To maintain good brain health and well being, B complex is the way forward, according to the science.

B complex for brain health

The brain is the body’s most complex organ. It serves countless purposes in our survival and well-being, contributing to everything from cognitive processes, memory formation, retention and emotional responses. It would be impossible to go about our lives without a healthy brain, which makes it imperative that we take steps every day to care for it (1).

Some of the ways we can keep our brains healthy are through activities like exercising, getting quality sleep, staying mentally active, and having a well-balanced diet (2).

Eating the right food can be especially beneficial to brain health as food provides the brain with the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to work efficiently and recover from stress. Vitamin B Complex for brain health (also known as a collection of the core B vitamins) is of particular interest because of its relationship with brain function and the synthesis of neurotransmitters (3). However, because consistently eating a well-rounded diet that contains enough of the B vitamins can be challenging for many Australians, vitamin supplements can be a viable addition to the diet to support you in getting the Vitamin B Complex benefits for brain health that you need.

The rest of your body benefits from taking Vitamin B Complex for brain health as well, considering this vitamin is actually a collection of eight B vitamins. Each vitamin serves its own purpose to different organs and body systems. When taken together in a single supplement, the health benefits are manifold as the health mix is more potent, thus doing much more than only delivering one single nutrient to the body at a time.

If you’re thinking about how you can start taking advantage of Vitamin B Complex for brain health and your overall well-being, read on as we explain it in detail.

Breaking down Vitamin B Complex basics

In order to exploring Vitamin B complex for brain we must first become familiar with the eight individual B vitamins that make up this health cocktail and their unique contributions to our well-being.

Thiamin (B1)

Thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1, helps convert glucose into energy and has a role in nerve function (4 ).

Riboflavin (B2)

Riboflavin, or Vitamin B2, is primarily involved in energy production and helps with vision and skin health (4).

Niacin (B3)

Niacin is essential for the body to convert carbohydrates, fat, and alcohol into energy. It helps maintain skin health and supports the nervous and digestive systems (4).

Pantothenic acid (B5)

Pantothenic acid helps our body metabolise carbohydrates, fats, proteins and alcohol. It also helps with the production of red blood cells (4).

Pyridoxine (B6)

Vitamin B6 is required to metabolise proteins and carbohydrates. It also assists with the formation of red blood cells and certain brain chemicals as well, while influencing brain processes and development, immune function and steroid hormone activity (4)

Biotin (B7)

Biotin, or Vitamin B7, is needed for energy metabolism, fat synthesis, amino acid metabolism and glycogen synthesis (4).

Folinic acid (B9)

Folate or folic acid is required to form red blood cells. It also helps with the development of the fetal nervous system, as well as DNA synthesis and cell growth (4). When taken in its activated form, these Vitamin B9 health benefits are made even more potent.

Cyanocobalamin (B12)

Cyanocobalamin helps break down some fatty acids and amino acids to produce energy. It also helps to produce and maintain the myelin surrounding nerve cells, mental ability, and red blood cell formation (4).

Activated Vitamin B complex for the brain

Vitamin B complex supports brain health, especially vitamins B6, 9 and 12. It has been found that they help break down an amino acid called homocysteine, high levels of which signal increased likelihood of brain diseases (6).

It has also been linked to the body’s ability to produce brain cells, an essential process that keeps us mentally sharp. More so, the presence of homocysteine suggests a vitamin B deficiency, a condition that can be addressed via supplementation that focuses on getting you enough Vitamin B Complex for brain health (5).

Vitamin B7’s relationship to brain health has been similarly examined, and it was found that it also contributes to neurotransmitter functioning and ensuring that the brain is able to process nerve signals correctly and respond accordingly (6). In its totality, Vitamin B Complex benefits for the brain include the general maintenance and support of brain health and function. More so, this supplement’s activated form comes packed with even more benefits for your whole body. Vitable Australia’s Activated B Complex supplement comes in a it’s most bioavailable form and aids energy production, supports a healthy immune system, maintains your nervous system health and supports natural liver detoxification processes in the body.

