What you absolutely want: B-12: The B vitamin older people are most likely to need is vitamin B-12 because absorption of B-12 from foods can decrease with age, while B-12 from supplements is easier to absorb. The recommended intake of B-12 is quite small — just 2.4 mcg per day.
People who are 65 or older may benefit from a B-complex supplement. Research shows that older adults are more susceptible to vitamin B12 deficiency. Some evidence suggests that having higher levels of B12 may help slow the aging of the brain.
When it comes to the issue of vitamin B12 vs B complex, both types of vitamins are crucial. If you're lacking B12, consume more of it via supplements or food. If you're lacking vitamin B in general, consider B complex vitamins instead. Overall, both vitamins are essential nutrients.
The daily recommended dosage of Vitamin B Complex varies for different people. For young adults, 400 micrograms (mcg) daily. Lactating mothers require 500 mcg a day. 600 mcg a day for pregnant women and older adults.
B Vitamins In Supplements
If you choose to supplement, there is no reason not to take the whole complex of eight B vitamins in supplement form, but also no reason to take them apart from a daily multivitamin / multimineral supplement. Multivitamins commonly contain the full spectrum of B vitamins.
What happens if you get too much vitamin B complex? You're unlikely to get too much vitamin B complex from your diet. That's because B complex vitamins are water soluble. That means they aren't stored in your body but are excreted in your urine daily.
However, taking supplements that contain excessively high and unnecessary quantities of B vitamins could lead to serious side effects. High doses of supplemental B3 (niacin) may lead to vomiting, high blood sugar levels, skin flushing, and even liver damage ( 34 ).
The difference between Vitamin B12 and B Complex is that Vitamin B12 is just one of the eight B vitamins that form the B complex. Together, the set of 8 B vitamins that make up the B complex is presented in the optimum balance to provide the recommended daily amount.
You can't overdose on B vitamins, they're water soluble, so make sure you take a good B Complex vitamin and do that every day.
What is vitamin B-12? Vitamin B-12, or cobalamin, is a nutrient you need for good health. It's one of eight B vitamins that help the body convert the food you eat into glucose, which gives you energy.
Vitamin B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in the health of older adults. Vitamin B-12 is involved in making DNA, red blood cell formation, and proper nerve function1. While more research is needed, low vitamin B-12 levels have also been linked to increased bone fracture risk2.
Studies indicate that the requirements of B6 in elderly people are higher due to decreased absorption, increased catabolism and impaired phosphorylation [18,19]. Elderly people are at risk of B6 deficiency because they consume less food, in particular food containing B6.
Anyone who wants to proactively support their health from the cellular level on up will benefit from taking B vitamin supplements. B-complex supplements may also be especially beneficial to people who are more prone to experience a B-vitamin deficiency, including: Older people over the age of 50.
Results confirmed that vitamin B12 played an essential role in neuronal regeneration through myelination of the injured nerve. It promoted nerve regeneration better than the other B vitamins and better than the combination.
Recommended Vitamin B12 Dosage for Seniors
A recent study found that for seniors, a daily dose of 500 micrograms was efficient in reversing the signs of B12 deficiency. In general, experts recommend 2.5 micrograms of vitamin B12 per day for people over the age of 14.
Cyanocobalamin B12 contains a cyanide molecule that gives it stability in products and the body. Cyanide is a poison, of course, but in the minuscule quantities found in Cyanocobalamin, this is of no consequence – it's perfectly safe to take!
For prevention and treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency, cyanocobalamin in chewable, sublingual, or liquid forms (rather than in a multivitamin) is best under most circumstances.
When the amount of vitamin B1, also known as thiamine exceeds the normal levels in the body, it can cause hypertension or high blood pressure. Similarly, when high doses of vitamin B2, usually referred to as riboflavin is taken, it can cause hypotension or low blood pressure.
As summarized in the table provided, vitamin B12 (cobalamin) absorption and utilization by the body can be compromised with the chronic use of certain medications which include: colchicine, chloramphenicol, ethanol, histamine 2 receptor antagonists (H2RA), metformin, and proton pump inhibitors (PPI).
B vitamins
Several B vitamins may help reduce blood pressure levels. For example, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) supplements have been shown to help reduce blood pressure in adults with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutations, which make high blood pressure more likely ( 11 , 12 , 13 ).