Eight B vitamins you need for good health
MORE and more people across the UK are turning to vitamin B to restore their energy and improve their wellbeing — but for some our diet isn’t delivering enough.
That’s why vitamin B complex is now one of the UK’s top three single vitamin supplements, according to researchers Mintel.
The growing popularity of the B vitamins (there are eight of them) is thanks to the fact that they are absolutely necessary for life. For example, if you’re feeling less energetic it could be because you’re short of a B vitamin that helps to maintain your metabolism and contributes to a reduction in tiredness and fatigue.*
Concerned about your cardiovascular health? Vitamin B1 contributes to normal heart function while B2, B6, B9 and B12 contribute to blood formation.
These nutrients also help you look after your skin, hair, nervous system and immune system.
It should be possible to get enough from your daily diet, but unfortunately our bodies can become less good at absorbing them as we get older.
People over the age of 55 need to be especially careful. One in 20 of the over-65s are lacking in vitamin B12, rising to one in ten of the over-75s.
Vegans should also consider a vitamin B12 supplement, as it is only naturally present in animal products and added to some fortified foods. More than 10 per cent of vegans are believed to be deficient in B12.
‘The B vitamins make an astonishing contribution to the functioning of a healthy human body. A whole range of processes depend on them,’ says Miriam Ferrer PhD, head of product development at a science-backed supplement company that’s based in Cambridge.
The first step towards ensuring you are not lacking in any of the B vitamins is to eat a healthy, balanced diet, possibly including fortified foods.
You might also consider taking a high-quality supplement, which will help to ensure that you are getting the right amount of vital nutrients.
‘If you want to stay healthy and active it’s essential you get enough B vitamins. That’s why we’ve included easy-to-absorb versions in our formulation,’ says Adam Cleevely, CEO of the company.
‘We also want to make it as convenient as possible — after all, you don’t want to take a whole handful of pills every day. So we’ve put all eight B vitamins in a one-a-day capsule.’
Reviews of the vitamin B complex supplement on the independent review site Trustpilot have been extremely positive.
‘I am vegan so I decided to give the B vitamins a go,’ says customer Sally. ‘I cannot believe the difference. According to all the pundits, since I have given up eggs, cheese and all dairy products I should be low on energy.
‘The B vitamins are the only addition. Wow, is all I can say.’ * Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7 and B12 all contribute to normal energy-yielding metabolism.