B Vitamins – It’s All About Synergy

The B vitamins are a group of eight water-soluble vitamins that play perform essential, closely interrelated roles in the body, including acting as co-enzymes in catabolic and anabolic enzymatic reactions, synthesis of neurochemicals, cellular functioning, supporting brain function, metabolism and energy production, DNA and RNA synthesis and repair, among other essential functions of the body.

The eight B vitamins include: thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), folate (B9) and cobalamin (B12). The B vitamins are grouped based on their water solubility and their interrelated functions in cellular coenzyme activity. 

 

Why Synergy is so important?

Nutrients in food are not naturally isolated, but rather found with many other nutrients, enzymes and phytochemicals. Synergy occurs when an interaction between compounds produces effects that are greater than the combined individual effects of each one. Synergy may help to enhance absorption, distribution, activity metabolism, utilization and function of the nutrients.

To provide its optimum effect, each vitamin and mineral must be efficiently absorbed, distributed, metabolized and utilized, and must participate in a wide array of synergistic interactions with enzymes, co-factors and other nutrients. However, because factors such as genetics, diet, lifestyle, gender, age and stress levels affect the body’s ability to generate a high level of synergy, the effectiveness of a supplement can vary significantly among individuals.

The environment in the body dictates how beneficial a supplement will be – and this fact has been the driving force in the development of every Terranova product. The key ingredients in Terranova’s nutritional supplements are not just the nutrients.

Let’s understand synergy with two examples…

Vitamin B6 is an important B vitamin with various important roles in the human body. Terranova B6 is in the active form of Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate and features a unique Magnifood Complex rich in naturally occurring B vitamins & minerals which facilitate the utilization of vitamin B6, including stabilized rice bran, beetroot juice and greens, avena sativa and pumpkin seeds.

Terranova Vitamin B12 is formulated to maximize the absorption and utilization of this important nutrient. Typically, the absorption of an oral B12 supplement is minimal, especially in populations with diminished stomach acid levels. The addition of ginger root and gentian root in the Magnifood Complex aids to stimulate the release of stomach acid and other gastric juices, which helps to activate intrinsic factor, a glycoprotein produced in the stomach that is necessary for Vitamin B12 absorption. This negates the need for sublingual delivery methods commonly used for B12 supplements, and typically include undesirable additives. Additionally, the formulation utilizes the methylcobalamin form of Vitamin B12, which is active upon absorption, unlike cyanocobalamin which must undergo several conversion steps, but is still not as efficient according to studies.

 

 

Be a B Vitamins expert: Interesting facts you need to know before you choose!

  1. Folate: Folic acid as methylfolate is the form found in nature. Research has shown that Calcium L-methylfolate is a more bioavailable form of Folate rather than folic acid as it is better absorbed, and not affected by metabolic defects. Data suggests that between 6-14% of the population may have a methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase or MTHFR gene mutation, resulting in a highly reduced ability to convert folic acid into a usable form within the body. Calcium L-methylfolate is not affected in the same way and is therefore suitable for all users, with the added benefit of enhanced utilisation. 
  2. Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin): Cobalamin is an important nutrient, crucial to many aspects of health. It works synergistically with folate for many physiological processes including the synthesis of DNA and red blood cells and plays a central role in nerve health. Vitamin B12 is only found in small amounts in the diet (predominantly in eggs, fish and other animal-sourced foods) and is absorbed in the small intestine with the help of intrinsic factor, a substance released from stomach cells. It is commonly advised that people adhering to a vegan diet supplement with B12. Methylcobalamin is the active or coenzyme form of Vitamin B12, which is more readily absorbed.  
  3. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) is an important B vitamin with multiple and varied roles in the human body. Vitamin B6 is available as pyridoxine hydrochloride or the most active form, pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P5-P) and this is the form found in Terranova B6 Complex. 
  4. Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) is utilized into compounds that are critical to the utilization of fats and carbohydrates in energy production. Additionally, it plays a key role in the manufacture of adrenal hormones and red blood cells. Pantothene is the most active and effective form of this vitamin. In order to carry out its functions, Pantothenic Acid must be converted into its active coenzyme pantethine, a process which can be impaired by various factors. For this reason, Terranova Pantothenic Acid Complex provides not only Pantothenic Acid, but also active pantethine. Additionally, the Magnifood Complex in this formulation provides not only food sources of Pantothenic Acid, but also other nutrients that work with it in many of its biological functions.

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