Vitamin B12 is the only B-vitamin the body stores in large amounts, mostly in the liver. Vitamin B12 is essential for cell replication, particularly red blood cells. It maintains the protective sheath around nerves (myelin), helps to convert food to energy, and plays a critical role in the production of DNA and RNA, the genetic material in cells. As many as 20% of older people are thought to be deficient in vitamin B12, and most of them have no symptoms. As people age, they sometimes develop a condition called atropic gastritis, which reduces stomach acid production. Without enough acid the body can’t separate vitamin B12 from the protein in foods. Vitamin B12 comes almost exclusively from animals and animal products, hence vegans can eventually develop a vitamin B12 deficiency state.
Having a sufficient amount of vitamin B12 in the body may slow the progression of HIV infection to AIDs, according to a study of 310 HIV-positive men. On average, those with low B12 levels developed AIDS within four years of the study, versus eight years in men who had higher B 12 levels (6).
Folic Acid
The body cannot store Folic Acid for very long; you need to replenish your supply daily. Cooking, or even long storage, can destroy up to half the folic acid in foods. In the body, folic acid is utilised thousands of times a day to make blood cells, heal wounds, build muscle – in fact, it is necessary for every function that requires cell division. Folic acid is critical to DNA and RNA formation, and assures that cells duplicate normally. It’s especially important in fetal development, and also helps to produce key chemicals for the brain and nervous system.
Though relatively rare, a severe folic acid deficiency can cause a form of anaemia (megaloblastic anaemia). Alcoholics and people who have malabsorption diseases (Crohn’s, celiac disease), are susceptible to a severe deficiency.
A preliminary study from Oxford University hints that folic acid may play a role in preventing Alzheimer’s disease. People with the disease tended to have lower blood levels of folic acid and vitamin B12 than healthy people of the same age.
Minerals
Certain minerals included in Vitafit B5/B6 Complex. Due to their close relationship with these vitamins in a variety of bodily functions, including the metabolism of energy from food, nervous system function and many enzymic reactions
The other nutrients in Vitafit B5/B6 complex act in similar ways to improve body function. In particular, chromium is essential for the proper utilisation of sugar, acting as a co-factor with insulin to remove glucose from the blood into the cells, essential for energy. Molybdenum acts to help excretion of uric acid and help iron metabolism. Biotin is involved in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. Inositol is essential for heart function. Choline is involved in the production of the neural transmitter, acetylcholine.
Vitafit B5/B6 Complex is a comprehensive formula designed for coping with the stress of modern day living.
Directions
Take 1 capsule, twice during the day; or as professionally prescribed. Best to be taken with food.
Supplement Facts
At the time of manufacture, each 2 capsules contained not less than:
Pantothenic acid (B5) (calcium pantothenate) 100mg
Pyridoxine (B6) 100mg
Cyanocobalamin (B12) 50mcg
Thiamine (B1) 25mg
Riboflavin (B2) 25mg
Calcium pangamate 20mg
Calcium (citrate) 50mg
Magnesium (chelate) 50mg
Potassium (chelate) 15mg
Zinc (chelate) 15mg
Selenium (chelate) 100mcg
Chromium (polynicotinate) 125mcg
Molybdenum (chelate) 25mcg
Boron (chelate) 500mcg
Biotin 100mcg
Folic acid 200mcg
Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) 20mg
Inositol 15mg
Choline 15mg
Nicotinic acid 40mg
Horsetail 25mg
References
(1) Benton D, Griffiths R, Haller J. Thiamine supplementation mood and cognitive function. Psychopharmacology 1997 Jan;129(1):66-71.
(2) Wilkinson TJ, Hanger HC, Elmslie J, George PM, Sainsbury R. The response to treatment of subclinical thiamine deficiency in the elderly. Am J Clin Nutr 1997 Oct;66(4):925-8.
(3) Jonas WB, Rapoza CP, Blair WF. The effect of niacinamide on osteoarthritis: a pilot study. Inflamm Res 1996 Jul;45(7):330-4.
(4) Hochman LG, Scher RK, Meyerson MS. Brittle nails: response to daily biotin supplementation. Cutis 1993 Apr;51(4):303-5.
(5) Steegers-Theunissen RP, Boers GH, Steegers EA, Trijbels FJ, Thomas CM, Eskes TK. Effect of sub-50 oral contraceptives on homocysteine metabolism: a preliminary study. Contraception 1992 Feb;45(2):129-39.
(6) Tang AM, Graham NM, Chandra RK, Saah AJ. Low serum vitamin B-12 concentrations are isolated with faster human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease progression. J nutr 1997 Feb;127(2):345-51.
The Healing Power of vitamins, Minerals and Herbs. Reader’s Digest. Sydney, Australia 2000.
Krause, MV. Mahan, L.K., Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy. Sixth Edition. W.B. Saunders and Company. Philadelphia. 1979.
Richardson, Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness. 1981.
Truswell AS, Recommended Nutrient Intakes Australian papers. Australian Professional publications. Sydney. 1990.
Whitney EN, Hamilton EMN, Rolfes SR, Understanding Nutrition. Fifth Edition. West Publishing Company. St. Paul 1990.
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