The B vitamins, that is.
Why do they matter?
B vitamins are essential for your body and contribute to all sorts of physiological processes, from gene expression and cellular health to nerve conduction and blood sugar regulation.
There are actually many different B vitamins! While most of the B’s usually go by their B-number name, such as B12, some also have other names. These include biotin, niacin, folate and more. They all support your health in different ways, and often different B’s are required as co-factors in the same pathways for optimal function.
How to get the B’s:
One of the best ways to get your B vitamins through food is by eating a balanced, whole foods diet that includes vegetables, fruit, lean protein, nuts and whole grains.
Supplementation is an additional option, if needed. B vitamin levels vary widely from person to person, so it’s always a good idea to have your levels tested and work with an ND or other integrative provider before doing any supplementing.
Good to know:
- B vitamins are water soluble, meaning your body typically releases what it doesn’t need via the urine.
- Because they’re water soluble, you always want to take B supplements with food. This ensures your body can absorb the B’s and they don’t get washed out.
Pro tip:
The B’s tend to be a little sneaky and can hard to accurately measure. This means you want to work with a doc who understands how to both test and interpret functional markers, as well as how to determine the best supplementation for you – if needed – because nothing is one size fits all.
This blog and website do not provide medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Always check with your own healthcare provider before taking a new supplement and before making any significant diet, lifestyle, exercise or other changes. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on this site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.