B vitamins play essential roles in the body. Although many foods contain B vitamins, factors such as age, diet, genetic variations, and some health conditions can make you more likely to develop a vitamin B deficiency.
Here are the 13 best vitamin B complex supplements for 2022.
13 of the best vitamin B complex supplements
1. Care/of B-Complex Vitamin (best subscription)
Active ingredients include:
2. Nordic Naturals Vitamin B Complex (best overall)
Active ingredients include:
- Thiamine
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Vitamin B6
- Folate
- Vitamin B12
- Biotin
- Pantothenic acid
3. Integrative Therapeutics Active B-Complex (best for athletes)
Active ingredients include:
- Thiamine
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Vitamin B6
- Folate
- Vitamin B12
- Biotin
- Pantothenic acid
- Choline
- Inositol
4. Pure Encapsulations B-Complex Plus (best affordable)
Active ingredients include:
- Thiamine
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Vitamin B6
- Folate
- Vitamin B12
- Biotin
- Pantothenic acid
5. MegaFood Balanced B Complex (best to take on an empty stomach)
Active ingredients include:
- Thiamine
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Vitamin B6
- Folate
- Vitamin B12
- Biotin
- Pantothenic acid
- Organic food blend
6. Pure Encapsulations B-Complex Liquid (best liquid)
Active ingredients include:
- Thiamine
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B12
- Pantothenic acid
7. Thorne B-Complex #12 (best vegan)
Active ingredients include:
- Thiamine
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Vitamin B6
- Folate
- Vitamin B12
- Biotin
- Pantothenic acid
- Choline
8. Pure Encapsulations PureNutrients Gummies (best gummy)
Active ingredients include:
- Thiamine
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Vitamin B6
- Folate
- Vitamin B12
- Biotin
- Pantothenic acid
- Choline
- Iodine
- Zinc
- Chromium
- Sodium
- Fruit blend
- Vitamins A, C, D, E and K
9. Seeking Health’s B-Minus (best without B12 and folate)
Active ingredients include:
- Thiamine
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Vitamin B6
- Biotin
- Pantothenic acid
10. BrainChild Nutritionals B-Complex Liquid
Active ingredients include:
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B2
- Niacin
- Vitamin B6
- Folate
- Vitamin B12
- Biotin
- Pantothenic acid
- Choline
- Inositol
- L-glycine
11. Nutrilite Vitamin B Dual-Action
Active ingredients include:
- Thiamin (as thiamine mononitrate)
- Riboflavin
- Niacin (as niacinamide)
- Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine hydrochloride)
- Folate (667 mcg DFE [400 mcg folic acid])
- Vitamin B12 (as cyanocobalamin)
- Biotin (125 mcg)
- Pantothenic acid (as d-calcium pantothenate)
- Spirulina powder
12. Nature Made Super B Complex with Vitamin C and Folic Acid
Active ingredients include:
- Niacin
- Vitamin B6
- Folic acid
- Vitamin B12
- Biotin (B7)
- Pantothenic acid
- Vitamin C
- Calcium (as calcium carbonate)
13. Garden of Life MyKind Organics Vitamin B Complex
Active ingredients include:
- Thiamin (vitamin B1 from organic food blend)
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2 from organic food blend)
- Niacin (from organic food blend)
- Vitamin B6 (from organic food blend)
- Folate (from organic food blend)
- Vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin from Saccharomyces cerevisiae)
- Biotin (from organic food blend)
- Pantothenic acid (from organic food blend)
How to choose the best vitamin B complex supplements
Finding the best vitamin B complex supplements can challenging. Factors to consider before buying vitamin B complex supplements include the following:
- Formulations: Always prioritize supplements containing highly absorbable B vitamins, including methylcobalamin, which is the active form of B12, and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, which is the biologically active form of folate.
- Other ingredients: Always choose products that have minimal amounts of other ingredients, including additives, synthetic sweeteners, and artificial coloring.
- Dietary requirements: Consider products that meet a range of dietary preferences and needs, such as gluten-free, major allergens-free, and vegan-friendly.
- Cost: Since prices vary widely, you will need to find a supplement that suits your budget.
- Brand reputation and quality: Always look for products from a reputed brand, since the FDA does not regulate supplements.
Qualities to look for in a vitamin B complex supplement include the following:
- Tested by a third party
- Meets a range of dietary preferences
- Contains all eight B vitamins
- Includes choline and inositol
- Affordable
- No added sugar and other extra ingredients
SLIDESHOW
Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See SlideshowWhat are B vitamin complex supplements?
B complex supplements are a combination of eight B vitamins and choline. Choline is a vitamin-like compound and is usually included with B vitamins due to its identical effects on the human body.
Vitamins in a B complex supplement include:
- B1 (thiamine)
- B2 (riboflavin)
- B3 (niacin)
- B5 (pantothenic acid)
- B6 (pyridoxine)
- B7 (biotin)
- B9 (folate)
- B12 (cobalamin)
Certain supplements contain all eight, whereas others only have one or two. Some contain vitamin-B-like ingredients, such as choline and inositol, a form of carbohydrate previously thought to be a B vitamin.
Although each B vitamin performs a specific function in the body, many of them help in similar bodily functions such as metabolism and act as cofactors in chemical reactions.
Who needs vitamin B complex supplements?
You can get a sufficient amount of vitamin B complex through diet. However, certain populations may particularly need B complex supplements, including people who:
- Are 65 years or older
- Have certain genetic mutation
- Follow a vegan diet
- Take certain medications
- Have substance use disorder
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have certain medical conditions
Are vitamin B complex supplements safe to take?
Most people taking B complex supplements have not reported any side effects besides mild upset stomach and flushing.
At times, excessive intake of niacin and pyridoxine can lead to complications such as:
Always follow the precautions mentioned on the label or follow your doctor’s instructions on the B complex dosage to prevent any adverse effects.
Medically Reviewed on 9/14/2022
References
Image Source: Getty images
Vitamin B Complex Capsule - Uses, Side Effects, and More. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-3387/vitamins-b-complex-oral/details
Vitamin B-Complex. https://wa.kaiserpermanente.org/kbase/topic.jhtml?docId=hn-2922005
Niacin – Vitamin B3. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/niacin-vitamin-b3/
B Vitamins and the Brain: Mechanisms, Dose and Efficacy—A Review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4772032/
Vitamin B Complex Capsule - Uses, Side Effects, and More. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-3387/vitamins-b-complex-oral/details
Vitamin B-Complex. https://wa.kaiserpermanente.org/kbase/topic.jhtml?docId=hn-2922005
Niacin – Vitamin B3. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/niacin-vitamin-b3/
B Vitamins and the Brain: Mechanisms, Dose and Efficacy—A Review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4772032/
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