The B Vitamins are called essential vitamins and they play an important role in many of our body functions. An essential Vitamin means that it must come from the food we consume because our body does can not make it.
The best way to get all the B vitamins is from a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods.
We have talked about Diets before on the blog. If you choose a Vegan or Vegetarian Diet then you should supplement with Vitamin B12. If you are on a Keto Diet then you will want to supplement with Thiamine B1 and perhaps Riboflavin B2. The other challenge I see is that many of the foods that contain Thiamin and Riboflavin are also highly processed so it is important to choose whole and organic food sources to obtain high quality B vitamins.
I also learned that certain medications and oral contraception can cause a B1 thiamine deficiency. Diuretic medications that are used to decrease blood pressure, Phenytoin used to treat seizures, and Digoxin that is used to treat heart conditions, may deplete Thiamine. Be sure to ask your Doctor if you should supplement with Thiamine. Alcohol use also depletes Thiamine.
Some of the most common symptoms of a B vitamin Deficiency.
Muscle Weakness, Muscle Spasms
Lack of energy, Lack of Stamina, Anemia
Numbness and Tingling in that hands and feet
PMS and short mensetraul cycles with break through bleeding
Craves Sweets and Carbs
Varicose Viens and Hemorrhoids
Nervous Stomach, Poor Digestion, Crohn’s, Colitis
Swelling of the ankles
Skin Rashes, Thinning Hair and Weak Nails
Stressed and Obsessed
If you have one or more of the above symptoms, then it is time to review your diet, consider food first and then if symptoms still persist a high quality supplement might be what is needed.
One of patients who is on a Diuretic medication with symptoms of fatigue and lack of stamina improved sustainable when we gave her a whole food B Complex.
If you have questions or want to know if a Vitamin B supplement is right for you then please do not hesitate to contact us.
Have a health week Dr Pia,
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