Product - B-Complex Gold

General Questions about B Vitamins

What are B vitamins?

B vitamins are a set of nutrients that function as coenzymes, which means that they assist and allow enzymes to carry out their intended functions in the body.  There are eight B vitamins—Thiamin (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pyridoxine (B6), Folate (B9), B-12, Biotin and Pantothenic Acid (B5).  While each B vitamin has its own unique role in the body, many of the B vitamins work synergistically with each other to support cellular energy, cardiovascular and cognitive functions, and healthy hair, skin, and nails.

What are some risk factors for a B vitamin deficiency?

Evidence from human research shows that a significant proportion of the populations of developed countries suffer from deficiencies or insufficiencies in one or more of this group of vitamins. Unfortunately, today’s over-reliance on refined and processed foods can provide a challenge to optimal B vitamin intake. Individuals that are at risk for B vitamin deficiency include alcoholics and those with gastrointestinal disorders such as persistent diarrhea, malabsorption syndromes, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.  Pregnant women and senior citizens may also be at greater risk of deficiency. Strict vegetarians sometimes require B12 supplementation given that B12 is mainly found in animal products.

Are there any food sources of B vitamins?

The best way to obtain most essential B vitamins is to consume a plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables (leafy greens), seeds/nuts, and whole grains. Active forms of vitamin B12, however, are mainly found in animal products and are generally not present in plant-based foods. Many people today simply do not meet the daily requirement for B vitamins, making supplementation often necessary to support optimal health.

What is the recommended dietary allowance for B vitamins?

Is there an established upper toxicity limit for B vitamins?

The Upper Tolerable Limit (UL), established by the Food and Nutrition Bard (FNB) of the Institute of Medicine, is considered to be the highest amount you can take of a nutrient without theoretical risk. Currently, the only B vitamins that have an established UL are Niacin (B3), Pyridoxine (B6) and Folic acid.  The other five B vitamins do not have an established UL due to a lack of reports showing negative effects from high intake amounts.

*UL —The UL is not based on mcg DFE, but on mcg of synthetic folate, such as folic acid or methylfolate. There is no UL for natural folate. Consequently, if a product made with folic acid lists 1,000 mcg DFE, it only contains about 600 mcg of folic acid (which is far below the adult UL of 1,000 mcg of synthetic folate).

Can a B Complex supplement be taken with OTC or prescription medications?

If you are taking or planning to take an OTC or prescription medication, please consult a licensed pharmacist or your healthcare provider before beginning supplementation to minimize risk of side effects associated with potential supplement-drug interactions.

Still have questions?

• For general information about B Vitamins, check out the resources below—
• B Vitamins — Medline Plus
• Vitamins — Linus Pauling Institute
• B Vitamins — Harvard School of Public Health
• For specific guidance on the suitability of B vitamins to support your particular health goals, please talk to your healthcare provider

Questions about B Complex Gold

What are the sources of the B vitamins in B-Complex Gold?

B-Complex Gold is a gentle and nourishing form of plant-based B vitamins that are derived entirely from natural food sources (e.g. organic lemon peel, guava fruit, etc.) —they are not synthetic B vitamins fermented, grown or cultured in yeast or a blend of organic foods fortified with synthetic B vitamins and marketed as “whole-food” or “food-based” B-Complex. The only exception is vitamin B-12, which is synthetic and  produced by microbial fermentation of multiple species of propionibacterium. The full list of organic foods from which our B vitamins are derived is included in the ‘Organic Food Blend’ on the supplement facts panel and on the product page on our website.

How is B-Complex Gold different from other  B-Complex supplements?

The most important distinction between the different commercially-available B-Complex supplements, including B-Complex Gold, is the source of the B vitamins in the product—in other words, were the B vitamins made in a lab using chemicals or derived from a living food source? The vast majority of commercially available B-Complex supplements provide B vitamins that were created in a lab using chemicals. Except for the B12, all the other B vitamins in B-Complex Gold are derived entirely from natural food sources—no synthetic B vitamins are used at any point during the production process.

