The Best Vitamin B Complex Supplements - Sports Illustrated

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The eight essential B vitamins that make up the vitamin B complex family are key to staying healthy, fit and mentally sharp. Your body depends on B-complex vitamins to perform many of its vital functions, including metabolism, energy production, immunity, red blood cell formation, cardiovascular and nervous system functions.

The health benefits of vitamin B supplementation are vast. In addition to maintaining your body's normal processes, B-complex vitamins may also help prevent and treat a host of medical conditions, including depression, cancer, heart disease and stroke. Recent studies suggest that vitamin B may even play a role in reducing damage caused by COVID-19 infection.

Vitamin B complex supplements are a great way to get your recommended daily intake of the eight B vitamins. That's because a B complex supplement typically packs all eight B vitamins into one convenient pill. Some vitamin B complex supplements also contain other nutrients, like vitamin C, magnesium, choline and inositol, for additional health benefits.

This article introduces our picks for the best vitamin B complex supplements on the market. You'll also learn how to find the best supplement for you, the best time to take vitamin B complex, how to use dietary supplements effectively and other important factors to consider before you buy.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

Our Picks for the Best Vitamin B Complex:

new chapter

Key features:

If you're looking for a vitamin B complex pill that won't upset your stomach, consider New Chapter Fermented Coenzyme B Complex. This B-complex supplement is specially formulated and fermented with probiotics to provide gentle absorption and easy digestion. According to the product's label, it can be taken anytime—even on an empty stomach.

Fermented B vitamins harness the power of natural fermentation, which breaks the product down into a simpler, more digestible form. Research suggests that fermented vitamins help promote digestive health and also support immune function.

New Chapter Fermented Coenzyme B Complex is a certified non-GMO product. It's also gluten-free and free of artificial flavors and colors. Third-party certifying organizations for this supplement include NSF International, The Non-GMO Project and Where Food Comes From Organic (WFCFO).

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sundown-naturals

Key features:

Sundown Naturals B Complex is great for anyone looking to get their daily dose of Vitamin B on a tight budget. It's the most affordable supplement on our list and contains six B-complex vitamins: vitamin B12, folate, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin B6. Plus, it's gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO and has no added sugar or preservatives.

Customer reviews for this supplement suggest that quality is not at all sacrificed for cost, with over 9,000 people rating it five stars. Multiple customers reported seeing noticeable improvements in their energy levels, mood, hair and skin after taking the supplement and experienced no side effects.

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thorne

Key features:

Thorne Research Stress B-Complex aims to help reduce stress. This supplement contains all eight B vitamins and has an extra amount of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), which is commonly referred to as the "anti-stress" vitamin.

Recent studies have illuminated the importance of vitamin B5 in healthy immune function. Vitamin B5 also plays a role in regulating stress hormones produced by the adrenal glands and may be associated with improved stress management.

Thorne Research Stress B-Complex also contains choline—a vitamin-B-like nutrient essential to proper brain function and heart health. Research suggests that choline supplementation may improve cognitive performance and reduce the risk of liver disease.

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megafood-balanced-b

Key features:

If you're worried about maintaining a vegan diet while taking dietary supplements, MegaFood Balanced B Complex is an excellent option.

MegaFood prides itself on using real food from trusted farm partners to craft its supplements—a process it has cleverly trademarked as "Fresh From Farm to Tablet.'' Its Balanced B complex supplement contains organic kale, brown rice and broccoli in addition to the eight B-complex vitamins.

As a Certified B Corporation, MegaFood has met rigorous standards of social and environmental performance. MegaFood's products have also been tested and certified by third-party organizations, including Certified Vegan, USDA Organic, The Non-GMO Project and The Detox Project.

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california-gold

Key features:

Not a fan of swallowing pills? Then consider California Gold Nutrition B Complex Gummies. These chewable, strawberry-flavored gummies are a great tasting way for adults and children to add Vitamin B to their diets. And unlike most gummy supplements, they don't contain gelatin. They're also gluten-free and non-GMO.

