Description
A wide and complex variety of B vitamins is essential for the body to convert food into cellular energy. These water-soluble groups of vitamins are first absorbed in the small intestine and then travel to the liver where they are biotransformed into their active coenzyme forms. One of the key roles of B vitamins is to serve as prime coenzymes for the “Krebs cycle,” the biochemical pathway responsible for maintaining energy production. In addition, B vitamins—particularly folate, B6, and B12—are critical for proper methylation, a biochemical process that helps convert the problematic amino acid metabolite homocysteine into the amino acids methionine and cysteine. This process is vital for supporting cardiovascular and mental health, a healthy nervous system, regulating gene expression, proper energy metabolism, immune function, and nerve cell function.*
Active B is a balanced and comprehensive B complex supplement that contains eight essential B vitamins as well as choline and inositol. Moreover, the folate in Active B is the form of Quatrefolic® (100% as 5-MTHF). B vitamins have historically been taken together for their synergistic role in supporting energy production, immune health, cardiovascular health, and neurological health. Adequate B vitamins are essential for maintaining energy levels and additional intake is often needed by those with high levels of stress. Active B offers high-quality nutrients, which help to build a healthy micronutrient reserve.*
INGREDIENT BENEFITS:*
• Folate: a water soluble member of the B complex vitamins that is critical for maintaining optimal methylation. Folate is found naturally in foods such as fruits and dark leafy vegetables, but can be easily destroyed by cooking or processing. Enzyme defects and malabsorption can also cause lower folate levels. Furthermore, some patients have a congenital deficiency of 5-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (5-MTHFR)—an enzyme required for the conversion of folic acid to its bioactive form 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF)—which can result in an impaired ability to activate folic acid. In individuals with a genetic defect of this enzyme, supplementation with 5-MTHF has been shown to be beneficial. 5-MTHF is required as a methyl group donor for the production of mood regulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin, the synthesis of melatonin, as well as DNA production and repair.*
• Thiamine (Vitamin B1): While naturally abundant in whole grains, thiamine is lost in many of the over-processed grains commonly consumed today. Thiamine is an essential co-factor in the production of ATP in the cells’ “Krebs cycle”, and is also needed for the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.*
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): a precursor to flavin adenine dinucleodtide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN), both of which are central to energy production, intermediary metabolism, and act as powerful antioxidants. Riboflavin-depleted cells have been found to display signs of greater oxidative stress and disrupted energy generation.*
• Niacin: a cofactor in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, which produces cellular energy. In the body, niacin is transformed into NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and NADP (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), which both play a role in oxidation reduction reactions in cells.*
• Vitamin B6: is involved in over 100 enzymatic reactions in the body and is essential for gluconeogenesis, lipid metabolism, neurotransmitter formation, immune health, and hormone modulation. Furthermore, B6 is essential in methylation for the breakdown of homocysteine.*
• Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin): is found only in organ meats, seafood, and egg yolks. B12 often becomes deficient in vegan and vegetarian diets. This vitamin is essential for the synthesis of proteins and for the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. Furthermore, B12 also plays a role in regulating mitochondrial enzymes and energy metabolism, as well as neurological health.*
• Biotin: Synthesized by the bacteria in the gut and in certain foods, biotin and its cofactors are involved in metabolism of fatty acids, amino acids, and the utilization of B vitamins.*
• Pantothenic Acid: Pantothenic acid and its biologically active derivative, CoA, are essential to the synthesis of fatty acids, membrane phospholipids, amino acids, steroid hormones, and energy production.*
• Choline Bitartrate: Though not technically a B vitamin, choline is often associated with the B vitamin complex. It is important in the construction of cell membranes and plasma lipoproteins; plays a role in cell signaling and in the synthesis of acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter); and is vital for brain development.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