Regardless of what “else” may be in a B-Complex product (e.g. food powders, nutritional yeast) or how the product is marketed (e.g. whole-food, food-based, real food, raw food), almost all B-Complex supplements can be broadly categorized based on the source of the B vitamins in the product —

Categories 1 to 3 represent over 95% of B-Complex supplements that are currently available in the industry and include nutrients that have been synthesized using industrial chemicals and solvents. For example, synthetic vitamin B3 (niacin) is typically created in a lab using coal tar derivatives, 3-cyanopyridine, and ammonia.  Even though the products in Categories 2 and 3 may be marketed as “whole food,” “food based,” or some kind of food “derivative,” the fact remains that synthetic B vitamins are used at some point in the production process—either at the beginning as a starting material and/or to fortify the end product so it meets label claims. 

At NutriGold, we understand “synthetic” vitamins to be man-made vitamins that are created in a lab using industrial chemicals and “natural” vitamins to be vitamins that are extracted, concentrated, or otherwise derived from living food sources. The primary difference between man-made vitamins and natural vitamins is that man-made vitamins are created in a lab and are not always structurally similar to vitamins that occur in nature. Synthetic vitamin isolates do not always have the necessary cofactors for their proper utilization by the body; the body has to reconstruct the vitamins using its own reserve of cofactors, and this can, over time, lead to inadvertent nutrient depletion. Furthermore, synthetic vitamins can sometimes result in GI disturbances, nausea or a metallic aftertaste.

B-Complex Gold is made from non-GMO verified, organic foods. Other than B12, all of the B vitamins are derived from food and formulated as part of a food blend. The result is a form of plant-based nutrition that is gentle and easy-to-digest. When formulating our vitamin products, we mindfully choose organic foods as the starting material for our micronutrients. However, our vitamin B12 is an exception to this because there are no known biologically-active, plant sources of B12. B-Complex Gold provides vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin & adenosylcobalamin, both of which are synthetic and produced by microbial fermentation of multiple species of propionibacterium. 

In addition, B-Complex Gold is certified C.L.E.A.N., which is an acronym that stands for Conscious (or safe), Live (minimally processed and predominantly organic), Ethical (Non-GMO), Active (includes bioavailable enzymes as determined by CytoSolve technology), and Nourishing (as determined by the ANDI score).

What is the source of vitamin B9 in B-Complex Gold?

Given the confusion that exists over the use of the terms folic acid and folate when describing or marketing vitamin B9 supplements, we would like to begin by clarifying the difference between folate and folic acid as described in the scientific literature. Folic acid and folate are used interchangeably as they are both forms of vitamin B9, but there is an important difference. According to the American Pregnancy Association, folic acid is the synthesized version that is commonly used in processed foods and supplements; it is man-made and does not occur naturally in foods. Folate, on the other hand, can be found in whole foods such as leafy vegetables, eggs, and citrus fruits. The vitamin B9 in our product is from organic food sources (e.g. lemon peel extract, spinach). To eliminate confusion, we simply refer to this nutrient on our labels as "Vitamin B9 (from organic food blend)". No synthetic folic acid is added to our products at any point during the production of our finished product.

What are methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin?

Methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin are biologically active forms of vitamin B-12 in the human body. Our products feature both bioactive forms for broad-spectrum benefits. Overall, methylcobalamin supports cardiovascular function, neurological health, and emotional wellness. Adenosylcobalamin is found in cellular tissues where it is stored in the mitochondria and supports cellular energy production.

Are synthetic or lab-made nutrients used at any point during the production of B-Complex Gold?

Except for the B12, which is synthetic because a natural, vegan source is not commercially available, all of the other nutrients in our B Complex Gold product are derived from non-genetically modified, organic food sources. No other synthetic isolates are not used at any point during the production of B-Complex Gold.

Should B-Complex Gold be taken with food?

The micronutrients in B-Complex Gold are derived from organic foods and are gentle enough to be taken anytime, even on an empty stomach. However, as a matter of principle and in the interest of your health and safety, we encourage you to consult your healthcare provider prior to supplementation to determine what use, if any, is best for your individual needs.

Does the niacin in B-Complex Gold produce a flush?

Niacin (Vitamin B3) is a water-soluble vitamin that is composed of niacin (or nicotinic acid) and niacinamide. Although niacin and niacinamide have similar functional benefits, their pharmacological properties differ. While niacin has vasodilating properties that can produce the characteristic "niacin" flush, niacinamide does not have this property and, therefore, does not produce flushing. The vitamin B3 in our B-Complex product is sourced from organic foods and provides both niacin and niacinamide. Although individual experiences can and do vary with any supplement, our B-Complex Gold is generally well-tolerated and reports of “flushing,” are less common than with synthetic niacin supplements.

