Vitamin B (Maxi B)

Benefits

• Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is involved in the body’s metabolism of energy.
• It is required for the release of energy from glucose and for the transformation of carbohydrates to fat.
• Vitamin B1 is also known to help maintain the healthy functioning of the nervous system.
• Counteracts the toxic effects of alcohol by converting alcohol into carbon dioxide and water, and by protecting the nerves from the oxidizing effects of alcohol

Deficiency Signs

• Appetite loss
• Fatigue
• Depression & irritability
• Weight loss
• Muscle weakness

Increased Requirements

• Alcohol consumption
• The use of certain medicines
• Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Precautions

Upper Safe Intake Levels

Benefits

• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is involved in the body’s metabolism of energy.
• It is required for the production of energy from protein, fat and carbohydrate.
• Vitamin B2 is also known to help maintain healthy skin and is also known to support eye health.
• Have antioxidant properties, involved in energy production. Alcohol destroys B2 in the body, so a top up is needed.

Deficiency Signs

• Fatigue
• Cracking of lips & corners of mouth
• Watering, itching, burning eyes, with lesions around eyes
• Soreness and burning of lips and tongue

Increased Requirements

• Alcohol consumption
• The use of certain medicines
• Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Precautions

Upper Safe Intake Levels

Benefits

• Vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid) helps the body in protein metabolism.
• It is also required for the conversion of fats and carbohydrates into energy.
• Vitamin B3 supports maintenance of healthy skin.

Deficiency Signs

• Skin irritations, dermatitis
• Dementia
• Appetite loss, diarrhoea, nausea
• Memory loss, confusion, fatigue
• Muscle weakness

Increased Requirements

• Alcohol consumption
• The use of certain medicines
• Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Precautions

Upper Safe Intake Levels

Benefits

• Folic acid is vital for cell division and is therefore an important nutrient for all the growth phases of human development.
• Supplementation of folic acid during pregnancy is essential as requirements increase with up to 50%.
• Folic acid is essential during pregnancy, to help optimise the development of the baby’s nervous system. It is believed to reduce the risk of spina bifida, a birth defect affecting the spinal cord of the baby, which is known to be linked to Folic acid deficiencies.
• Folic acid supports the cardiovascular system, as it may help to maintain healthy levels of homocysteine.
• It is also important to assist in the regeneration of blood cells.

Deficiency Signs

• Anaemia (megaloblastic)
• Spina bifida (birth defect of spinal cord)
• Retarded growth in children
• Chronic diarrhoea

Increased Requirements

• Alcohol consumption
• The use of certain medicines
• Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Precautions

Upper Safe Intake Levels

Benefits

• Vitamin B12 contributes to the health of the nervous system and is involved in the manufacture of red blood cells.
• It supports the cardiovascular system, as it may help to maintain healthy levels of homocysteine.
• Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient for strict vegetarians, as their diets are typically lacking in this essential nutrient.

Deficiency Signs

• Peripheral numbness
• Muscle weakness
• Memory loss, confusion, dementia, fatigue
• Neurological degeneration

Increased Requirements

• Strict vegetarian diet
• Alcohol consumption
• The use of certain medicines
• Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Precautions

Upper Safe Intake Levels

Benefits

• Biotin plays a role in the formation of fatty acids.
• It helps the body with the transformation of fats and carbohydrates into energy. Biotin is well known for its role in maintaining healthy skin and hair.

Deficiency Signs

• Seborrheic dermatitis, hair loss
• Appetite loss, nausea
• Paralysis

Increased Requirements

• Alcohol consumption
• The use of certain medicines
• Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Benefits

• Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) plays a role in the metabolism of fatty acids, glucose and proteins for energy production.
• It is also known to help maintain healthy hair, skin and mucus membranes.

Deficiency Signs

• Fatigue
• Dry skin & hair
• Burning feet
• Insomnia

Increased Requirements

• Alcohol consumption
• The use of certain medicines
• Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Precautions

Upper Safe Intake Levels

Benefits

• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) plays a role in maintaining healthy gums, skin and connective tissue.
• Vitamin C is strongly associated with the management of colds and flu.
• Vitamin C assists with the maintenance of the integrity of the mucous membranes of the respiratory system. Thereby, it supports the body’s natural defence against air-borne micro-organisms and respiratory infections.
• Vitamin C functions as a tissue antioxidant thereby keeping cells healthy.
• Vitamin C also assists with the absorption of iron from especially plant foods, such as spinach, as it helps with the conversion of ferric iron to the ferrous form, which is better absorbed by the body.
• Vitamin C supports the circulatory system and is known to reduce the risk for heart disease.

Deficiency Signs

• Bleeding gums, poor healing of bruises and wounds
• Muscular atrophy
• Skin lesions
• Rheumatic pain in legs
• Depression

Increased Requirements

• Alcohol consumption
• The use of certain medicines
• Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Precautions

Upper Safe Intake Levels