The Buzz on Vitamin B | KGMB9.com | Complex, Get, Energy, People, Feel

The Buzz on Vitamin B

Written by Kim Gennaula - kgennaula@kgmb9.com

April 25, 2008 12:00 AM

Wheat grass, guarana, gobi…aca'i…it seems every time you turn around there’s something new that claims to make you feel new again.

The latest hype, vitamin B. It's advertised in all sorts of products. There are even celebrities who get B injections.

And after several people came up to me claiming regular doses of B complex changed their life, I decided to go in search of the truth behind all this buzz about B.

We are a society on the go. Always looking for the quick fix to keep us healthy and get us through the day. It’s the reason energy drink sales will top 40 billion dollars next year. It's also the drive behind the recent hype for vitamin B.

Check the labels…lots of drinks, foods, vitamins, gels…are boasting high amounts of B vitamins these days. That popular 5-hour energy shot? Advertises 8333% of the recommended daily allowance of B12.

The biggest buzz is over "B complex," 8 different “B” vitamins that together are promoted to increase energy and metabolism…improve memory and concentration…boost your mood…give you healthier hair, skin, eyes and nails…and improve the functioning of the nervous system and immune system.

Hair stylist Margaret Stefanich calls it her fountain of youth. Saying it helps her heal, takes away her stress and cures hangovers. She recommends it to clients with hair problems and she's been getting shots every month for years.

"I get a B12 and a B shot, it’s usually first thing in the morning and then I go to the club and I work out for 2 hours and I feel great," said Margaret Stefanich.

Doctors and researchers agree “B” vitamins are good for you. What they don't agree on is how much you need and whether there's really a benefit to boosting your levels of B.

Alan Titchenal, Ph.D., assistant professor human nutrition, food and animal sciences said “it’s possible if people are eating a reasonable varied diet and meeting their calorie needs they're probably getting plenty.”

Alan Titchenal teaches nutrition at U.H. He believes people with deficiencies can see a physical benefit from B complex supplements. But for most he thinks the affects are in their head

"That's well documented that you can give somebody a placebo shot and tell them that they will feel better and call me tomorrow and let me know how it's going and they will say that yeah, whatever you gave me doc that did the job.”

Naturopathic physician Dr. Laurie Steelsmith disagrees. She said that "sometimes when I'm at work and I feel like I'm just dragging I'll take a little shot of the liquid B complex I have."

Steelsmith says many of her patients get an instant energy boost from B complex and she wishes modern medicine would focus more on the healing powers of vitamin B.

"For instance, vitamin B2 research has found that it can really help people who suffer from migraine headaches at a fairly high dose. B6 at a higher dose can really help women with some hormonal issues like PMS."

Titchenal and Steelsmith do agree B12 supplements can have a life-changing impact on the elderly.

"I've seen cases of people with obvious dementia developing and if they catch them quick enough it turns them around. If in fact it was B12 related."

Back now to all the marketing hype around all those products with added “B.” The truth is the buzz you get right away is probably from other things added to that drink. And even those who swearby B complex supplements for better moods and energy say the best way to a long lasting buzz may be finding a way to get a better nights sleep.

“B complex is something that can help support your body thru stressful times. What I would recommend is that you actually change your lifestyle so that you're not needing the B complex all the time.”

So it's a personal choice. But we do want to warn you don't overdue B6 or B3 known as niacin, very high doses of those can be harmful.

Last Updated ( April 25, 2008 01:25 AM )

KGMB9 Special Reports