B vitamins explained

B vitamins are essential for energy, brain function and overall wellbeing—but not all B vitamins are created equal. Understanding the difference between activated and non-activated forms can help you get the most out of your supplements and support your body’s energy and stress response.

B vitamins explained

B vitamins are often spoken about as a group, yet each one plays a distinct role in supporting your health. Understanding what B vitamins are, why the body needs them, and how they work together can help explain why they are commonly taken as a complex rather than individually.

The B vitamin family consists of eight water-soluble vitamins: thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), biotin (vitamin B7), folate and cobalamin (vitamin B12), each with its own unique functions and benefits. These vitamins are predominantly not stored in the body, so regular intake is required.

Why are B vitamins grouped together?

Although each B vitamin has its own function, they rarely work in isolation. Instead, they operate as a coordinated system, supporting interconnected metabolic processes throughout the body. Many physiological pathways rely on multiple B vitamins at different steps, meaning a shortfall in one can affect the efficiency of the whole process. For this reason, B vitamins are commonly recommended together as a B complex, helping ensure the body has the full complement it needs to function effectively.

What does each B vitamin do?

• Vitamin B1: Assists in the metabolism of protein, carbohydrate and fat, while also supporting nervous system function.
• Vitamin B2: Required to support energy production in the body, high doses of vitamin B2 can also be beneficial in reducing both the occurrence and duration of mild migraines. See Vitamin B2 200mg – Herbs of Gold.
• Vitamin B3: Also assists in the metabolism of protein, carbohydrate and fat, while at the same time supporting skin health.
• Vitamin B5: Commonly referred to as the “anti-stress vitamin”, vitamin B5 supports a healthy stress response in the body.
• Vitamin B6: Assists the synthesis of neurotransmitters, while also supporting nervous system health and emotional wellbeing.
• Biotin: Biotin is also considered a B vitamin, supporting the health of hair, skin and nails.
• Folate: Assists in blood health and red blood cell production, while also supporting healthy foetal development.
• Vitamin B12: Supports haemoglobin formation, blood health and healthy red blood cell production. Together, these vitamins support energy production, nervous system health and cognitive function.

Activated versus non-activated

Activated B vitamins are provided in forms that are already biologically active, meaning they are ready for the body to use. By reducing the need for conversion or ‘activation’, activated forms can be especially useful for individuals experiencing high mental demand, ongoing stress, or those who may not efficiently activate B vitamins from food and synthetic forms such as folic acid. This allows them to be absorbed efficiently, taken up by cells and participate directly bodily process such as neurotransmitter synthesis and energy production.

Activated B vitamins

Herbs of Gold Activated B Complex provides B vitamins in their activated form. This high-quality, complex formula is available in a one-a-day, vegan-friendly capsule containing the active forms of vitamins B2, B6, folate and B12 to support energy production. Herbs of Gold Activated B Complex is also beneficial for supporting emotional wellbeing and a healthy stress response in the body, as B vitamins play an important role in the healthy functioning of the nervous system. Herbs of Gold Activated B Complex contains folate in its active form, as methylfolate, supporting brain health and cognitive function and vitamin B12 in its active form, methylcobalamin, helping to prevent a dietary vitamin B12 deficiency.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use.