If you are at all body-conscious, you probably go out of your way to make sure you eat a nutritious diet. Yet even with careful planning, you may be falling short of getting all the nutrients you need for optimal health. One group of vitamins that is almost universally deficient is the B-Complex vitamins.
B-Vitamins are most plentiful in animal products, so if you are vegan or vegetarian, you most likely need a supplement. Even if you do eat meat, eggs and fish, you may not be eating enough to meet your body’s B-Vitamin requirements.
B-Complex is a group of 8 vitamins that are water-soluble, meaning your body does not store them. When you eat foods rich in B Vitamins, your body takes what it needs, and the rest are eliminated in your urine. Since you cannot store them, they must be replenished on a regular basis, because they are critical for a wide range of metabolic processes in your body.
Each Vitamin in the B-Complex performs specific functions, and some work together for certain processes. Here is a brief rundown of the Great Eight:
- B1 and B2: Vitamin B-1 (thiamin), and Vitamin B-2 (riboflavin) help convert food into energy. B-1 is important for your nervous system function, and B-2 is important for good eyesight.
- B3: Important for your heart, skin, brain and joints, B3 (niacin) also helps convert food into energy and aids in proper digestion.
- B5: Also called pantothenic acid, B5 makes enzymes that are involved in metabolism and helps prevent skin disorders like acne.
- B6: Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) helps convert food into energy and supports your body’s immune function. It is considered an important vitamin for healthy infant brain development during pregnancy and when breastfeeding.
- B7: Commonly known as biotin, Vitamin B7 helps to support adrenal function and maintain a healthy nervous system. B7 is necessary for key metabolic functions, including the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats.
- B9: Folic Acid, or B9, is critical during rapid cell division for growing fetuses, infants and children. Folic acid deficiency in pregnant women can lead to birth defects. B9 is also important for red blood cells, and deficiency can cause anemia.
- B12: Last but certainly not least, B12 (cobalamin) helps regulate your nervous system and plays a role in growth and red blood cell formation. B12 is also necessary for cellular metabolism and DNA synthesis. Often called the energy vitamin, B12 deficiency can cause extreme fatigue, weakness, and depression. B12 deficiency has been linked to dementia, paranoia and neurological damage.
Vitamin B Shots
Because of their water-soluble status and the fact that B Vitamins come from animal sources, getting enough through diet can be a challenge. Even if you take a supplement, B vitamins often do not get completely absorbed in your digestive tract.
One way to ensure you get ample amounts of B Vitamins is to get them by IV infusion. When B Vitamins are infused directly into your bloodstream, they are carried straight to cells throughout your body, bypassing your digestive tract so you get the full benefit of every drop.
Micronutrient IV Therapy in NYC
To make sure you get all the essential nutrients you need to support your busy active lifestyle, visit Advanced Cryo NYC in fashionable SoHo. We offer a wide variety of micronutrient IV cocktails to meet all your nutritional needs. While you visit, be sure to ask about our growing menu of treatments and therapies for health, wellness and beauty.
