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B-Complex Explained – InVite Health Podcast, Episode 518
B-complex
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Please see below for a complete transcript of this episode.
B-Complex Explained – InViteⓇ Health Podcast, Episode 518
Hosted by Amanda Williams, MPH
*Intro music*
InViteⓇ Health Podcast Intro: Welcome to the InViteⓇ Health Podcast, where our degreed healthcare professionals are excited to offer you the most important health and wellness information you need to make informed choices about your health. You can learn more about the products discussed in each of these episodes and all that InViteⓇ Health has to offer at www.invitehealth.com/podcast. First time customers can use promo code PODCAST at checkout for an additional 15% off your first purchase. Let’s get started!
*Intro music*
Amanda Williams, MPH:
[00:00:39] Getting to the basics of a B-complex. This is always a subject that comes up when people are trying to decide if they should do a single B-vitamin or if they should do a comprehensive B-complex. Depending upon what your health concerns are, generally speaking, utilizing a B-complex is going to be the first choice. Now you can still potentially need to add in additional, say, B12 on top of your B-complex. But for the most part, a B-complex should give you that coverage that perhaps you’re not getting from your foods. So I’m Amanda Williams, MD, MPH, and let’s talk about what a B-complex is in general.† [00:01:20]
[00:01:21] So we know that there’s 11 different vitamins that make up a B-complex. So those include Vitamin B1, which is thiamin. Vitamin B2, which is riboflavin. B3 is niacin. Then you have B5, which is pantothenic acid. We have B6, which is pyridoxine. B7 is biotin. We have B9, which is folic acid. B10, which is para-aminobenzoic acid. B12, which is cobalamin and then choline and inositol. So choline and inositol are really very unique in terms of what they do. So I just want to kind of do like a brief overview of each individual B-vitamin and for the most part, how they function in the body. Now, keep in mind, they all have multiple functions, so I’m just going to give you some of the the key ways to which these B-vitamins are utilized, which is why it would make sense to take a B-complex to make sure that we’re getting exposure to all of these Bs.† [00:02:23]
[00:02:24] So we know that B1, which is thiamin, this is involved in many different reactions in the body. So we know that it’s very important when it comes to the synthesis of acetylcholine, so for our memory. We certainly know it’s important when it comes to proper metabolism of thyroid hormones. We know it’s important for nerve function. So a reason why someone would maybe take additional B1 by itself, which would be in our Nerve HxⓇ formulation, would be if they had maybe some concerns with different neuropathies, for example. Or maybe they have, you know, a tendency to have high blood sugar levels, then taking additional B1 on top of the B-complex would be incredibly advantageous because we know that when someone has low B1, we can have issues with memory, we can have issues with, you know, that pins and needles feeling in the, in your fingers and your toes. Certainly fatigue. Mood disorders are oftentimes linked with Vitamin B1 insufficiencies or deficiencies.† [00:03:32]
NUTRIENTS FOR NERVE PAIN – INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 35. Listen Now>>
[00:03:33] Then we move on to Vitamin B2, which is riboflavin. Now, riboflavin is highly involved in our body’s energy making processes, but we also recognize that we need to have Vitamin B2 when it comes to our immune system and for the production of antibodies. And when we think about tissue repair, we have to have it for the manufacturing or the regeneration of glutathione, which is one of our body’s most important antioxidants. So we see how B2 is used to catalyze different reactions when it comes to carbohydrate and fat and protein metabolism. Certainly very beneficial when it comes to liver health as well.† [00:04:15]
[00:04:16] Then we move on to Vitamin B3, which is niacin. Now niacin, this definitely has many different functions in the body that I think are highly overlooked, one of which is through the process of proper cholesterol transport. So for managing a healthy balance between your good cholesterol and your bad cholesterol and actually niacin is one of the only things out there that has a really innate ability to drive up or increase your good cholesterol. Now it’s really… A lot of doctors actually prescribe a prescription-based niacin because this is one of the one things that we know for sure about niacin is it can help to raise your good cholesterol. But we know that it’s important also for adrenal function. We certainly see how it can be beneficial when it comes to the manufacturing of tryptophan and serotonin, so we think about our mood, when we think about our sleep cycle. And certainly when we think about energy production, so we can see all of the different ways to which Vitamin B3 niacin is incredibly important.† [00:05:25]
[00:05:25] Then we move on to Vitamin B5, which is pantothenic acid, and we know that this is incredibly important when it comes to our immune system and the formation of antibodies when it comes to fatty acids in the body, how we actually move those fatty acids around so they can be made into energy. We can see how Vitamin B5 also really helps in terms of supporting our red blood cell production, as well as supporting our adrenal glands.† [00:05:57]
[00:05:58] So all of these little vitamins, they all have significant actions in the body and we don’t want to overlook them, which is why a B-complex containing all 11 of these B-vitamins is so very important, and we can see different reasons as to why someone, you know, could potentially have, you know, problems with not getting adequate exposure to these B-vitamins. Many of these B-vitamins are contained in foods that you find in the Mediterranean Diet. If you’re not, you know, if you’re having an ultra processed diet, you’re probably not getting much exposure to these very important B-vitamins.† [00:06:39]
