Ultimate Vegan B Complex

“Vitamin B complex” is simply a term used to describe supplements that contain all the essential B vitamins. These eight vitamins are:

Vitamin B1 (thiamin)

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)

Vitamin B3 (niacin)

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

Vitamin B7 (biotin)

Vitamin B9 (folate and folic acid)

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)

You might notice that the numbering of the vitamins does not correspond to how many there are. This is because other vitamins that were once considered B vitamins have since been removed from the list.

When you see a product labelled as vitamin B complex, it should contain all of the vitamins listed above in specific doses.

The B vitamins are essential to maintaining good health. Some key areas of the body benefited by B vitamins include:

The nervous system

The skin and eyes

The blood

Additionally, B vitamins play an important role in releasing energy from the foods we eat.

Vitamin B complex benefits for women

For women, B vitamins have some specific benefits. Vitamin B9 (folate and folic acid) is recommended for women who are pregnant, or who are trying to get pregnant because folic acid helps to prevent birth defects.

Vitamin B complex benefits for men

B vitamins offer no benefits that are specific to men, other than that they contribute to general good health. As a note, men generally need to consume slightly higher doses of B vitamins than women.

A deficiency may be caused by a limited diet or another health condition that prevents the body from properly absorbing all the essential B vitamins. You are more at risk of low vitamin B if you have a condition such as coeliac disease, HIV, Crohn’s disease, or inflammatory bowel disease.

Symptoms of a general vitamin B deficiency include:

Skin rashes

Cracking and scaly skin round the mouth and lips

Swelling of the tongue

Fatigue

Anaemia

Confusion

Low mood

Nausea

Cramps

Diarrhoea

Constipation

Numbness in the feet and hands

These kinds of symptoms can point to lots of different conditions, not just a vitamin B deficiency, so if you’re experiencing them you shouldn’t self-diagnose. Instead, make an appointment to speak to your doctor.

Many different foods contain B vitamins, which is why most people should be able to get enough through their daily diet alone.

Key foods that contain B vitamins include:

Eggs

Wholegrain bread

Oats

Milk

Fish

Chicken

Leafy green vegetables

Peas

Broccoli

If you follow a restricted diet – for example, you don’t eat any animal products – you may find it difficult to consume all the B vitamins you need.

Taking supplements such as Wellgard Ultimate B Complex can help to round out your diet, ensuring that you get all the nutrients you need to stay fit and healthy. Just remember: supplements shouldn’t be taken as a substitute for a balanced diet.

For people with a severe deficiency caused by another condition, it’s best to get medical advice before taking vitamin B complex supplements as your doctor may have an alternative treatment. In the case of a specific B12 deficiency, for instance, B12 injections may be prescribed.