Vitamin B: Discover the Benefits of its Daily Consumption
Most fitness enthusiasts have heard about the wonders of vitamin B. Any trainer would recommend consuming it daily, be it in pill form or intravenously. In this article, we’ll take a look at how vitamin B contributes to your overall health.
What are B vitamins?
Basically, all vitamins are organic substances that affect the metabolic processes of living beings. But B vitamins are particularly essential to our nutrition, energy level, and muscular health.
Generally speaking, these nutrients can be found in certain foods. The problem is that, due to the fact that they’re water-soluble, a good part of the vitamins are lost when the foods are cooked. This is a consequence of boiling food.
To compensate for this, we recommend taking vitamin B supplements. This is particularly necessary when we perform demanding physical activities. During these activities, our bodies tend to lose both vitamins and minerals. As we’ll see, B vitamins are essential to synthesizing the foods we eat.
What do the different B vitamins do?
- Vitamin B1,B2, and B3: B1 transforms the body’s sugar, and as such is essential to the function of the brain and nervous system. Meanwhile, B2 allows for the absorption of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Finally, B3 promotes the elimination of toxins.
- Vitamin B5, B6, and B7: B5 is essential to the production of coenzyme A, which is important to the metabolism and the synthesis of nutrients. B6 contributes to the conservation of cells, while B7 affects the metabolism of amino acids. The latter also helps the body synthesize carbohydrates, purines, and fats.
- Vitamin B9: this organic substance is vital to cell regeneration, and helps to prevent illnesses as serious as cancer. This vitamin also plays a fundamental role in the prevention of neurodegenerative conditions.
Vitamin B12: a muscular elixir
Also known as cyanocobalamin, vitamin B12 has a positive effect on a variety of metabolic processes. Firstly, it helps maintain muscular energy, improving our performance at the gym or during any other physical activity.
Another benefit is its role in the synthesis of the fatty acids that we consume. Thanks to vitamin B12, we transform these elements into energy and stimulate the production of genetic material.
These benefits translate into improved muscular performance, less fatigue, and the proper function of the nervous system. This is why trainers recommend including them as part of our daily nutrition.
Can you take vitamin B12 daily without consulting a doctor?
Both in pill and intravenous form, vitamin B12 is a good idea for almost everyone. The “chemical” product is quite stable, and there is no dose that is considered toxic. However, excessive consumption is not a good idea.
You can find B vitamin pills at most pharmacies without the need for a prescription. The product is stable in high temperatures, which is why you can store it for a long time without it deteriorating.
On a daily basis, anyone can consume a dose of between 25 to 100 milligrams. You can even consume two pills a day, so long as you don’t exceed the aforementioned dosage. Take one during the day and one at night.
Daily vitamin B consumption: some considerations
In practice, the various types of vitamin B can be found in the foods we eat every day. For instance, both Roquefort cheese and almonds contain vitamin B2. Fish is also a great source for all the different variations.
Another important point to consider: you don’t need to take all the B vitamin variants in order to improve your muscular performance. For example, vitamin B12 alone covers the body’s needs. Of course, this may change if you want to treat a certain illness or a specific situation. In these cases, always consult your doctor.