Education:
Adequate intake of the B-group vitamins is fundamental to supporting all major biochemical processes in the human body. Practitioners understand the importance of replacing these water-soluble vitamins on a daily basis in order to maintain essential processes of cellular health and functioning, neurotransmitter synthesis, energy production, protein synthesis, metabolism of other essential nutrients, as well as red blood cell and haemoglobin production.
B-group vitamins have biochemically synergistic effects in the body. Although these vitamins are not technically related, they are referred to as a ‘group’ as they are found together in so many foods. B-group vitamins are found in a variety of plant and animal dietary sources, including leafy green vegetables, red meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, legumes and whole grains. It is only cobalamin that is not found in plants. Instead, cobalamin is produced by the bacteria that reside in the guts of ruminants, as well as the human colon.
B Vitamins and Nervous System Health
B vitamins act as coenzymes and have a number of functions in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. Of specific benefit are the B vitamins thiamine and cobalamin which are both essential to the maintenance and function of the nervous system. Deficiencies of either of these B vitamins can result in conditions of neurological dysfunction
Neurotransmitter synthesis requires adequate amounts of thiamine, pantothenic acid and pyridoxine. Pyridoxine is particularly well known for its effects on the adrenergic, serotonergic and glutamatergic systems
B Vitamins and CoQ10 in Energy Production
Thiamine plays a coenzyme role in energy transformation as thiamine diphosphate in several reactions that result in ATP generation.
Riboflavin as the coenzymes flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN) participates in the oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction that occurs during metabolism and energy production.
Niacin as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is involved in energy-producing reactions, including the metabolism of macronutrients and macromolecules.
As an essential precursor to the production of Coenzyme A, pantothenic acid is a major participant in the metabolism of nutrients and the metabolic reactions that result in energy production
The enzyme glycogen phosphorylase, which is required for the release of stored glycogen from the liver and muscles for energy, is a pyridoxine-L-phosphate dependent enzyme.
Cobalamin as 5-Deoxyadenosyl cobalamin is a cofactor required in the conversion of L-methylmalonyl CoA to succinyl CoA. This process is an essential part of the extraction of energy from proteins and lipids.
Coenzyme Q10 is a cofactor in the electron transport chain and in redox reactions involved in producing ATP.
CoQ10 in Cardiovascular Health
Coenzyme Q10 is found in the cell mitochondria and membranes as ubiquinol (reduced) and ubiquinone (oxidised). Organs with the highest metabolism, such as the heart, contain significant amounts of CoQ10. This is due to the action of CoQ10 as an energy transfer molecule. CoQ10 levels reduce with age, genetics, certain medications and cardiovascular diseases
Low endogenous amounts of CoQ10 have been associated with altered cardiovascular health, and its supplementation has been shown to have supportive effects on CV markers. It is thought that these effects are due to its antioxidant properties and its role in cellular energy metabolism and enzymology. CoQ10 has been found to affect nitric oxide metabolism, LDL oxidation and endothelial health.
B Vitamins and Immune system function
Cobalamin and pyridoxine are vital for the functioning of the immune system. Cobalamin has an immunomodulatory action in cellular immunity, influencing cytotoxic cells (natural killer cells, CD8+ and T-cells).10 Cobalamin also has involvement in the production of antibodies which are necessary for the clonal expansion of B-lymphocyte cells required for an effective immune response.
Pyridoxine is necessary for the synthesis of amino acids which are required for producing cytokines. Pyridoxine is also involved in cellular immunity through differentiation, proliferation and activity of lymphocytes, as well as modulation of the Th1 immune response.
Both B-group vitamins are also involved in intestinal immune regulation; pyridoxine does this specifically through mediation of lymphocyte migration to the intestine. Cobalamin is used by gut microbes as a cofactor in metabolic processes.
B vitamins and methylation
The methylation cycle is fundamental to the optimal functioning of the immune, cardiovascular, reproductive and nervous systems, as well as gene expression and regulation. A defect in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme can lead to under-methylation which results in inadequate conversion of folate and limited conversion of other methyl groups. The B vitamins riboflavin, pyridoxine, folate, and cobalamin are essential in supporting a healthy methylation cycle
B Vitamin Deficiency Signs and Symptoms
- Thiamine deficiency can result in beriberi, a disorder with symptoms such as weakness, muscle wasting and peripheral neuropathy
- Deficiency in riboflavin can result in skin disorders, cheilosis, stomatitis, hair loss, oedema of the mouth and throat, blurred vision and altered iron metabolism
- Niacin deficiency can lead to a condition known as pellagra, which includes the symptoms dermatitis, delirium, peripheral neuritis, headaches, confusion, glossitis, angular stomatitis, cheilosis, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
- Pantothenic acid deficiency can, in rare cases, lead to abdominal pain, vomiting and insomnia.
- Deficiency in pyridoxine can result in seborrheic rash, weakness, fatigue, cheilosis, glossitis, angular stomatitis, peripheral neuropathy, hypochromic and microcytic anaemia.
- Biotin deficiency is rare; however, symptoms include dermatitis, alopecia, brittle fingernails and perosis.
- Folate deficiency has been linked with elevated homocysteine, a marker for cardiovascular disease, including arteriosclerosis and increased risk for stroke. Neural tube defect development during pregnancy is associated with folic acid deficiency. Unaddressed folate deficiency can result in megaloblastic anaemia, glossitis, angular stomatitis, oral ulcers, irritability, cognitive decline, depression and fatigue
- Cobalamin deficiency can result in muscle cramps, dizziness, megaloblastic macrocytic anaemia, impaired gastric function, paraesthesia of the hands and feet, ataxia, fatigue, depression and ataxia.
Directions for use
Adults: Take one capsule daily with a meal, or as directed by your health professional.
Allergen Information
- No added: Gluten, Dairy, Soy, Nuts, Egg, Yeast, Sesame. Tree nuts, Peanuts
- Free From: Artificial Flavours, Artificial Colours, Sulfites,
- Vegan Friendly