California Gold Nutrition boasts itself as the gold standard in dietary supplements. Its products are produced in a Third Party Audited cGMP Registered (Certified) Facility approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to California Gold Nutrition's official website, all of its supplements are "scientifically formulated and third party lab tested in the United States for quality assurance."

This supplement contains five of the eight B-complex vitamins, so you may want to take it in combination with a daily multivitamin. You can safely take B vitamin supplements with a multivitamin because B vitamins are water-soluble vitamins. This means they are not stored in the body and any excess amount you intake will be safely eliminated through your urine.

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natures-answer

Key features:

Some people want to get the recommended daily intake of vitamin B without knowing they're getting the recommended daily intake of vitamin B. And that's where Nature's Answer Liquid Vitamin B Complex comes in handy.

This supplement is a tangerine flavored liquid that can be taken alone or easily mixed into food or your favorite beverage. It's a great option for older adults and children with chewing or swallowing problems.

You'll get all eight B vitamins from this supplement, plus vitamin C, vitamin E, choline and inositol—a natural compound used to treat symptoms related to mental health disorders, metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Studies also show that inositol taken with folate during pregnancy may lower the risk of preterm birth in women who have a higher chance of developing diabetes during pregnancy.

However, this supplement may not be the best choice for everyone. It contains vitamin E, and therefore has the potential to interact with certain medications, including anticoagulants, chemotherapy drugs and Prilosec. Consult a healthcare professional before taking this supplement if you take other medications.

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natures plus

Key features:

NaturesPlus has been committed to making organic whole food blends and wellness supplements for over 50 years. It boasts NaturesPlus Source of Life Garden Certified Organic B Complex as the first certified organic supplement to provide a full array of essential B-complex vitamins in organic capsules.

In addition to the eight B vitamins, this supplement contains an organic whole food blend of guava, blueberries, kale, beets, carrot juice, cinnamon, cranberry, spinach, sweet potatoes and 15 other nature-made superfoods rich in antioxidants.

The supplement is organic certified by both the USDA and Ecocert ICO, so you can rest assured that the formula is made without synthetic/chemical pesticides or artificial fertilizers. This supplement is also certified non-GMO and doesn't contain any artificial flavors, sweeteners or preservatives.

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natures bounty

Key features:

If you're looking for a B-complex supplement with an added immunity boost, Nature's Bounty Super B Complex with Folic Acid Plus Vitamin C is the way to go. It contains all eight B-complex vitamins, plus vitamin C for extra immune system support.

Nature's Bounty has been a manufacturer of nutritional supplements for nearly 50 years. The company claims that its products are backed by science and made with only the purest ingredients. Its products are laboratory tested to meet stringent Quality Assurance Standards and GMP supplement standards.

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Life Extension Bioactive

Key features:

Life Extension Bioactive Complete B-Complex the biologically active forms of the eight B-complex vitamins (active B vitamins) to optimize absorption and give your body what it needs to function. Before your body can use B vitamins, it must first convert them into their biologically active form. This supplement allows your body to skip that step and directly access all the health benefits vitamin B has to offer.

According to the manufacturer, this supplement boosts energy production, promotes a healthy metabolism and encourages brain, cellular and organ health.

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Care-Of-b

Key features:

A subscription-based supplement, like the one offered by Care/Of, is a great option for people who want their vitamin B delivered on a consistent monthly basis, ensuring they never miss a dose.

In addition to providing a convenient and consistent delivery schedule, Care/Of allows you to take a quiz on its website that results in a customized recommendation of vitamins and supplements tailored to meet your unique health needs. Additional supplements offered by Care/Of include vitamin D, digestive enzymes, zinc, iron and multivitamins with vitamin A.

Care/OF Vitamin B Complex uses a smart formula of active B vitamins for better absorption and utilization by the body. All eight B-complex vitamins are present in this supplement. It also contains methylfolate (a superior form of folate) and methylcobalamin (a superior form of vitamin B12). Plus, it's vegan-friendly and doesn't contain any unnecessary additives or fillers.

