When & Why To Take B Vitamins

B vitamins act like spark plugs in your body, so if you’re falling short, your internal engine can’t run at full capacity. If you feel like you’re plugging along at 25 miles-per-hour when you want to be going 60, you just might need more

- Vera Tweed

“B vitamins help provide energy by acting with enzymes to convert carbohydrates to glucose, and also are important in fat and protein metabolism,” says Elson Haas, MD, an integrative physician and author of Staying Healthy with Nutrition. In addition, he says, “They’re very important for the normal functioning of the nervous system and are often helpful in bringing relaxation or energy to individuals who are stressed or fatigued.”

The Bs are also necessary for healthy skin, hair, and eyes. And, adds Haas: “The general muscle tone of the gastrointestinal tract is enhanced with proper levels of B vitamins, allowing the bowels to function most efficiently.”