[00:06:40] Now let’s move on to Vitamin B6. This is pyridoxine. Now pyridoxine, this is really quite interesting. This has many functions once again when we look at our sleep cycle, when we look at the production of hydrochloric acid within our gut, when we look at the transfer of different amino acid groups and the metabolism of amino acids. We know it’s highly important when it comes to the way that our body detoxifies, so through the methylation reactions for vascular support to make sure we don’t have inflammation occurring within our blood vessels. So we know that Vitamin B6, this is a big one when it comes to the neurotransmitter support, when it comes to the detoxification. Very, very important B-vitamin.† [00:07:29]
[00:07:30] And then we look at biotin. Now, many people think about biotin in the setting of, for our hair and our skin and our nails. And certainly we know that biotin, which is Vitamin B7, we know that this functions in our body to help to strengthen our nails. We know that it also works to enhance insulin sensitivity. We know that we require biotin when it comes to fatty acid synthesis. So we think about, once again, our mood, our energy levels, our skin health, our hair health, nervous system health and, once again, natural sources of biotin oftentimes are not included in a standard American diet, but certainly exposure to, you know, foods that are contained within a Mediterranean diet, you would get a better exposure because we’re looking at things like walnuts and pecans are really wonderful sources. Almonds, some of the cruciferous vegetables have a really nice source of biotin. But is it going to be enough? This is why taking a B-complex is always advantageous.† [00:08:41]
[00:08:43] Then we move on to folic acid, which is B9. We can see once again that folic acid plays a really important role when it comes to the way our body detoxifies. We know that we need to have folate for the synthesis of hemoglobin. Remember, we have to have hemoglobin for the transport of oxygen. We also know that when it comes to just our early development that folic acid plays a really key factor in the way that the central nervous system develops. We know that we need to have folic acid for the conversion of dopamine. So we’re looking at neurotransmitter production again. We’re looking at cardiovascular. We know it’s essential for the way that our cellular DNA is working.† [00:09:29]
[00:09:30] And then we take another step and we say B12. So now we’re moving down the the 11 B-vitamins in that B-complex. So Vitamin B12 is cobalamin, and we certainly know that most people associate B12 with energy, and we know that it’s clearly a regulator when it comes to DNA production in the body. We know it’s important in conjunction with folic acid when it comes to the detoxification pathways and energy production. And we can also see how it is required for red blood cell metabolism. It’s required for proper digestion. There’s a lot of different moving parts when it comes to B12. When we think about carnitine, the amino acid carnitine is highly reliant on B12 in terms for allowing the fatty acids to be generated into energy.† [00:10:31]
[00:10:33] So now we can start to see, yeah, we need these B-vitamins. These are pretty darn important. And then we add in the choline and the inositol. So this is what rounds out our complete B-complex. Choline is very key when we think about the making of acetylcholine, and acetylcholine is our primary neurotransmitter that’s involved with memory. We know that choline is essential for just normal brain function, for liver function. It aids in the metabolism of the fats that we take in and then we inositol. Now, this is really a unique B-vitamin as well. We know that inositol is very integral when it comes to its ability to create kind of a calming effect within the brain, but it’s also required for that cell to cell communication. So with our brain cells being able to communicate properly, then we get better and more effective release of those key neurotransmitters. So we can see why inositol oftentimes is utilized in traditional medicine when it comes to treatment for things like depression and panic disorders and anxiety. We know that we need to have inositol when it comes to the metabolism of our sex hormones. We know it’s key when it comes to the metabolism of fats throughout the body.† [00:11:59]
[00:12:00] So there are many different ways in which a B-complex is yielding us incredibly comprehensive support. So when people ask me, “Should I take a B-complex, like I’m already taking a multivitamin, should I also take a B-complex?” I always say knowing that out of those 11 B-vitamins, they have so many different responsibilities and actions to do in our body each and every single day, it would be incredibly advantageous to add in a B-complex to your daily routine. So you can look at our B-Complex 100 as a perfect example. So you’re getting all 11 of those essential B-vitamins to really support your mood and your energy and your overall wellness.† [00:12:44]
[00:12:45] So that is all that I have for you for today. I want to thank you so much for tuning into the InViteⓇ Health Podcast. Remember, you can find all of our episodes for free wherever you listen to podcasts or by visiting invitehealth.com/podcast. Now, do make sure that you subscribe and you leave us a review. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and we will see you next time for another episode of the InViteⓇ Health Podcast.† [00:12:45]
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HbA1C: Why It Matters to Healthy Aging – InVite Health Podcast, Episode 515
HbA1C HbA1C HbA1C HbA1C HbA1C HbA1C HbA1C HbA1C HbA1C HbA1C HbA1C HbA1C HbA1C
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Please see below for a complete transcript of this episode.
