"B" Functional
B Vitamins are critical for your body to work correctly, but our
modern diets aren't providing the levels we need. Thus the need for a
good supplement.
When you take a B vitamin you would assume that your body was using all of it. Think again...
Most B vitamin supplements are as useless as the “g” in lasagna...or
decaf coffee...who needs that? That’s why Activated-B has pre-activated
forms to ensure maximum usage.
It also contains natural folates, not synthetic folic acid (which may
be dangerous), making Activated-B a safe, and potent source of vitamin
B.
The various B vitamins work
together like keys that unlock different enzyme reactions in the body
that support a healthy metabolism. The Standard American Diet (SAD) has
ridiculously low levels of B vitamins. Combine that with stress,
medications and just general aging and that leads to far lower B vitamin
levels. Without sufficient B vitamins the body’s chemical processes get
slow and inefficient and that’s just not a great situation to be in
when it comes to your overall health.
B vitamins are a family of water-soluble nutrients that were
discovered together at the beginning of the 20th century, initially
thought simply to be “vitamin B.” As nutrition advanced, however, it was
learned that they are in fact a family of compounds, each with a
distinct role to play in promoting health. B vitamins are now known to
play critical roles in modulating biochemistry and metabolism, and
represent the most common vitamins utilized by the body as co-factors
for facilitating enzymatic function. The modern refined diet, high in
sugar, alcohol, and devitalized foods, leads to lower levels of B
vitamins. Numerous medications and chronic stress may lower B vitamin
levels.
High-risk populations such as vegans or vegetarians, alcoholics, the
elderly, patients with congestive heart failure, or those who have had
bariatric surgeries are at risk for vitamin B deficiencies. While B
vitamins have mainly been researched individually, they also have
efficacious power when taken together. For example, B complex
supplementation has been shown to decrease the levels of homocysteine,
an inflammatory marker in cardiovascular, metabolic and neurological
diseases, such as diabetic nephropathy and Alzheimer’s disease, slowing
the rate of cognitive decline. B vitamins also exhibit analgesic effects
via activating the nitric oxide GMPc pathway.
Hiamin (Vitamin B1)
Vitamin
B1 is needed for energy production, heart function, and the health of
the brain and nervous system. Severe thiamin deficiency is often a
result of heavy alcohol misuse which can lead to serious brain damage
due to its major role in energy production. Animal studies showed that
chronic alcohol application in conjunction with severe thiamin
deficiency resulted in profound changes in neuroimmune genes, with a
moderate to severe increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines within the
thalamus, hippocampus and frontal cortex. B1 also helps remove lead from
the body. Thiamin deficiencies are associated with energy,
cardiovascular, and neurological disorders as vitamin B1 is an essential
co-factor for several energy pathway enzymes to produce ATP.
In an in vitro human clinical study (1 & 2)
mcg/mL of thiamin supplementation on breast cancer cells for 24 hours
significantly reducedcellular proliferation via reducing lactate levels
and upregulating pyruvate dehydrogenase activity.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Antioxidant
Vitamin
B2, also known as riboflavin, is another B vitamin that helps the body
turn food into energy, and is considered a powerful antioxidant.(19) Patients with low thyroid function may have an increased need for vitamin B2, particularly in the activated form known as riboflavin-5-phosphate.(12) Taking riboflavin imparts a yellow color to the urine which is harmless.
Niacinaminde: Antioxidant Aiding Cellular Function and Brain Health*
Niacinamide
is needed to metabolize food (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) and is
an essential factor in central nervous system health and function.
Niacinamide is converted into the coenzymes nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide (NAD) and NADP, which function in oxidation-reduction
reactions. The liver can convert niacin into niacinamide by adding an
amine group. Biological responses to niacin, nicotinic acid and
niacinamide are virtually equivalent when taken in common doses. When
taken in supraphysiological doses they act differently (e.g., 500 mg
niacin for stabilizing lipids).Clinical signs of early niacinamide
deficiency include lack of appetite, muscular fatigue, indigestion,
depression, insomnia, headaches, glossitis, and skin lesions. Severe
deficiency may lead to pellagra, with dermatitis, dementia, diarrhea,
and possibly death (the “4 Ds” of pellagra).
Niacinamide
(also known as nicotinamide) has been shown in research to protect and
even regenerate islet cells of the pancreas and may be helpful for blood
sugar support. The mediation of redox reactions and sirtuin-protein
regulation by NAD+ plays a major role in regulating metabolism and
circadian rhythm, a key factor in brain health.
