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A high-quality vitamin B complex supplement will provide, in one convenient pill, a full
range of B vitamins, including biotin, choline, folic acid, inositol, PABA (para-aminobenzoic
acid), and the six "numbered" B vitamins--vitamin B1 (thiamin), B
2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic
acid), B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 (cyanocobalamin).
Combination products can simplify the process of taking individual B vitamins for a range of
ailments including alcoholism, depression, diabetes, hair problems, lupus, multiple sclerosis,
and stress.
Vitamin B complex products are generally available in two forms: B-50s and B-100s. In a
B-50 complex, look for a minimum of the following: 400 mcg folic acid, 50 mcg B12
and biotin, and at least 50 mg of all the other B vitamins. Generally twice this
amount is found in B-100 complexes, except for the folic acid (400 mcg), which remains the
same. A B-100 typically contains 100 mcg B12 and biotin, and 100 mg
of all the other B vitamins.
While convenient, combination B vitamin products can produce an unpleasantly strong
vitaminlike odor and cause queasiness if taken on an empty stomach. To minimize these side
effects and enhance absorption, take this vitamin pill with food. A bright yellow hue to
the urine following a B-complex vitamin is a harmless side effect of the riboflavin (B
2).
General Dosage Recommendations
As with all medications and supplements, check with your healthcare provider before giving
vitamin B1 supplements to a child.
Daily recommendations for dietary vitamin B1 are listed below.
Pediatric
Adult
Doses for conditions like beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome are decided by your
healthcare practitioner in an appropriate clinical setting. For Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome,
thiamine is administered by venous injection under a health care provider's supervision.
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The B vitamins help to maintain the health of the nerves, skin, eyes, hair, liver, and mouth,
as well as healthy muscle tone in the gastrointestinal tract and proper brain function.
B complex vitamins are coenzymes involved in energy production, and may be useful for alleviating
depression or anxiety. Adequate intake of the B vitamins is very important for elderly people
because these nutrients are not as well absorbed as we age. There have even been cases of
people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease whose problems were later found to be due to a
deficiency of vitamin B12 and the B complex. The B vitamins should always
be taken together, but up to two ro three times more of one B vitamin than another can be taken
for a particular disorder. Although the B vitamins are a team, they are also discussed
separately.
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
1 B-100 complex with 100 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin; 400 mcg folic acid; and 100 mg all other B vitamins. This size will provide the extra B3 and B6 recommended.
Alcoholism
1 B-50 pill each morning and evening with food. Each pill should supply 50 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin, 400 mcg folic acid, and 50 mg all other B vitamins.
Alzheimer's Disease
1 B-100 pill a day with food.
Anxiety & Panic
1 B-50 pill each morning with food. Each pill should supply 50 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin, 400 mcg folic acid, and 50 mg all other B vitamins.
Canker Sores
1 B-50 pill each morning.
Chronic Pain
1 B-50 pill twice a day with food. Each pill should supply 50 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin, 400 mcg folic acid, and 50 mg all other B vitamins.
Crohn's Disease
1 B-50 complex twice a day with food. Each pill should supply 50 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin; 400 mcg folic acid; and 50 mg all other B vitamins.
Depression
1 B-50 pill twice a day with food. Each pill should supply 50 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin, 400 mcg folic acid, and 50 mg all other B vitamins.
Diabetes
1 B-100 complex with 100 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin; 400 mcg folic acid; and 100 mg all other B vitamins.
Epilepsy
1 B-50 pill each morning and evening with food. Each pill should supply 50 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin, 400 mcg folic acid, and 50 mg all other B vitamins.
Fatigue
1 B-50 complex with 50 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin; 400 mcg folic acid; and 50 mg all other B vitamins.
Hair Problems
1 B-50 pill twice a day with food. Each pill should supply 50 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin, 400 mcg folic acid, and 50 mg all other B vitamins.
Heart Disease Prevention
1 B-50 complex with 50 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin; 400 mcg folic acid; and 50 mg all other B vitamins; may be partially covered by your daily mulitvitamin.
Infertility, Female
1 B-50 pill each morning with food. These nutrients may already be covered by your daily multivitamin.
Multiple Sclerosis
1 B-100 pill twice a day for flare-ups; then reduce to 1 pill each morning as maintenance. Each pill should supply 100 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin; 400 mcg folic acid; and 100 mg all other B vitamins.
Nail Problems
1 B-50 pill each morning with food. Should supply 50 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin, 400 mcg folic acid, and 50 mg all other B vitamins.
Psoriasis
1 B-50 complex twice a day with food. Each pill should supply 50 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin; 400 mcg folic acid; and 50 mg all other B vitamins.
Rosacea
1 B-50 pill each morning with food. Should supply 50 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin, 400 mcg folic acid, and 50 mg all other B vitamins.
Stress
1 B-100 once a day. Each pill should supply 100 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin; 400 mcg folic acid; and 100 mg all other B vitamins.
Smoking
1 B-50 pill twice a day with food. Each pill should supply 50 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin, 400 mcg folic acid, and 50 mg all other B vitamins.
MoonDragon's Health Information: Nutrition Basics - Vitamins Index
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