We prefer this brand because...

This formula has an excellent amount of pantothenic acid, vitamin B5, in biologically balanced proportions along with the other synergistic B-vitamins to support its actions. We have found Stress B-Complex, as a vitamin B5-rich source, to be highly effective for energy, stamina, rebuilding after stress, and for adrenal depletion and inflammatory arthritis. We also use it for its vitamin B6 actions as it includes the highly bioavailable pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (P5P) form of vitamin B6; it is consistently helpful for patients with PMS, cold sores, needing nerve protection, and more.

Stress B-Complex contains riboflavin, folic acid and niacin in their biologically ready forms that are most rapidly utilized by the body. Several of the B-complex family of vitamins must be converted in the liver into their active forms. People with compromised liver function, poor enzyme function, digestive disturbances, or who are aged over sixty may not be able to effectively make the conversion and thus are at risk for subclinical deficiencies.

For supporting low-normal or sluggish thyroid function, the generous dose of vitamin B5 with correct proportions of other B-complex nutrients has proven to be effective. We’ve had a good number of patients over the years achieve and sustain normal TSH blood values and improved energy using Stress B-Complex. We also like that its B vitamins are not sourced from yeast.

About this product

Vitamin B5, pantothenic acid, is an essential nutrient which the body cannot make and is found in whole grain cereals, legumes, eggs, meat, avocado, and yogurt. Pantothenic acid is fundamental for the body’s production of coenzyme A (CoA) and acyl carrier protein, or ACP. Both have crucial roles in the manufacture of adrenal cortex hormones and red blood cells and for burning carbohydrates and fats for energy. Pantothenic acid has a key role in making the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and producing cholesterol for cell membranes and hormone synthesis. It also has a crucial role in the health of the adrenal glands themselves; pantothenic acid deficiency leads to adrenal gland atrophy. In practice, we find pantothenic acid is valuable for adrenal support and fostering better thyroid function.

For patients who have suffered prolonged stress, it provides extra building blocks to rebuild adrenal hormones including essential cortisol. If the normal diurnal rhythm is lost, where cortisol is higher in the morning and low in the afternoon, pantothenic acid along with the vitamin B family can help restore the natural pattern and improve energy and steady stamina over a day. For overt adrenal depletion, where cortisol levels are uniformly low throughout the day and the patient feels worn out, we see pantothenic acid can often be foundational for restoring reserves. Borderline or sluggish thyroid function, where the blood TSH level is above the ideal 2.5 score but below frankly hypothyroid at 4.0, can be greatly helped by pantothenic acid; we have a good number of patients for whom it worked to normalize the TSH reading and significantly improve energy and vitality.

People with rheumatoid arthritis or other types of inflammatory arthritis often have low levels of pantothenic acid in their bodies; the greater their deficiency, the more severe their symptoms are. Taking pantothenic acid was observed in double-blind trials to reduce the duration of morning stiffness, the intensity of pain, and the overall amount of disability compared to controls.

Vitamin B6, pyridoxine, occurs in the body as the active form pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (P5P). The main food sources include whole grains, legumes, vegetables including carrots, spinach and peas, milk, cheese, eggs, fish, liver, meat, and flour. Vitamin B6 is critical for the production of proteins and other structural molecules, for neurotransmitters and formation of the myelin sheath that wraps around nerve fibers, and for synthesis of hemoglobin, red blood cells and prostaglandins. It is also essential for hormone balance, energy production from carbohydrate breakdown, and immune function. Vitamin B6 deficiency symptoms include depression, impaired nerve conduction, high blood sugar, dry and cracked lips, and eczema.

Clinically, vitamin B6 helps PMS: since the 1970s close to twenty double-blind studies have found that taking vitamin B6 for one to two weeks before the next period reduces breast tenderness, mood changes and bloating in up to 84% of patients. It is also helpful for oral herpes, or cold sores, because it enhances immune response and nourishes oral tissues.

