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B-Complex Vitamins: Of the many B-complex (Bx) formulations offered by various manufacturers, |
different effects are generally being experienced by different individuals, depending not only on the |
daily amount, but also the specific type of formulation supplemented. |
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An Equalized B-Complex contains the same amount with most B-vitamins (100mg of Vit B1, 100mg |
of Vit B2, 100mg of B3, etc..., and 100mcg of biotin, 100mcg of B12, and 400mcg -1mg of folic acid). |
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So-called B-Stress Formulations are designed to presumably help people handle stress better, however many people end up feeling more stressed out after taking them. Starting in the 80's, when |
"Stress Tabs" became quite popular, a large percentage of patients I had seen came with medical |
symptoms exclusively related to excessive B-complex intake (see below). Ironically, whoever came |
up with the notion that large amounts of B-vitamins reduced stress had it all backwards, nevertheless |
a lot of self-styled nutritionists perpetuated that myth, and Vitamin Companies quickly jumped on the |
bandwagon and each produced their own brand-specific "Stress Formulations," consisting mainly of |
high B-complex vitamins, with many companies also adding Vitamin C and zinc. |
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Supposedly the best choice is a Balanced B-Complex vitamin formulation where a different mg or |
mcg amount is used for each B vitamin - sort of putting them in the proper (natural) ratio to one another. |
However - what ratios are best for which individual, and how would the manufacturer know? |
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An individual who is prone for gout might need more pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) but less lecithin, |
while anyone with a tendency for iron overload would need less Vitamin B1, but much more Vitamin B2. |
Some of those suffering from hypoadrenalism (Addison's disease) would benefit from extra Vitamin B1 |
and/or choline for their sodium-raising properties, while sodium-sensitive individuals or anyone with a |
tendency for hyperadrenalism (Cushing's disease) might benefit from extra Vitamin B2 and folic acid, |
which have a sodium-lowering effect. |
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Anyone suffering from low blood sugar episodes should avoid larger amounts of Vitamin B6 and C, |
which can cause blood sugar to drop even more, but they are generally helped with extra niacinamide |
and/or biotin. There are claims that diabetics may benefit from larger amounts of biotin, but patient |
feedback and blood sugar measurements have been to the contrary. |
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Those with a tendency for mild Hyperthyroidism (see also Acu-Cell "Bromine") may benefit from |
PABA, another member of the B-vitamin complex, but they should be careful taking extra Vitamin B6. |
Higher amounts of Vitamin B6 will also increase magnesium retention, although this only takes place |
following long-term oral supplementation, while regular Vitamin B6 injections will quickly result in a high magnesium / low calcium ratio. |
If not matched to a patient's requirements, which happens frequently when Vitamin B6 + B12 injections |
are given at Weight Loss Clinics, a severe calcium deficiency develops. This by itself - or when aggravated by an overstimulated thyroid from regular Vitamin B6 + B12 shots - can result in insomnia, |
heart palpitations, chest pains, anxieties, depression, mood swings, joint / muscle pains, and/or other |
symptoms. |
In someone suffering from Hypothyroidism and low sodium, Vitamin B6 supplementation on a long- |
term basis has the potential to eventually lower thyroid functions even more, although a brief boost will still take place every time Vitamin B6 is injected or taken orally. In addition, Vitamin B6 will only affect |
T4 (thyroxine) levels, but no conversion to T3 (triiodothyronine) takes place - causing a T3 / T4 thyroid |
ratio conflict, so rather than trying to boost thyroid functions with Vitamin B6 injections for weight loss purposes, iodine, as well as selenium and tyrosine status should be checked and corrected instead. |
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Another consideration when supplementing larger doses of Vitamin B6 as pyridoxine is the inhibiting |
effect on Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (P5P), which is the natural form of Vitamin B6, so if amounts larger than 50mg are taken per day, or if they are taken on an ongoing basis, the pills should also contain a small percentage as pyridoxal-5-phosphate to avoid the potential of causing neurological damage. |
However, regardless of the type, excessive intake of both - P5P or pyridoxine - when not needed, may |
also lead to nerve and/or spinal degeneration, specifically affecting T1 (with right-sided symptoms in the |
upper back / shoulder area) and at L2, along with general osteo-arthritic changes in various joints. |
As a result, Vitamin B6 therapy should only be used for someone with an otherwise difficult-to-manage |
low magnesium / high calcium ratio. (see also Acu-Cell "Calcium & Magnesium" and "Mineral Ratios"). |
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Individuals following a vegetarian lifestyle - and particularly vegetarian children in Western societies - |
should supplement extra Vitamin B12, since B12 is not available from non-animal sources (see also |
Acu-Cell "Vegetarianism"), while those with insufficient stomach acid and intrinsic factor may have to |
supplement 1000mcg+ of Vitamin B12 on a daily basis, or get regular Vitamin B12 shots to prevent pernicious anemia. This also requires the addition of folic acid, which interacts with Vitamin B12. |
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On the other hand, some individuals who suffer from mitral valve prolapse (MVP), a disposition for panic-anxiety disorder, or right-sided coronary artery spasms would have to avoid Vitamin B12 shots |
altogether, but may benefit from extra Vitamin B15 (calcium pangamate or pangamic acid), DMG, or inositol instead. (For detailed information on the close interactions of Vitamin B12 with Vitamin B15, and Vitamin C with Vitamin E, see Acu-Cell "Cobalt & Nickel"). |
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If someone were to start out with a (theoretically) perfect mineral profile, and then take an equalized high B-complex formulation (all B vitamins are the same mg, except for biotin, Vitamin B12, and folic |
acid), that individual will slowly reshape his or her intracellular chemistry to look something like this: |