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How to Choose the Best Vitamin B Complex for You

The best vitamin B complex for you is the one that meets your unique health needs, fits your budget and satisfies any social or environmental requirements you may have, such as being organic, kosher or vegan certified.

Most importantly, the best B vitamin complex for you is one that does not contain any ingredients that will interact with your medication or negatively affect your health in any way. Individuals with pre-existing conditions should be especially cautious before starting any new supplement or dietary regimen. Always consult with your doctor or a healthcare professional before taking any new supplements.

How We Chose the Best Vitamin B Complex Supplements

We chose our picks for the best B vitamin complex supplements using a combination of criteria, including: product quality and safety, reputation of the manufacturer, third-party certification status, affordability and customer reviews.

What Is Vitamin B?

"Vitamin B" is somewhat of a misnomer, as there are actually eight types of B vitamins that form the vitamin B complex family.

B-complex vitamins are water-soluble vitamins generally involved in metabolic processes. They help the body convert carbohydrates into sources of energy it can use to carry out physiological and neurological functions.

Because there are multiple types of B vitamins, vitamin B is implicated in a range of bodily functions from head to toe, including immunity, heart health, cell formation, hormone regulation, brain function and DNA synthesis.

The 8 types of vitamin B

Vitamin B complexes

Vitamin B complexes contain multiple B vitamins within one serving unit, whether it be in tablet, capsule, softgel, gummy or liquid form. Complex supplements typically contain all eight B vitamins; however, some don't.

How to Take a B Vitamin Complex

A vitamin B complex supplement is taken by mouth, usually once daily or as directed. Follow all directions on the product package. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or a licensed healthcare professional.

If you are taking a vitamin B complex that contains vitamin C, take the supplement by mouth with a full glass of water (eight ounces/240 milliliters) unless your physician directs you otherwise.

If you are taking gummies or chewable tablets, chew them thoroughly before swallowing.

If you are taking a liquid B vitamin complex, use a medication-measuring tool to carefully measure the dose. Do not use a household spoon. Some liquid products must be shaken before each dose. Follow the directions on the label carefully to get the most benefit.

B vitamin complex supplements should be taken regularly over an extended period of time in order to get the most benefit from them.

Who Can Benefit from a B Vitamin Complex?

The B complex vitamins are essential vitamins, meaning they cannot be synthesized by the human body, so they must be consumed in food. Thus, a B vitamin complex supplement will benefit anyone failing to achieve the recommended daily intake of vitamin B from their diet.

Additionally, older adults, people with restricted diets (e.g. vegetarians and vegans) and individuals who have conditions that limit their ability to absorb vitamin B from food may benefit from taking B vitamin complex supplements.

A vitamin B complex supplement is also beneficial to people with a history of, or susceptibility to vitamin B deficiency, especially vitamin B12 deficiency.

Lastly, a B vitamin complex supplement with vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and follow vegetarian or vegan diets.

The Best Time to Take a Vitamin B Complex

The best time to take vitamin B complex supplements is whatever time is most convenient for you. However, because vitamin B complex helps the body convert food into energy, you might consider taking your supplement early in the day with a meal. This way, you'll be primed to enjoy certain health benefits from your supplement throughout the day (e.g. increased energy levels).

What to Look for in a Vitamin B Complex

Finding the right vitamin B complex supplement can be a hassle, as there are dozens of options to choose from. You can simplify your purchasing decision by looking at the vitamin's dosage, form and cost.

Dosage

A vitamin B complex supplement will have varying amounts of each B vitamin depending on the manufacturer. For instance, some supplements may include an extra amount of one type of B vitamin while excluding another type of B vitamin altogether.

A balanced vitamin B complex supplement will include all eight B vitamins and contain at least 100 percent of the recommended daily value. If you are interested in getting a high dose of a particular B vitamin, choose a supplement that contains a high concentration of that vitamin.

Form

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