Doctor's Best Fully Active B Complex, Non-GMO, Gluten & Soy Free, Vegan, Supports Energy Production, 30 Count

Solid B Complex – With A Caveat – Read…

For the money, this B-vitamin complex is great! A fraction of the cost of other "high-end" formulas. Doctor's Best QC is notably down from what it was, though. So, heads up. That said, the downside is the EXTREMELY exaggerated levels of B3 and B12. For some, this form of B6 will actually DEPLETE natural B6 levels (which aid in serotonin - melatonin balance / production, sleep cycles), as it has to be converted into a usable form by the body. And while the extra vitamin C (ascorbic acid) aids in metabolizing B vitamins, it can also cause stomach upset and rank flavor. Take those into consideration, ESPECIALLY if you combine this with a multivitamin that also contains B vitamins. Too much B12 and B6 can cause anxiety, slow metabolism, restlessness, and even a "buzzing" sensation in the nervous system. Why? Overload. PROS: Best forms of Biotin and Folic Acid (Folate). Best forms of all B vitamins, with exception to B6. If you take melatonin (with B6) at night, you can counter the B6 depletion, but be ready for your body to try to flush out the excess, as most B vitamins are water-soluble. CONS: An insane amount of B6 and B12; 3-4 times what the average adult can realistically use. Overload happens and flushing, usually. Urine will turn greenish color, which is GOOD; it means that the body is discarding excess that it doesn't need. Here's the deal. If you take B vitamins to help with sleep and overall mood, these excesses can actually go against why you're taking them to start with. People with mal-absorption issues require higher doses to achieve the same benefit. However, Doctor's Best needs to dial back these levels to a reasonable level. Smack the "Helpful" button if this has helped you in any way? Thanks

104 persons found it helpful

Inexpensive methylated B vitamins with a caviat

Doctor's Best B Complex is a great, inexpensive option if you are looking for methylated B vitamins. It did not cause nausea, as some B vitamins do, and I did see an increase in energy with these vitamins. The price is certainly outstanding, and it's use of 6s-5 methyltetrahydrofolate and methylcobalamin makes it a wonderful option for those in need of methylation support. However, because it lists both pyridoxine hydrochloride and pyridoxal 5-phosphate - in that order, and without specific amounts of each - my doctor has recommended that our family switch to Seeking Health's B Complex Plus. According to Dr. Ben Lynch, those with methylation issues must be careful to use the p-5-p version of B6, as it is the active version of this vitamin. That said, if you do not struggle with methylation issues, Doctor's Best may be an excellent,economic "active B complex" option

89 persons found it helpful

Beward of Niacin Flush

Be prepared for a huge niacin flush with this vitamin. Burning, itching and redness are guaranteed within 20 minutes of taking (I looked like a boiled lobster). I did not realize that all people get a niacin flush with this type of B3 at 50mg or higher. I learned this only afterwards; for some reason I thought the dosage had to be much higher. That said, it's probably a very good B Complex, and may work for you, just be prepared for the flush. Personally, I am a wimp and don't want to go through that after every dose

68 persons found it helpful

What a Steal!…Great Product!…Contains 100% methyl-Folate/Quatrefolic/5-MthF!

Thrilled to find methylated/co-enzyme/active B-Vitamins at such a great price. Methylated B vits. are fully active, your body does not have to 'convert' these in to a usable form - they are already fully absorbable & ready to get to work in your body - - unlike 'old-fashioned'! non-methylated B's (i.e.: B50 complexes & the like) which actually require your body to 'convert' those to a usable form, this process itself is difficult for the body/liver & more so for certain genetic 'mutants'! - Long story short - methylated/activated/co-enzyme B-Vitamins are far superior (my opinion!) & better absorbed than the kind of B-complexes you might find at your local drug-store or Gas Station .... I used to use Jarrow 'B-right' but they changed the formula to contain a mix of synthetic/fake Folic acid & 5-mthf, whereas the Doctors Best brand contains 100% Quatrefolic (5mthf) - so Doctors Best is my preferred choice now! .... I get a definite boost in energy & mental clarity .... I take these every day along side my Amino Acids - the B's ensure that the Aminos can do their job And of course a healthy daily intake of B's is essential for practically every process in the body & to help the Liver keep on humming-along! Two big thumbs up for Doctors Best fully Active B-complex! The product got here (Hawaii) very quickly - 2 days faster than anticipated arrival! Amazon outdoes itself yet again

48 persons found it helpful

This is the Best Choice

Out of all the options on Amazon this is the only one that contains a safe but effective amoun of b9 in the form of methylfolate, no one should take more than 400mcg per day, the dose makes the poison. It also contains a sufficient amount of B6 and B12 which I (and many people) have a genetic predisposition towards not absorbing well

26 persons found it helpful

Good mood, lots of energy!

Great supplement. While taking this I was in a super good mood and had lots of energy... Maybe a little too much energy since I was still wide awake at bedtime. I was taking one at breakfast and one at lunch, so maybe only take it in the morning if you want to sleep at night. UPDATE 7/2019: We found out my husband has the MTHFR Gene mutation, which means our kids might also. I already had this supplement in stock, so he started taking it. He is so much more calm and happy. His stress and anxiety have been reduced significantly. His appetite and sugar cravings have also been reduced and that is causing a reduction in his waistline... I also started opening capsules and mixing into applesauce for the kids. They seem to have fewer meltdowns and are generally more pleasant to have around :

25 persons found it helpful

Very nice – Intelligently designed – A little methyfolate, methycobalamin, and appropriate doses of other B vitamins

Very nice - Intelligently designed - A little methyfolate, methycobalamin, and appropriate doses of other B vitamins Does not cause stomach distress or headaches Do you need it? Maybe getting vitamins from food is enough, but taking this seems to help me with stamina later in the day. I take one with breakfast and with dinner

24 persons found it helpful

Niacin Inclusion Problematic?

I'm giving three stars because of the inclusion of niacin. I can't prove it but I think this complex made me feel worse. This is not necessarily going to be the case for folks without any methylation mutations. This activated b complex might have been fine for me if not for the niacin. I had the worst flushing attack in the form of an anxiety attack that I've had in years after taking the Doctor's Best activated b complex. I know that my experience is anecdotal/subjective but I won't take any niacin containing supplement again now. It is time that individual genetics always be considered in prescribing and supplementing. The human genome has been mapped and we now know that there are great variations in response to a given substance depending on the SNP hand one has been dealt. If you are a SNP free methylator (or perhaps an over methylator?) then this product may be great for you. It will turn your urine canary yellow, that's for sure

22 persons found it helpful

so switched to Best Fully Active Folate in order to avoid it

A fabulous product, but be careful of the niacin. Many people are missing the gene to process B vitamins, and this product has made a huge difference for several of my family members. However, I couldn't handle the high dose of niacin in this product (it caused excessive, though temporary, flushing and skin rash), so switched to Best Fully Active Folate in order to avoid it

21 persons found it helpful

Clear change in eneegy levels!

I had originally purchased this product in a local store but found that Amazon had a better price and, of course, door-to-door delivery. So far I am hooked! I feel a noticeable increase in energy when I take these pills and when I forget, I also dragged through the day. Each of the vitamins are inactive form and of high quality so my body does not have to convert anything before it's in usable form. The only thing I would recommend is to make sure you take this with a meal. I do notice nausea if I take it on an empty stomach but as long as you eat breakfast in the morning this should never be an issue. Thank you so much for making a high-quality product. I have tried others and this is by far the best

20 persons found it helpful