[Shezian]

Is a b complex vitamin needed to absorb vitamin b1 and b12?

Sue

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by Shezian

Is a b complex vitamin needed to absorb vitamin b1 and b12?

Not that I'm aware of. AFAIK, B-complex is a convenient way for many people to get minimum or better amounts of all the necessary Bs combined in one pill/caplet. Also, B-complexes come in different formulations/strengths, so it's a good idea to read the label and know exactly what & how much you're getting and what you're not. They're generally enough for most healthy folks, but for folks with particular needs (like PN) some of those amounts may not be enough; I take a B-complex, and supplement it with extra B5 & B12.

What they don't generally say on the labels is to take on an empty stomach, and when there's a choice (as with B1 vs. benfotiamine, cyano-B12 vs. methyl B12, etc.) they usually contain the cheapest version, which may not be the most bioavailable forms.

Doc

[mrsD]

Originally Posted by Shezian

Is a b complex vitamin needed to absorb vitamin b1 and b12?

Sue

B-complex is a grouping of vitamins, that share some characteristics in the metabolism of food, and forming enzymes in the body to utilize energy in the muscles and brain.

They do not help each other to get absorbed from food. Being absorbed in the GI tract is only one aspect of them.

Some help each other out in the enzymes of the body. B2 Riboflavin is part of an enzyme to activate B6 pyridoxine.
B6, folate, and B12 are involved in methylation reactions, in cells to make neurotransmitters, and to heal injuries/damage, to make new blood cells, and other tasks.
B1 is involved in the metabolism of alcohol in the body including ingested ethanol from drinking.

Much of the work in the body is either to detoxify things we consume, or to convert glucose to energy, or to rebuild damaged tissue, or to keep the blood flowing.

All the vitamins including the B-complex, do things things like this for us. They have jobs to do chemically. Our job is to provide them from a varied diet.

You can use your computer to search Google for many basic things to understand yourself. Much of this basic biology is taught in secondary schools today. If you didn't take biology in school, it might be a good idea to start reading now so you can learn to take care of yourself, and your family/pets when medical issues happen.

[Shezian]

I did learn all this in school but l forgot nearly everything l learnt, as l tend to just go with the up to date basic nutrition. I always thought l was pretty clued up when it came to nutrition, but obviously l am not.

Just want to get better, and never thought that taking vitamins was good for us, and that getting most from food was the best way. But when unwell, it is better take vitamins than continue being sick.

My mum always believes in eating a very healthy diet, instead of taking any kind of vitamins, she has always been healthy, and is healthier than me.
But l have eating issues all my life and that along with maybe drinking too much wine, wasn't a good mix. But each time l got a blood test l was in excellent health, except the iron. So iron was the one l concentrated on. If my blood tests results showed that l was deficient in something l would have been on top of it straight away. So l guess that's what makes me think it has nothing to do with
Nutrient deficiency, maybe the wine.

Sue

[mrsD]

Vitamins are not needed by everyone equally. We all differ in how we metabolize things, and some people need more of one thing than another...this is genetically driven.

Some vitamins we consume are not ACTIVE yet for the body to use. If some genetic error exists you inherited, you cannot utilize some after you absorb them. They float around in the blood until eliminated and will show up on testing and that will be deceiving because they are actually not working.

Folic acid and B12 have to be activated (methylated) to work. If the enzyme is missing or not in great enough amounts, then you will be deficient even though you are taking them in some form.
This is called MTHFR polymorphism and there is a DNA test for it now. It is estimated that 10-30% have this error.

Some people cannot metabolize alcohol normally, because of faulty B1 genetics:
http://www.uic.edu/classes/phar/phar...se_report3.htm
Some people of Asian ancestry today cannot metabolize alcohol properly because of the enzyme needed is in short supply or not there and are intolerant when consuming ethanol:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_tolerance