Deficiency states of certain B vitamins (B12 in particular) increase in frequency with age but can occur at any age depending on many modifiable factors[13]. The use of oral supplementation of B vitamins provides a clinically relevant input, where sub-clinical and clinical deficiency exists[14],[15].
There are multiple interactions between the eight B vitamin forms, and collective ingestion via supplementation or enhanced ingestion through appropriate food selection are well recognised to assist with optimisation of need.
Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are still among the healthiest foods on the planet, but consumers may not be getting the nutrients they’re counting on from plant-based foods because of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide and intensive farming practices. And if these nutrient declines continue, some people may be at elevated risk for developing deficiencies in certain nutrients or less able to protect themselves from chronic diseases through good nutrition[16].
In the absence of an optimal diet, administration of the entire B vitamin group, at doses in excess of the minimums recommended to avoid deficiency is a rational approach for preserving brain function, immune competence and health.
Michael Ash, NutriLink
Good advice re making sure your B complex is up to optimal levels. Check your multi has enough in, or add a B Complex to it. Try not to take individual Bs without the others as they work synergistically together. If you do need eg. extra B12 or B6, make sure you also take a multi or separate B complex supplement. Check your multi against the kind of levels in that B complex – it should be about that. If too low, it’s not doing that much to help you. One of my fave multis if I’m making sure B vits especially are boosted: 1-3 per day of this one.