Concentrations
of NAD+ decrease in the aging process and may be associated with
age-related pathologies, such as neurodegenerative diseases, and
increase in NAD concentrations via nicotinamide supplementation may be
an effective anti-aging therapy and and prevent age-related associated
disorders.
Vitamin B6: For Good Health
Vitamin
B6 in Activated-B is presented as pyridoxine and the activated form
known as pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P5P). Vitamin B6 plays an important role
in vital life processes, which include amino acid metabolism,
hemoglobin production, the efficient functioning of the nervous and
immune systems, and the modulation of blood sugar. B6 supports overall
female hormonal balance and is very useful in the management of PMS, as
well as nausea and vomiting that may accompany pregnancy. Vitamin B6 is
shown to downregulate oxidative stress mechanisms, playing a role in
cognitive function; thus a low serum level of B6 is suggested to play a
role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. The active form of
vitamin B6, (P5P), plays a vital role in the synthesis of several stress
and mood-lated neurotransmitters — GABA, serotonin, dopamine,
epinephrine and norepinephrine — as a necessary cofactor for conversion. Vitamin
B6 deficiency can reduce levels of these neurotransmitters, which may
lead to increased anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders.
Deficiency is also linked to increased levels of homocysteine, and
patients with deficiency exhibited a six-fold higher risk of
cardiovascular disease than healthy patients.
Folate: For Wellness
Folates
are essential cofactors in one carbon metabolism and their deficiency
is associated with health risks such as neural tube defects, cancers and
hyperhomocysteinemia. “Folic acid”
and “folate” are often used interchangeably, but more appropriately,
folic acid refers to the fully oxidized synthetic compound
(pteroylmonoglutamic acid) used in dietary supplements
and in food fortification, while folate refers to the various
tetrahydrofolate derivatives naturally present in foods. It seems that
since the mandatory folic acid fortification of cereal-grain products in
the U.S. in 1998, many breakfast cereals are over-fortified with folic
acid. Consumption of cereal along with other folic acid-containing
beverages and dietary supplements could result in a chronically high
intake of synthetic folic acid. The appearance of unmetabolized folic
acid in the bloodstream following intake of as low as 400 micrograms per
day of folic acid from fortified foods or supplements caused many
scientists to be concerned with the potential health risk of
unmetabolized folic acid since it is thought to aggravate pre-existing
cancers. Research found that folic acid supplementation is associated
with increased cancer risk, especially colorectal cancers, and may
promote preexisting neoplasms. However, there is contradicting evidence
reporting folic acid may be protective against BRCA-linked breast
cancers.
Folate
status plays a vital role in brain health and neurodevelopment from
conception through adulthood as a necessary nutrient for proper DNA
methylation and one-carbon metabolism. Accordingly, we’ve chosen not to
add more synthetic folic acid into the diet, and instead has included
NatureFolate™, a natural folate blend, in Activated-B. NatureFolate™ is
made from a concentrated organic spinach powder containing a blend of
natural folates, including 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) and
5-formyltetrahydrofolate with additional fortified
5-formyltetrahydrofolate as calcium folinate.
In
addition, Activated-B includes the patented folate derivative
Quatrefolic®, an innovative form of folate that has demonstrated high
bioavailability and solubility as well as long lasting stability.
Vitamin B12: A Must Supplement for Strict Vegetarians
Vegetarians
are particularly susceptible to low vitamin B12 levels, as B12 is the
only B vitamin found exclusively in animal products. In particular,
pregnant vegans need to supplement months prior to pregnancy, because
pregnancy increases B12 requirements. Mothers undersupplied with B12 may
have babies with neurological problems. Also, older adults are often
low in vitamin B12. If left untreated, B12 deficiency can manifest in
serious hematological and neurological disorders. Methylcobalamin is the
activated and more bioavailable form of B12 that better supports the
methylation pathways and has been shown to slow cognitive decline and
gray matter atrophy.
Biotin: Strengthening Nails and Balancing Blood Sugar
Biotin
can help strengthen nails in humans by 25% in those with weak or
brittle nails. High-dose biotin supplementation improved postprandial
blood glucose in diabetic animal models, and completely normalized blood
sugar and blood cholesterol levels in gestational diabetic rats.
Pantothenic Acid: For Stress and Wound Healing
Pantothenic
acid, previously known as vitamin B5, is a member of the B complex
family that helps immune function, energy generation, and the body’s
production of stress hormones.