B vitamins and their new discovered necessity

Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, was the first B vitamin discovered. (1)

Its vital role in energy production, especially in the brain, highlights its significance. (27) Decades of research have linked vitamin B1 deficiency, known as beriberi, to various neurological issues. (28) 

Interestingly, thiamine deficiency and Alzheimer's disease share similarities in memory deficits. (29) A fat-soluble form of vitamin B1 called benfotiamine shows promise for brain health. 

In a 2018 study on an Alzheimer's mouse model, showed promising findings, illuminating the remarkable impact of vitamin B1 and its derivative, benfotiamine, in addressing neurological challenges. (30) 

Vitamin B and sleep promotion

B complex helping fight insomnia

Although B vitamins are commonly added to caffeine supplements or drinks for a physical energy boost, they do not interfere with sleep. 

In fact, research suggests they may even help support healthy sleep. In a recently published clinical trial, 60 people with diagnosed insomnia filled out a questionnaire that quantified their degree of insomnia. 

They were separated into two groups to receive either a placebo or a supplement containing melatonin, vitamins B6, B12, folate, and a form of magnesium. 

Both groups took their pills one hour before going to bed, for three months. (31)

When the participants took the questionnaire again at the end of the study, the placebo group had a slight increase in the degree of insomnia, while those who received the blend supplement reported a nearly 30% reduction in their insomnia scores. 

The authors of the study suggest that their results support the hypothesis that elevated homocysteine levels may be causally related to age-related macular degeneration. 

Depression and anxiety relief

Taking a B-complex is shown to relief depression and anxiety symptoms.

For 60 days a group was taking a B-complex supplement and it was shown to improve depression and anxiety symptoms, compared to placebo. (32)

The active form of folate, 5-MTHF, is especially beneficial against depression. It's been shown to boost the response rate of antidepressant drugs, and it can also help those drugs work more quickly. 

In one study, only 7.04% of subjects taking an antidepressant drug experienced major improvement on a standard depression score. But that number jumped to 18.5% in patients taking 5-MTHF in addition to the drug. (33)

Even more impressive, those with the most severe depression improved by just 16.3% when taking the drug by itself. But that number jumped to 40% when they added 5-MTHF. (33)

In addition, it took 150 days for the severely depressed patients taking just the antidepressant drug to experience improvement. But adding in 5-MTHF cut the time almost in half, with the patients seeing improvements in just 85 days. (33)

Protection from surgery-induced delirium 

An exciting new discovery

Evidence is showing that B vitamins may diminish a serious side effect of major surgery. (34)

In a recent clinical trial, 138 patients with vitamin B12 deficiency undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery were assigned into a control or an experimental group to receive a B-complex solution as part of the surgical procedure. (35)

One of the most frightening potential problems after such major surgeries is postoperative delirium, which is a state characterized by altered consciousness and orientation, and diminished memory, perception, and behavior. (35)

Following surgery, 42% of the patients in the control group experienced postoperative delirium, but only 26% of those in the B-complex group did. (35)

Enhance healthy DNA methylation

What is DNA methylation?

DNA methylation controls the activation of our genes. Without proper DNA methylation, beneficial genes are deactivated while harmful genes can be over-expressed. 

Healthy methylation allows gene expression to support youthful cellular functions. 

DNA methylation influences how your genes are expressed. (36) Accurate estimates of biological age can be assessed through measurements of DNA methylation patterns in the blood. (37)

This can be done using epigenetic clocks, a technology developed by UCLA researchers to measure DNA methylation patterns that provides an epigenetic or biological age estimate.

“Epigenetics” refers to external modifications that occur in gene expression as a result of what we do to our bodies, as opposed to the genetic code we are born with. 

Ingesting overcooked food or inhaling cigarette smoke can lead to deleterious epigenetic changes to DNA. Healthy lifestyles can stimulate beneficial gene expression changes.

Deficits in certain B vitamins can also adversely impact healthy DNA methylation:

Vitamin B6 and Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra, and by the presence of Lewy bodies. (37,38)

Studies have tested the effect of dietary intake of vitamin B6 on Parkinson’s disease. The main reason for this interest is largely the association between Parkinson’s and elevated homocysteine. (39)

Vitamin B6 is important to properly metabolize homocysteine and prevent its dangerous buildup in the body. (42) One meta-analysis suggests that a higher dietary intake of vitamin B6 may be associated with a 35% reduced risk of getting Parkinson’s disease, compared to those with low intake. (39)

The benefits of folate

Folate (5-MTHF) and vitamins B6 (P5P) and B12 (methylcobalmin) are important to properly metabolize homocysteine and prevent its dangerous buildup. 

Aging adults can attain these benefits through regular use of a high-quality multivitamin or a comprehensive B-vitamin complex.

Folate can reverse epigenetic aging in women 

A common gene variant occurs in approximately 40% of people. 

It affects the activity of the enzyme needed to convert vitamin B9 (folate) into its active form, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). (40)

One adverse impact of this methylation deficit is elevated homocysteine blood levels that contribute to atherosclerosis. Vitamins B6 and B12 work together with the 5-MTHF form of folate in the methylation cycle. 

Sufficient levels of these vitamins support the healthy transfer of methyl groups between the molecules, and steps involved in the methylation cycle. When adequate levels of these vitamins are not present, the methylation cycle is impaired. (36)

Epigenetic clocks allow scientists to accurately predict future health spans and lifespans. (41,42) 

A study published in 2018 tested the effect of folate plus vitamin B12 supplementation in measuring changes in epigenetic age in older subjects (65-75). Each subject had different variants of MTHFR genes. 

Participants supplemented with 400 mcg of folic acid and 500 mcg of vitamin B12 daily. (42) After two years, women with a particular MTHFR gene variant showed beneficially reduced epigenetic age.

Those with deleterious MTHFR variants should supplement with higher dosages of the 5-MHTF form of folate, which is more effective than folic acid.  They should also consider using the methylated form of vitamin B12, called methylcobalamin. 

Decreasing macular degeneration risk

A study was done to evaluate the impact of B vitamins on age-related macular degeneration. 

A combination of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 was used in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in women over age 40 who were at high risk for cardiovascular disease. The study period lasted an average of 7.3 years. (42)

Compared to the placebo group, the B-vitamin combination decreased the risk of macular degeneration by 34% and decreased the risk of severe macular degeneration by 41%. (43) 

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References