Advanced B Complex - AOR

Key Benefits at a Glance:

• Prevents age-related collagen degeneration
• Maintains cellular energy production
• Supports the function of the brain and nervous system
• Contains the most effective forms of B vitamins

Product Description:

The B complex is a group of essential vitamins with important roles in the body. Benfotiamine (a bioavailable form of vitamin B1) helps prevent cellular damage caused by high blood sugar. Riboflavin (B2) has an important role in energy metabolism. Niacin (B3) is the base of NAD and NADH, important coenzymes that are required in cellular respiration and energy production pathways. Coenzyme A is also a critical factor in these pathways, and its production depends on pantothenic acid (B5). P5P (B6) is required in many biological pathways, including amino acid metabolism and neurotransmitter formation. Methylcobalamin (B12) contributes to healthy nerve function. Benfotiamine and P5P help prevent the formation of advanced glycation end products which lead to age-related degeneration. Folic acid, B6 and B12 help reduce harmful homocysteine levels. Folic acid is needed for red blood cell and DNA formation and is essential during pregnancy.

The Costs of Deficiency

The importance of these vitamins is illustrated by the detrimental health effects that occur when they are deficient. B1 deficiency has been linked to type 2 diabetes. B12 deficiency leads to neurological disorders and anemia. P5P deficiency is associated with depression and neuropathy. Folic acid deficiency is associated with anemia and neural tube defects in infants.

Vitamins in Forms your Body can Use

B vitamins are essential, and it is important to get the right amount in the right forms. Advanced B Complex delivers the biologically active and most efficient forms of these vitamins.

The B-complex is an officially recognized grouping of eight essential vitamins.

Vitamin B1 (a.k.a. thiamin): Thiamin is required to convert glucose and amino acids into energy as well as to develop red blood cells and maintain muscle tissue. Thiamin deficiency has been linked to Type II Diabetes, particularly in the formation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), which occur at an abnormally high rate among diabetics. Benfotiamine is a form of thiamin that has been shown in studies to be 5 times more bioavailable than regular thiamin. In fact, clinical trials have demonstrated that benfotiamine can improve nerve function by 30% and decrease nerve pain by 50% among diabetics(5).

Vitamin B2 (a.k.a. Riboflavin): While playing a role in the energy metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, B2 is particularly active in skin and vision health. B2 has long been used as an adjunct in the reduction of neonatal jaundice and has recently been added to anti-migraine protocols as well.

Vitamin B3 (a.k.a. Niacin): The derivatives of B3 form the basis of the oxidized and reduced forms of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+ and NADH), which are essential in the process of cellular respiration and energy formation. B3 also plays an essential role in DNA repair, removing toxic chemicals from the body, and assisting in hormone production. Niacin is also effective at inhibiting the release of lowdensity lipoproteins (or LDL [bad] cholesterol) into the blood from the liver, making it a reliable choice for hyperlipidemia.

Most niacin supplements are in nicotinic acid form, which has been associated with a ‘flushing’ effect, an unpleasant warming and itching of the skin when taken at significant doses. Inositol hexanicotinate is a form of niacin that is free of this effect.

Vitamin B5 (a.k.a. Pantothenic acid): B5 is needed to form coenzyme A (later becoming acetyl-CoA), which is central to cellular respiration and energy production. Vitamin B5 has also been shown to have a positive effect on cholesterol levels, including lowered total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

Vitamin B6 (a.k.a. Pyridoxine): Pyridoxal-5’-phosphate is the active coenzyme form of B6, and is a catalyst for at least 113 known essential enzymatic reactions in the body. These include the metabolism of all endogenous amino acids. P5P is also important for the proper metabolism of essential fatty acids as well as the formation of red blood cells and neurotransmitters, making P5P a factor in optimal cognitive function as well. A deficiency in vitamin B6 can lead to anemia, depression, dermatitis, hypertension, elevated levels of homocysteine and water retention, insomnia, premenstrual tension, irritability, muscle twitching, convulsions, and kidney stones. B6 has been successfully studied for its ability to enhance the immune system and alleviate the symptoms of autism, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), anemia, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), hyperhomocysteinemia and other conditions.

Vitamin B12 (a.k.a. Cyanocobalamin): Vitamin B12 has distinguished itself among the B-vitamins by its specific effects on neurological health. B12 is also very  important to the methylation cycle. Methylcobalamin is the active coenzyme form of B12.