Why does B Complex Gold provide 36 mcg of vitamin B12 per serving when only 2.4 mcg is the RDA for adults?

Customers are often directed to look for higher amounts of vitamin B12 because only about 1% is passively absorbed in the human body. So, even though our B-Complex Gold product provides 36 mcg of vitamin B12 per serving, not all of it is utilized by the body. In fact, we are sometimes asked why we do not include more B12 in our multivitamin products, given that no upper intake level (UL) has been set by the Food & Nutrition Board for vitamin B12 due to its low level of toxicity. (Source - https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-B12) We recognize that we are all unique individuals with often varied nutritional needs and we encourage all of our customers to consult with a licensed healthcare provider to determine what micronutrients they may or may not be lacking and what amounts are appropriate for their needs.

Can individuals with a known or suspected MTHFR gene mutation take B-Complex Gold to get the recommended daily value of folate?

There is some controversy with regard to the form of B9 that is best suited for individuals with a known or suspected MTHFR gene variant. According to the American Pregnancy Association, some women have a defect in their MTHFR gene that doesn’t allow them to properly convert synthetic folic acid into active methyl folate. As such, women taking folic acid may not be absorbing their B vitamins as expected. For this reason, it is preferable to take folate either from whole food sources (e.g. green leafy vegetables) or supplements that contain the natural form of active folate instead of synthesized folic acid whenever possible. 

However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common variant in the MTHFR gene is MTHFR C677T and these are the 5 most important things to known about this variant —

1. People with MTHFR C677T variants can process all types of folate, including folic acid.
2. Folic acid is the only type of folate shown to help prevent neural tube defects.
3. MTHFR gene variants are common.
4. All women of reproductive age who could become pregnant should consume 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid each day, including those with an MTHFR C677T variant
5. Sometimes a woman may still have a baby with a neural tube defect even though she consumed the recommended 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid; the defect may be unrelated to the MTHFR gene variant or folate status.

Supplements containing forms of folate other than folic acid (such as 5-MTHF) should not be confused with the natural food folate found in fruits and vegetables. The effectiveness of these [5-MTHF] supplements in preventing neural tube defects has not been studied. For more information on the difference between folic acid and folate, please click here. 

The form of B9 in our product is not the methylated form. While it can help bridge nutritional gaps in the diet, support good health, and help minimize the risk of folate deficiency when taken in conjunction with a diet that includes folate-rich foods, we regret we do not have any information on and cannot make any recommendations regarding the use of our product by individuals with a known or suspected MTHFR gene variant. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the folate form in our products, we ask that you discuss those concerns with your healthcare provider prior to supplementation so you can make an informed purchasing decision on the form of folate that will best support your particular health goals. 

What is a pullulan capsule? What is it made of?

Pullulan is a vegetable-derived, water-soluble polysaccharide produced through a natural fermentation process. Pullulan capsules are considered more natural than HPMC (cellulose) capsules because they are naturally derived from fermented tapioca. Unlike cellulose capsules, which are considered semi-synthetic and not permitted in certified organic products, pullulan is included in the USDA’s National Organic Program list of accepted ingredients for organic products. 

What is the purpose of the organic rice concentrate?

Although we make every effort to manufacture products without any additives, we sometimes need to add an additive for optimal ingredient flow during manufacturing and to ensure finished product integrity. While many supplement companies prefer to use chemical additives like magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide, we prefer to use organic rice concentrate from USA-grown brown rice bran, which is naturally hypoallergenic and gluten-free. The rice concentrate is only added on an as-needed basis to ensure product integrity and is always declared in the spirit of authentic transparency on the product label.

Is B-Complex Gold suitable for children (under 18 years of age)?

B-Complex Gold is formulated for individuals over 18 years. Because children are considered a vulnerable population, we regret we cannot make any recommendations regarding the use of our products by or for children under the age of 18. We ask that you talk to your pediatrician or family practitioner about whether or not B-Complex Gold is suitable and safe for your child’s particular healthcare needs prior to supplementation.