B-Complex 100

A high-quality vitamin B complex supplement will provide, in one convenient pill, a full range of B vitamins, including:

biotin
choline
folic acid
inositol
PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)

and the six "numbered" B vitamins:

vitamin B-1 (thiamin)
B-2 (riboflavin)
B-3 (niacin)
B-5 (pantothenic acid)
B-6 (pyridoxine)
B-12 (cobalamin)

Combination products can simplify the process of taking individual B vitamins for a range of ailments including alcoholism, depression, diabetes, hair problems, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and stress.

Vitamin B complex products are generally available in two forms: B-50s and B-100s.

In a B-50 complex, look for a minimum of the following:

400 mcg folic acid
50 mcg B-12 and
biotin
and at least 50 mg of all the other B vitamins

Generally twice this amount is found in B-100 complexes, except for the folic acid (400 mcg), which remains the same. A B-100 typically contains 100 mcg B-12 and biotin, and 100 mg of all the other B vitamins.

While convenient, combination B vitamin products can produce an unpleasantly strong vitaminlike odor and cause queasiness if taken on an empty stomach. To minimize these side effects and enhance absorption, take this vitamin pill with food. A bright yellow hue to the urine following a B-complex vitamin is a harmless side effect of the riboflavin (B-2).

B Vitamins for Leg Cramps (Taiwan):
Nighttime leg cramps, a common problem in older men and women, may be relieved with a simple mixture of B vitamins, according to a study from the Taipei Medical College. Twenty-eight elderly patients with high blood pressure, a common cause of severe leg cramps, were given either vitamin B complex capsules (containing a mixture of B vitamins) or a placebo pill daily for three months. Those who took the B vitamins had fewer cramps, and when cramps did develop, they were less intense and did not last as long. (Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 12/98)