Additionally, vitamin B6 has several heart protective actions: it is essential along with vitamin B12 and folic acid for reducing homocysteine, a body waste molecule which damages the endothelial cells that line arteries. People with low P5P levels have a five times higher chance of having a heart attack. Vitamin B6 also gently lowers blood pressure, protects “bad” LDL cholesterol from oxidative damage that could make it stick in arteries, and reduces platelet clumping and the risk of clots. For diabetes, pyridoxine or P5P can improve glucose use and protect nerves from diabetic neuropathy. It may also relieve carpal tunnel symptoms after three or more months of use.

Thiamin was the first B vitamin to be discovered. It is necessary for energy production in the heart, brain, and all tissues, and therapeutically it can improve cardiac output for patients with congestive heart failure and prolonging their survival rate. Riboflavin, vitamin B2, is converted in the body to the cofactors flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin-adenine dinucleotide (FAD) which transfer electrons in about fifty enzymes involved in energy production. It is documented to help prevent migraines, and to possibly reduce the risk of cataracts. Niacin, vitamin B3, is a precursor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), which are essential for making ATP and oxidation-reduction reactions. Since the 1950s, niacin has been known to lower cholesterol, and in its inositol hexaniacinate form, it opens blood vessels and improves blood flow for peripheral vascular disorders and Raynaud’s. Choline is an adjunct member of the B-vitamin family, recently classified as an essential nutrient, and it is required for the transport of fat out of the liver, known as a “lipotropic” effect. It is needed to make the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and for cell membrane constituents including phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin. In the diet, it occurs as phosphatidylcholine in nuts, seeds and legumes.

Most B vitamins, except for vitamin B12, are not stored in the body, so they must be consumed each day in food. The water-soluble B vitamins and vitamin C are best absorbed if taken along with carbohydrate foods such as root vegetables, legumes, whole grains or nuts because vitamin-absorbing receptors in the small intestine actually respond to unwrapping the vitamins from carbohydrates. Without food, the isolated vitamins have limited assimilation and are rapidly conjugated by the liver in an attempt to clear them out.

Contents

1 capsule provides:

Thiamin (as thiamin HCl) 50 mg
Riboflavin (25 mg as riboflavin and 3.6 mg as riboflavin 5′-phosphate) 28.6 mg
Niacin (as niacinamide) 80 mg
Pantothenic acid as calcium pantothenate) 250 mg
Vitamin B6 (25 mg as pyridoxine HCl and 3.4 mg as pyridoxal 5′-phosphate) 28.4 mg
Folate (as L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate from L-5-methyltetrahydrofolic Acid, Glucosamine Salt) 334 mcg DFE
Vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin) 100 mcg
Biotin 80 mcg
Choline citrate 14 mg

Other Ingredients: Hypromellose (derived from cellulose) capsule, Magnesium Laurate, Magnesium Citrate, Silicon Dioxide.

This product uses Gnosis S.p.A.‚”L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolic Acid, Glucosamine Salt (Quatrefolic®). Quatrefolic® is a registered trademark of Gnosis S.p.A

This product does not contain artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, gluten, dairy, or soy.

Cautions

Always take natural remedies under the supervision of your health care provider. Do not use Stress B-Complex without consulting your physician if you take furosemide or digoxin for heart health as these medications can cause low thiamin and necessitate larger replacement doses.

Do not use Stress B-Complex without the advice of your healthcare professional if you take medicines for hypothyroidism or for an adrenal disorder such as Addison’s disease, and monitor blood endocrine status, as vitamins B5 and B6 may lead to needing lower medication doses.

Supplementation with 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) is not recommended with methotrexate therapy for oncology treatment as it can interfere with methotrexate’s activity; however, 5-MTHF has not been shown to disrupt the anti-inflammatory activity of methotrexate, and methotrexate for psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis can safely be continued.

Do not use Stress B-Complex during pregnancy or lactation without the guidance of your physician as there is insufficient data on safe use during pregnancy.