Vitamin B9 (a.k.a. folic acid or folate): Folic acid is needed for the synthesis of new red blood cells (which carry oxygen throughout the body) and DNA. Folic acid is often prescribed during pregnancy, as it reduces the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida in the fetus. A deficiency can also lead to megaloblastic anemia, a specific form of anemia caused by the inhibition of DNA synthesis in red blood cell production, as well as elevated levels of homocysteine.

Vitamin B7 (a.k.a. biotin): Biotin is another B vitamin that is involved in the metabolism of protein, carbohydrates and fats, and finally, although not strictly a vitamin, choline is an essential nutrient that is often grouped with the B-complex.

Choline & Inositol: Choline, a nitrogen-based organic compound that is found in the lipids of cell membranes, is a member of the B-vitamin family without a numeric designation. It plays an important role in the structural integrity of cells as well as in the movement of essential lipids across cell membranes, in important metabolic processes and in the synthesis of the key neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Inositol was also once considered a member of the b-vitamin family but now is not since the body can produce it. It is an important component of structural lipids and signaling molecules.

In summation, the B-complex family of vitamins is essential to processing and disseminating the fuel required to keep the evolutionist miracle known as the human body in constant operation. Maintaining the proper intake of this group of vitamins is indeed essential for keeping that operation as optimal as possible for as long as possible.

AOR offers the most potent B complex available on the market. One of the significant differences between AOR’s Advanced B Complex and other formulas is that the B vitamins are in the optimal dosages in order for them to have a potent effect in the body. Each of the B vitamins is in its co-enzyme form making it accessible for the body to use immediately.

Research

A study that investigated the role that B vitamins play in mitigating the effects of occupational stress on the body found that after individual differences in personality and work demands were statistically controlled, the vitamin B complex groups reported significantly lower personal strain and a reduction in confusion and depressed/dejected mood after 12 weeks(3).

The study examined for the first time the efficacy of 3 months administration of two forms of high dose vitamin B complex on mood and psychological strain associated with chronic work stress. The results of the study are consistent with two previous studies examining multivitamin supplementation and personal (non-work) feelings of strain and suggestive of significant decreases in the experience of workplace stress after 90 day supplementation of a B multivitamin. Sixty participants completed the 3-month, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in which personality, work demands, mood, anxiety and strain were assessed.  Given the direct and indirect costs of workplace stress, these findings point to the utility of a cost-effective supplement for the mood and psychological strain effects of occupational stress(3).

Supplement Facts:

Serving Size: 3 Veg. Capsule

Non-Medicinal Ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, silicon dioxide, sodium stearyl fumarate. Capsule: hypromellose, chlorophyll.

AOR Guarantees: that no ingredients not listed on the label have been added to the product. Contains no wheat, gluten, corn, nuts, peanuts, sesame seeds, sulphites, mustard, dairy, soy, eggs, fish, shellfish or any animal byproduct.

Suggested Dose and Usage:

Take 1 capsule one to three times daily with food, or as directed by a qualified health care practitioner.

Warnings And Contraindications:

Consult a health care practitioner for use beyond 8 weeks. People with thiamine hypersensitivity should not take this product.

Pregnancy/Nursing: Consult a health care practitioner

Notice: The products and information found on www.zwell.ca are not intended to replace professional medical advice or treatment.  These statements have been evaluated by Health Canada but have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at this point.  Our natural health supplements and products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or medical condition.  Individual results may vary.  For the complete disclosure statement click here.

Additonal Learning And Information:

1. The Best Mix Of B Vitamins (from AOR)

References:
1.    Bertolini S, Donati C, Elicio N, et al. “Lipoprotein changes induced by pantethine in hyperlipoproteinemic patients: adults and children.” Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol. 1986 Nov; 24(11): 630-7.
2.    Kira J, Tobimatsu S, Goto I. Vitamin B12 metabolism and massive-dose methyl vitamin B12 therapy in Japanese patients with multiple sclerosis. Intern Med. 1994 Feb; 33(2): 82-6.
3.    Stough C et al. The effect of 90 day administration of a high dose vitamin B-complex on work stress. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2011 Oct;26(7):470-6.
4.    Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine and pyridoxal 5′-phosphate) – monograph. Altern Med Rev. 2001 Feb;6(1):87-92.
5.    Winkler G, Pal B, Nagybeganyi E, Ory I, Porochnavec M, Kempler P. “Effectiveness of different Benfotiamine dosage regimens in the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy.” Arzneimittelforschung. 1999 Mar; 49(3): 220-4.