Eating your way to brain health with Vitamin B Complex

Taking supplements of Vitamin B Complex for brain health can be convenient, however, it’s important that you prioritises getting this vitamin by eating healthy wholefoods, too. Supplementation works best when paired with a well-balanced diet. Hence, it’s important to learn what kinds of ingredients to always have in your kitchen in order to consume more meals that pack ample amounts of  Vitamin B Complex benefits for brain health. Highlighted below are food sources for Vitamins B6, 7, 9, and 12 which have been found to be especially important to brain functioning (4).

Food sources for Pyridoxine (B6)

Vitamin B6 has many common food sources. If you eat animal proteins, then you’ve likely consumed it from meals consisting of seafood, fish and shellfish, as well as poultry. It’s also possible to adjust your snacking habits to include more wholegrains, nuts or other goodies that incorporate legumes (think healthy veggie chips or baked goods made out of legumes). Collectively, these foods all contain ample amounts of Vitamin B6, a crucial component of Vitamin B Complex for brain health.

Food sources for Biotin (B7)

Consume more Vitamin B complex that targets the maintenance of brain health by eating more food packed with VItamin B7, more commonly known as Biotin. It can be found in specific cuts of meats and other animal-sourced foods. Having appropriate servings of tendon or liver, or even making an organic broth with bone and cartilage, as they are potent sources of this vitamin. If dietary or lifestyle choices restrict you from consuming animal products, Biotin can also be found in mushrooms, cauliflower, and peanuts.

Food sources for folate (B9)

Get your Vitamin B9 dose from fresh produce. Green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits are some of your best bets if you want to increase your intake of Vitamin B Complex to support brain health. Eat veggies raw in salads and snacks or incorporate them in main dishes, and eat citrus fruits on their own, juice them, or enjoy recipes for healthy desserts that make use of them.

Food Food sources for Cyanocobalamin (B12)

Vitamin B12 is most frequently sourced from animal products. Different kinds of animal meats (including organ meats like liver) as well as eggs and dairy products contain high sources of this vitamin. However, vegetarians and vegans may have difficulty getting enough Vitamin B12 through these sources, making Vitamin B Complex for brain health supplements a good alternative.

Now that you’ve been given a preview of the essential functions of several B vitamins that make up Vitamin B Complex for brain health, you can better appreciate the importance of eating healthily and taking supplements for the support and maintenance of brain health and function. Though a well-balanced diet is still the best way to get all the nutrients the brain needs, supplementation may be an option worth exploring.

You can ensure that your body and brain gets Vitamin B Complex for brain health with Vitable Australia’s Activated Vitamin B Complex supplement. Vitable Australia’s vitamin subscription service allows you to get all of the vitamins and minerals you need to your health goals and needs. They offer personalised vitamin packs that can be delivered straight to you, making achieving a healthier lifestyle more convenient and attainable for Australians.

*Always read the label and follow directions for use. If you experience any symptoms or if symptoms persist, talk to your health professional. Vitamin and/or mineral supplements should not replace a balanced diet.

References:

1. John Hopkins Medicine. “Brain Anatomy and How the Brain Works”.John Hopkins Medicine. Published (n.d.) on https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/anatomy-of-the-brain. Accessed December 21, 2021.

2. Mayo Clinic Health System. “5 tips to keep your brain healthy”. Mayo Clinic Health System. Published (n.d.) on https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/5-tips-to-keep-your-brain-healthy. Accessed December 21, 2021.

3. Vitable. “Vitamin B-Complex”. Vitable. Published (n.d.) on https://research.vitable.com.au/b-complex. Accessed December 21, 2021.

4. Better Health Channel. ”Vitamin B”. Better Health Channel. Published (n.d.) on https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/vitamin-b . Accessed December 21, 2021.

5. Harvard Health Publishing. “Don’t buy into brain health supplements.” Harvard University. Published September 2019. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/dont-buy-into-brain-health-supplements . Accessed January 1, 2022.

6. Nutrients. “B Vitamins and the Brain: Mechanisms, Dose and Efficacy—A Review.” US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. Published in January 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4772032/ . Accessed January 1, 2022.