How to Use Vitamin B Supplements? When to Drink Vitamin B?

How to Use Vitamin B Supplements? When to Drink Vitamin B?

There are a total of 13 types of vitamins that support the functioning of the body. Eight of these types of vitamins are B vitamins. B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 ​​(pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate) and B12 (cyanocobalamin) are among the B vitamins.1 Supplements containing all of these vitamins are called B vitamin supplements or B vitamin complex supplements. You can continue reading our article to learn the answers to questions such as “How to use B vitamin supplements?” and “How should B vitamin supplements be used?”

 

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There are a total of 13 types of vitamins that support the functioning of the body. Eight of these types of vitamins are B vitamins. B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 ​​(pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate) and B12 (cyanocobalamin) are among the B vitamins.1 Supplements containing all these vitamins are called B vitamin supplements or B vitamin complex supplements. You can continue reading our article to learn the answers to questions such as “How to use B vitamin supplements?” and “How should B vitamin supplements be used?”

How to Use B Vitamin Supplements?

B group vitamins are among the water-soluble vitamins and, except for vitamin B12, are not stored in the body for long periods. Therefore, they need to be taken daily to fulfill their functions. The daily amount to be taken for each B vitamin is different. B vitamin supplement types are also prepared by taking these amounts into consideration. The average daily amounts of B vitamins that can be taken from both foods and supplements are as follows:

Vitamin Daily Vitamin Needs for Women Daily Vitamin Needs for Men
Vitamin B1 1.1mg 1.2mg
Vitamin B2 1.1mg 1.3mg
Vitamin B3 14mg 16mg
Vitamin B5 5mg 5mg
Vitamin B6 1.3mg 1.3mg
Vitamin B7 30 mcg 30 mcg
Vitamin B9 400 mcg 400 mcg
Vitamin B12 2.4 mcg 2.4 mcg



Your doctor may recommend supplements to meet your daily B vitamin needs, taking into account your health status, dietary habits and medical history. He/she will guide you on whether to take a single B vitamin supplement such as B12 or turn to a B complex vitamin supplement and how to use these supplements

When Should Vitamin B Supplements Be Taken?

Vitamin B can usually be obtained from the foods consumed. However, in some cases, it needs to be taken as a supplement. Here are some of these situations:

  • The use of vitamin B supplements during pregnancy is quite common. During pregnancy, B vitamins, especially B12 and B9, namely folic acid supplements, are needed. Because these vitamins are of great importance for supporting the development of the baby in the womb and preventing neural tube defects, namely birth anomalies.
  • Older individuals may need vitamin B12, B6 and folic acid supplements.
  • People with certain disorders such as celiac, Crohn's disease, alcoholism, hypothyroidism and anorexia may also experience deficiencies in some vitamins due to the diets and nutrition they follow. These include B group vitamins.
  • Vegan and vegetarian people may develop a deficiency in vitamin B12, which is mainly found in animal foods, and those who eat this way may need to take supplements.

Your physician will provide you with the necessary guidance for regular vitamin B supplementation in these and similar cases. The method and time of using vitamin B depends on the person's preference. Since B vitamins are water-soluble, they can be taken at any time of the day. Also, taking them before, after or during a meal does not make a difference in their effect. However, considering the effects of B vitamins, it is more appropriate to take vitamin B supplements in the morning, at the beginning of the day. Because B vitamins generally play a role in nutrient metabolism and energy production. Taking vitamin B supplements in the morning can make you feel more energetic during the day

How Long Should Vitamin B Supplements Be Used?

Vitamin B needs depend on many factors such as a person's health status, age, and diet. Taking all these conditions into account, your doctor may also recommend regular and continuous use of vitamin B supplements. However, sometimes, in special cases such as pregnancy, you may need to take vitamin B supplements periodically.

Should Vitamin B Supplements Be Taken on an Empty or Full Stomach?

Since vitamin B supplements are water-soluble vitamins, they can be taken both on an empty and full stomach. The effect will be seen in both cases. However, they can be absorbed more easily on an empty stomach with water. For this reason, taking your vitamin B supplement on an empty stomach and with a little water may be more ideal in terms of vitamin B absorption.

Does Vitamin B Supplements Make You Gain Weight?

Many people wonder whether B group vitamins, especially vitamin B12 supplements, affect weight gain. There are some studies showing that B vitamins and mainly vitamin B12 play a role in cell energy production and fat metabolism, and that these vitamins can cause an increase in the amount of fat in the body. People can gain weight as a result of increased body fat. However, some studies have also shown that B vitamins increase the levels of different enzymes that affect metabolism. This means that, unlike weight gain, B vitamins can help lose weight or prevent weight gain. However, since there is no clearly proven effect yet, it cannot be said that B vitamins cause weight gain or weight loss.

Things to Consider When Using Vitamin B Supplements

Since vitamin B supplements are a water-soluble vitamin, it is unlikely to be taken in excess. However, if vitamin B is taken in high doses, some side effects may occur. When taking excessive amounts of vitamin B;

  • Vomiting,
  • Increased blood sugar,
  • Skin flushing,
  • Painful lesions on the skin,
  • Changes in urine color (close to a bright yellow color) may occur.


In addition to all these, some B vitamins may also have their own side effects when used in high amounts. High-dose vitamin B3, also known as niacin; can cause skin rashes, itching, nausea and liver damage. Excessive intake of vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, can negatively affect the nervous system. Vitamin B9, better known as folic acid or folate, can cause various side effects when taken in excess of 1000 mcg per day. These side effects include fatigue, irritability and intestinal dysfunction. High doses of folic acid intake can also cause vitamin B12 deficiency to go undetected. Therefore, it is necessary to take both B9 and B12 in the recommended daily amounts.

Before starting to use B group vitamin supplements, you can get information from your doctor about the vitamin B supplement you should use, the daily amount and the duration of use in order to avoid such negative situations.

You have learned the answers to questions such as “How to use vitamin B supplements, when should they be taken?” You can also take a look at our other content to get answers to many questions such as “What is vitamin B?”, “What are the symptoms of vitamin B deficiency?” or “What are the benefits of vitamin B12?”

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