So why would you chose a B Complex?

B vitamins have become an essential group of vitamins to help us cope with modern day life. There is more stress, more anxiety, more depression than I have ever seen in my 25 years working professionally within the natural products industry. People also seem to have less energy, they are consuming less nutrients in their daily diets and more toxins in the form of chemicals, petro chemicals and other toxic byproducts than ever.

So why a B Complex?

Collectively the B complex group of water soluble vitamins play a crucial role in regulating many physiological processes in the body. The B vitamins, along with vitamin C and magnesium, are required for enzyme activation in converting food into energy. B vitamins are also essential in supporting adrenal function, liver detoxification, and neurotransmitter production. 

Which B complex is best?

There are some fantastic B complexes on the market, such as Solgar Vitamins Megasorb B complex and my personal favourite the Terranova B complex with Vitamin C.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

ENERGY PRODUCTION (ATP) – thiamine in the form of thiamine diphosphate (TDP) is required for ATP production. It is essential in the conversion process of pyruvate through to Acetyl-CoA – this then feeds into the Kreb’s cycle.

BRAIN FUNCTION – thiamine is essential for proper energy production in the brain. Deficiency has been shown to induce impaired mental function, and in severe cases psychosis. Up to 30% of all cases entering psychiatric wards are deficient in thiamine. Thiamine mimics the important neurotransmitter involved in memory, ACETYLCHOLINE. Low plasma thiamine concentrations have repeatedly been observed in patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer’s type, but were not found in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

ANTIOXIDANT – riboflavin has powerful antioxidant potential due its ability to regenerate GLUTATHIONE via glutathione reductase. Riboflavin deficiency is associated with increased lipid peroxidation; supplementation of riboflavin can inhibit this process.

NEUROTRANSMITTER PRODUCTION – important neurotransmitters such as DOPAMINE are riboflavin dependent.

ENERGY PRODUCTION (ATP) – FAD plays a crucial role in energy production within the Kreb’s cycle, where it helps generate an enzyme converting succinate into fumarate.

Vitamin B3 (Nicotinic Acid)

ENERGY PRODUCTION (ATP) – NADH is formed from NAD producing energy via ATP production

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

ADRENAL SUPPORT - Vitamin B5 is the main nutrient for nourishing the adrenal glands. It is needed by the adrenal glands to make glucocorticoids, this may be the reason that B5 is known as the anti-stress vitamin.

ENERGY PRODUCTION - Pantothenic acid is crucial for energy release through the production of coenzyme A (CoA) and acyl carrier protein (ACP), two compounds known for their importance in protein, fat, and carbohydrate utilisation.

 Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

DEPRESSION – vitamin B6 nutritional status has a significant and selective modulatory impact on central production of both serotonin and GABA, neurotransmitters that control depression, pain perception, and anxiety. Vitamin B6 levels are often found to be low in women taking birth control pills or Premarin. It is likely that many millions of people taking Prozac may be suffering depression as a result of low B6 status.

 Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

ANXIETY / DEPRESSION – nervousness and anxiety may be associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause depression, especially in the elderly. Vitamin B12 is needed for the production of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH₄), an essential coenzyme required for the manufacture of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. The supplementation of folic acid and vitamin B12 stimulate the production of BH₄.

 NERVE FUNCTION – vitamin B12 is necessary for support of the nervous system and plays a crucial role in the manufacture of MYELIN an insulating layer (consisting of protein and fatty acids) surrounding nerves. The purpose of the myelin sheath is to allow rapid and efficient transmission of impulses along the nerve cells.

 Choline

NEUROTRANSMITTER PRODUCTION – choline is essential in the manufacture of the important neurotransmitter acetylcholine and main components of our cell membranes, such as phosphatidyl choline.

 LIPOTROPIC – As a methyl donor, choline is essential for proper liver function i.e. exporting fat from the liver.

Inositol

NEUROTRANSMITTER PRODUCTION – Inositol is essential in the manufacture of the important neurotransmitter acetylcholine and serotonin. A reduction in brain levels of inositol may induce depression. Inositol exists in cell membranes as phophatidylinositol.

 LIPOTROPIC – As a methyl donor, choline is essential for proper liver function i.e. exporting fat from the liver.

PABA

DIGESTIVE SUPPORT- Para Amino Benzoic Acid is an essential growth factor for micro-organisms. It forms part of the molecule of folic acid and is therefore required for the synthesis of this vitamin.

