Vitamin B-50 Uses

The B-complex of vitamins refers to a family of eight nutrients: B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-6, B-12, biotin and folic acid. B-50 is a nutritional supplement that includes all eight B vitamins, containing a dosage of 50 milligrams of each, with the exception of biotin and folic acid, which are supplied in different amounts. A B-50 supplement offers numerous health benefits, especially with regard to supplying energy and maintaining metabolic and endocrine function, and ensures that you get an adequate daily supply of each nutrient.

Recommended Daily Allowance

B-complex vitamins are water-soluble, which means they dissolve in water and are eliminated through urine. As a result, they are not stored in the body and have to be replenished daily. A B-50 supplement provides nutrient dosages in excess of the recommended daily allowances established by the Institute of Medicine. However, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, and research conducted by the Society for Orthomolecular Medicine, these higher levels generally do not pose risks to your health.

Preventing Deficiencies

While B vitamins are widely available in many food sources, a B-50 supplement serves to counter the risk of deficiencies. Deficiencies in most types of B vitamins are rare on a population level, but they can produce serious health problems, including anemia, fatigue, respiratory infections, hair loss, abdominal pain, muscle cramps and depression. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, B-12 deficiencies affect roughly 10 to 15 percent of people over 60 years old due to age-related problems absorbing the nutrient in the pancreas, stomach and small intestine.

Folic Acid

Folic acid, or folate, is key to the creation of new cells, and especially important for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant. Folic acid is vital for the formation of DNA and RNA, and is believed to help prevent the DNA changes that lead to cancer. Increasing your folic acid intake before and during pregnancy also significantly lowers the risk of neural tube defects that result in malformations in the development of the spine, brain and skull during gestation. A B-50 supplement typically supplies 400 to 500 mg of folic acid, an amount sufficient to meet the recommended daily allowance. The National Institutes of Health cautions that you should not intake supplements that exceed 1,000 mg of folic acid, as higher doses can contribute to vitamin B-12 deficiencies and result in permanent nerve damage.

Energy and Mood

B complex vitamins are essential to the conversion of food into available energy in the body, and also play an important role in metabolic function. Taking a B-50 supplement can help aid digestion and increase the amount of energy obtained through your diet. Vitamins B-1, B-6 and B-12 all support the health of the nervous system and help the brain function properly. Recent research suggests that B vitamin deficiencies are linked to depression. Among several related studies published over the last decade, a 2005 article in the "Journal of Psychopharmacology" reports that combined oral doses of folic acid and vitamin B-12 are effective in treating depression.

Caution

If you are currently taking a prescription medication or have been diagnosed with a mood disorder, be sure to consult your physician before taking B-50 to discuss possible interactions or risks.