HbA1C: Why It Matters to Healthy Aging – InViteⓇ Health Podcast, Episode 515
Hosted by Amanda Williams, MPH
*Intro music*
InViteⓇ Health Podcast Intro: Welcome to the InViteⓇ Health Podcast, where our degreed healthcare professionals are excited to offer you the most important health and wellness information you need to make informed choices about your health. You can learn more about the products discussed in each of these episodes and all that InViteⓇ Health has to offer at www.invitehealth.com/podcast. First time customers can use promo code PODCAST at checkout for an additional 15% off your first purchase. Let’s get started!
*Intro music*
Amanda Williams, MPH:
[00:00:40] Why you should test your Hemoglobin A1C level on an annual basis is really important. Oftentimes, when we think about HbA1c, we think in the setting of diabetes. And of course, this is the key indicator for the measuring and monitoring of diabetics. But it’s also very important that we know if we are prediabetic or if our Hemoglobin A1C level is in a good and healthy range. So today I want to talk about what exactly HbA1c is and some different nutrients that can be very beneficial when it comes to targeting glycation.† [00:01:10]
[00:01:11] I’m Amanda Williams, MD, MPH and Hemoglobin A1C is a marker that we assess when it comes to the management of your blood sugar and Hemoglobin A1C is basically measuring the amount of blood sugar that’s attached to hemoglobin. And when we think about glycation, I’ve mentioned this on many different shows and podcasts before, why glycation and advanced glycation end products are so detrimental. So we know that every time that we eat, we are going to get a rise in blood sugar, blood glucose. And this is irrelevant if someone’s a diabetic or not a diabetic, your blood sugar is going to go up. What happens is that if we get this rise in advanced glycation end products, this can do significant damage. So when you understand that these glycation products actually hook on to things such as proteins, and we’re thinking hemoglobin, which is a protein, and this is an indication that damage is being done at the level of our red blood cell. We’re thinking about Hemoglobin A1C. What we know about advanced glycation end products is that they deactivate enzymes, they disrupt cell signaling pathways. They certainly can damage our cellular DNA. They can drive up inflammation and oxidative stress, all of things that are incredibly problematic for our body.† [00:02:37]
CHRONIC INFLAMMATION, PART 1 – INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 498. Listen Now>>
[00:02:38] So we think about Hemoglobin A1C. What we’re actually looking for is the rate of glycation, those advanced glycation end products that are actually attaching to your red blood cell. Now, understanding that red blood cells have a lifespan of 120 days. So when you assess Hemoglobin A1C, this is exactly what we’re looking at. We’re looking at the rate of glycation that occurs over the course of that three months, which is why it’s a much better test to run than, say, if you were to just test your fasting glucose. Fasting glucose is a snapshot in time, it’s telling you what’s happening right now, but it doesn’t give us a clear indication of how much of that elevated glucose is actually going to convert into those advanced glycation end products and wreak havoc when it comes to our hemoglobin. So when assessing for prediabetes and diabetes, Hemoglobin A1C is always the go to. If that level is high, that indicates that there is a high level of glycation that is occurring. And this is problematic not just because it shows that we’ve got significant insulin resistance and the body is having a hard time managing glucose. But we know that this is going to impact every other organ system in the body. So when you think about your heart, when you think about your kidneys, when you think about the nervous system, we know that those AGEs, as they are known, will create a lot of bad things for us.† [00:04:02]
[00:04:03] Now, when you look at the rates or the levels, I should say, what those actually mean. So say you go in and you have a Hemoglobin A1C test done. What you’re looking for, ideally according to most labs, is a Hemoglobin A1C level at 5.7 or below. I look at that to be even lower. I think it should be 5.5 or lower. You’re considered a prediabetic when your hemoglobin A1C level is coming back at 5.7 To 6.4. Now, once you reach a Hemoglobin A1C level that is above a 6.5, now you are categorized or diagnosed as being a diabetic. Now I have seen Hemoglobin A1C levels in the teens, 15, 16 20, and that is incredibly alarming if you see a level that high because you now recognize that that glycation has gone well outside of just your hemoglobin and this is now likely to be hitting up your nervous system in a significant manner. You know, really creating havoc within your vascular system. So the evaluation of Hemoglobin A1C in terms of long term blood sugar control is one of the most important things that we can assess, not only in the setting of just blood glucose regulation, but when we think about our aging process. And I always say we want to age gracefully if we’re walking around with high levels of advanced glycation end products that are damaging certain areas of the body, we need to be aware of this so we can make corrections to our lifestyle when it comes to diet, when it comes to exercise and obviously when it comes to the nutrients that you are taking in.† [00:05:39]