 ADRENAL SUPPORT - PABA has been reported to enhance the effects of cortisone, thus may be helpful in supporting adrenal function.

Biotin

ENERGY PRODUCTION – Biotin-dependent enzymes are involved in the metabolism sugar, fat, and amino acids.

 BLOOD SUGAR CONTROL – Biotin supplementation enhances insulin sensitivity and increases the activity of the enzyme glucokinase (needed for the first step in glucose metabolism by the liver).

Folic Acid

CARDIOVASCULAR PROTECTION – Folic acid plays a key role in protecting the cardiovascular system by regulating body concentrations of homocysteine, an intermediate in the conversion of the amino acid methionine to cysteine. The lower the folic acid intake the higher homocysteine levels rise increasing the risk of atherosclerosis (artery furring). Homocysteine would appear to promote atherosclerosis by directly damaging the artery and reducing the integrity of the vessel wall. Elevated levels of homocysteine are found in 20% to 40% of patients with heart disease.

DEPRESSION – Folic acid exerts a mild anti-depressant effect and correcting deficiency has brought about dramatic results in mental and psychological symptoms in patients, especially the elderly suffering from impaired mental function. Its anti-depressant effects are due to its function as a methyl donor and increasing the brain content of serotonin, SAM (S-adenosyl-methionine), and BH4 (tetrahydrobiopterin). BH4 functions as an essential coenzyme in the activation of enzymes that manufacture monoamine neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine from their corresponding amino acids. E.g. tryptophan > 5HTP > serotonin.

Vitamin C

 ENERGY PRODUCTION - Vitamin C is a critical nutrients in supporting energy production and countering fatigue. It has been demonstrated that sub-optimal vitamin C status results in an impaired working capacity which can be normalised by restoring vitamin C pools.

STRESS – supplemental vitamin C is supportive during stress due to it being utilised in the manufacture of adrenal hormones.

Terranova's edge - The Power of Magnifood

Each Terranova nutritional product is enhanced with its own synergistic complex of botanicals and phytonutrient rich foods, called Magnifood. Magnifood ingredients are combined in a manner which enhances the body’s biochemical environment in order to maximize the potential benefits of the product’s vitamins, minerals and/or other nutrients. Many of the plants used in Magnifood are fresh freeze dried. Research shows that fresh freeze drying has the unique ability to retain a plant’s enzymes, and is shown to be superior to other drying methods in terms of activity, stability, solubility and preservation of a plant’s original fresh chemistry (as it was when the plant was harvested).

THE MAGNIFOOD ADVANTAGE

- enhancing absorption, bioavailability, utilization, activity, stability, function and effect of the product‘s nutrients

- providing synergistic enzymes and co-factors crucial to the utilization and functions of the product’s nutrients

- providing a vast array of phytonutrients that enhance the potential functions and/or applications of the product

- providing ingredients which enhance the overall content of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in the product

- protecting ingredients from oxidative damage, helping to support the stability and activity of the product’s nutrients

While Magnifood is a scientifically advanced innovation, its origins are deaply rooted in holistic principles. Within each Magnifood complex, the marriage between science and holism produces remarkable effects - effects which are powerfully active, delicately balanced and intensely, profoundly synergistic. But don’t just take our word for it.

In order to get the most out of nutritional supplementation it’s necessary to achieve an intense state of synergy in the body. Synergy occurs when an interaction between compounds produces effects that are greater than the combined individual effects of each one. To provide its optimum effect, each vitamin, mineral or any other nutrient must be efficiently absorbed, distributed, metabolized and utilized and must participate in a wide array of synergistic interactions with enzymes, co-factors, other nutrients, etc. However, because factors such as genetics, diet, lifestyle, gender, age and stress levels affect the body’s ability to generate a high level of synergy, the effectiveness of a supplement can vary significantly from person to person.

So it’s the environment in the body which dictates how beneficial a supplement will be - and this fact has been the driving force in the development of every Terranova product. The key ingredients in Terranova’s nutritional supplements are not just the nutrients. Each product also contains its own unique complex of plant ingredients that is designed to a) enhance absorption, distribution, activity metabolism, utilization and function of the nutrients, and b) to help the body to achieve an intense state of synergy.

In order to enhance the functions, effect and overall value of nutritional supplementation, Terranova developed the intensely synergistic innovation
MAGNIFOOD.