Vitamin B complex is a supplement that a lot of people take daily. But have you ever stopped to think about what this vitamin does to the body, and why we need to take it? More than that, is there also the best time to take vitamin B complex? Find out the answers to these questions and more, by continuing through the article below.
What Is Vitamin B Complex?
Vitamin B complex is a combination of essential water-soluble vitamins except vitamin C. This means that it doesn’t refer to a single type of vitamin, but to a combination of different B vitamins.
One interesting thing about vitamin B complex is that for a long time, it was thought to be just a single vitamin. Later on, researchers found that it was in fact several different types of vitamins, so they designated each vitamin with a number. This is why we have vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B12, which you might be familiar with. These designations refer to thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, and the combination of biotin, folic acid, and cobalamins.
Despite being B vitamins, each of these vitamins have their own functions in the body. Vitamins B1, B2, B3, and biotin help the body produce energy. Vitamin B6 helps the body metabolize carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, while B12 and folic acid are crucial for cell division. And aside from these, they also have numerous other roles in the body. This is the reason why our bodies need B vitamins1. Finally, this vitamin improves nerve/brain function.
Another thing about B vitamins is that these vitamins aren’t stored in the body. The reason behind this is that they are water-soluble vitamins. In contrast, other vitamins, such as A, D, E, and K, are fat-soluble, so they can be stored inside the body2.
B vitamins can also be easily destroyed through cooking and processing food. One example of this is that whole-grain bread tend to have more B vitamins compared to bread made with processed white flour.
Because of these factors, people typically take vitamin B supplements since it’s a much easier and convenient way for them to get their daily requirements.
When Is the Best Time to Take Vitamin B Complex?
You might have heard about choosing the best time to take vitamin B complex. Proponents of this practice say that the best time would be to take it in the morning, before breakfast, since it could be more readily absorbed by the body.
Based on studies, it is actually in fact better to take vitamin B complex in the morning and before breakfast. But not necessarily because it’s more readily absorbed by the body. One of the reasons is that vitamin B complex stimulates both brain function and metabolism. This means that taking it in the morning can help provide your body with energy that you’ll need throughout the day3.
The second reason is that taking the supplement before breakfast helps stimulate your metabolism. What this means is that your body will be more able to digest your breakfast properly, so you can get as much nutrition as you can from your first meal4.
Though, this doesn’t mean that you should avoid taking vitamin B in the afternoon or at night. There are no harmful effects if you do so, and you will still gain the benefits of these vitamins regardless of when you take them.
Should You Take Vitamin B supplements?
When it comes to taking vitamin B supplements, the question you need to ask yourself is “Do I eat a balanced diet?” This is because most people can readily get all the B vitamins they need by eating a healthy, balanced diet.
Though this isn’t always the case, as sometimes our diets change, and we can’t always have access to the healthiest foods. In these situations, vitamin supplements can help provide the nutrition that our diet can’t always give.
Learn more about Healthy Eating and Nutrition Facts here.
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