[00:05:39] So Hemoglobin A1C, commonly tested in diabetics, we know that, you know, if you go in to your doctor, they’re not just going to generally run a Hemoglobin A1C unless they have a suspicion that you are a diabetic. The problem is, is that we know there are so many prediabetics in this country. At the last estimate, it was around 80 million people who are actually prediabetic, meaning that that Hemoglobin A1C level is testing back at 5.7 to 6.4. That’s a problem because if you, say you’re wavering at 5.6, you need to be making those corrections. You don’t want to wait until the level of glycation damage is such that you are now technically a prediabetic or a full blown diabetic. So it’s very important. This is why when doctors assess Hemoglobin A1C, they always say this gives us an look at how well your average blood sugar levels have been running over the course of the past two to three months. Because remember, what we’re looking at is that life span of a red blood cell. So in general, that’s kind of the way that it is looked at. Remember, hemoglobin is a protein, and we know that those advanced glycation end products love to attach to proteins. So this is why this is a very accurate test to do.† [00:06:52]
[00:06:53] So say, for example, your hemoglobin A1C is not technically putting you at a prediabetic or a diabetic, but it’s still higher than you would like to see. So maybe you’re at 5.6, then what should you be doing? Or let’s just say you’re in that prediabetic range or even the diabetic range? What should you be doing? Well, we want to make sure that we’re taking nutrients that we know are very geared towards targeting advanced glycation end products with the regulation of blood glucose and enhancing the insulin sensitivity. So this is where Nerve HxⓇ becomes your new best friend because this is a fat-soluble form of Vitamin B1. And what’s really unique about this fat-soluble B1? So remember, all of our B-vitamins are water-soluble, so this is very unique in and of itself that it is of a fat-soluble variety. But we know that it does something really important, which is the activation of an enzyme called transketolase. Now, transketolase helps our body convert these toxic glucose metabolites into harmless or neutral compounds so that the body can then manage them so they’re not converting into these AGEs or advanced glycation end products. So this is why Nerve HxⓇ containing the benfotiamine is certainly one of the little weapons in your arsenal.† [00:08:10]
CHRONIC INFLAMMATION, PART 1 – INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 498. Listen Now>>
[00:08:11] But I would also look towards other nutrients that we know are incredibly beneficial when it comes to targeting AGEs or glycation in the body. And that would include things such as Alcar with ALA. We certainly understand the important multimodal functions of alpha lipoic acid in the body, and when it comes to the way that alpha lipoic acid can help the body with that regulation of those glycation and products. So Nerve HxⓇ is a first and foremost, then we also want to look at Alcar with ALA. We want to make sure that we are changing our diet, that we are not creating these major spikes in blood sugar. So adherence to a Mediterranean diet is certainly important. Getting adequate exercise, even if it’s, you know, 20, 30 minutes a day of just light walking can make an impact on how your body is managing your blood glucose. So this is also key.† [00:09:05]
[00:09:05] And then we can look at formulations such as the Gluco HxⓇ, which you would take about 15 minutes prior to meals. This is a combination of key minerals, trace minerals such as chromium and vanadium that help to wake up your insulin, along with extracts such as bitter melon, which have been shown in human clinical trials to be incredibly powerful at promoting the wakefulness of our insulin. And this is always important. We want to make sure that insulin can respond to those big increases in glucose, so it helps to push that down, so we are less likely to allow our body to make those advanced glycation end products. So Hemoglobin A1C certainly is a test that would be advantageous to request your doctor to to run, even if you don’t have those concerns of being a diabetic or prediabetic. It certainly can give you a lot of insight as to how while your body is managing those advanced glycation and products and it gives you that open door to be able to make those modifications based off of where that level is. So definitely next time you go in and you have your blood work done, check out Hemoglobin A1C, make sure that you test that. If you have issues, you know the nutrients that you can turn to to give you some additional support.† [00:10:17]
[00:10:18] I want to thank you so much for tuning in to the InViteⓇ Health Podcast. Remember, you can listen to all of our episodes for free wherever you listen to podcasts, make sure that you subscribe and leave us a review. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We will see you next time for another episode of the InViteⓇ Health Podcast.† [00:10:18]
*Exit music*