| The group of vitamins collectively known as B-complex includes all of the essential water-soluble vitamins except for vitamin C.
When first discovered, it was thought that this group of vitamins was a single nutrient, and it was given the name vitamin B. Later, it was discovered this was actually a group of compounds with unique structures, features and functions, and they were given individual names and numbers.
Today, we consider the following B-vitamins to be essential to human health: thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), biotin, folic acid and the cobalamins (vitamin B12). Three other nutrients choline, inositol, and PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) - are considered by most nutritional experts to be part of the B-complex group, although they have not been established as essential in humans.
B-complex vitamins are essential for a vast range of functions in the body from energy production, to cellular replication, to metabolism, and more. Several of the B vitamins, including B12, folate, and thiamine have been shown to be deficiency risks with weight loss surgery. Under certain conditions such as stress, poor dietary intake, and malabsorption there may be an increased need for B vitamins above and beyond the RDA.
Some physicians, therefore, will recommend the use of a B-complex product over and above the levels in a multi-vitamin.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. | |
