What Vitamin Pill Can I Take To Boost My Metabolism?

Genetics generally predetermine your rate of metabolism, but with the right vitamins, your body can burn through calories more effectively. According to Medline Plus, B vitamins help the body’s process that makes energy from food. The B vitamins help boost the protein and carbohydrate metabolism and form red blood cells. Incorporating B vitamin supplements in your diet might help prevent diseases and support fat burning. Side effects or adverse reactions may occur when taking B vitamin pills, consult a doctor or discontinue the supplement if you experience stomach pain, diarrhea or vomiting.

Vitamin B Pills and Food Sources

Use daily B vitamins to support a balanced diet; supplements should not replace food sources. The American Dietetic Association recommends getting most of your B vitamins from food rather than supplements, due to the other binding vitamins and minerals found in food sources. Foods high in B vitamins include meat, fish, green vegetables, beans and eggs. Select high-quality vitamin pills from a reputable brand that is free from gelatin, lactose, dairy, nut traces, and artificial preservatives.

Recommended Daily Allowance for Women

Use the dietary reference intakes as a guide to get the right amount of B vitamins and avoid an overdose. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academies has determined the recommended daily allowance and adequate intake for B vitamins. Women 19 and older require 1.1 milligrams of riboflavin, 1.3 milligrams of B-6, 1.1 milligrams of thiamin, 14 milligrams of niacin, 400 micrograms of folate, 2.4 micrograms of B-12, 5 micrograms of pantothenic acid and 30 micrograms of biotin.

Recommended Daily Allowance for Men

Institute of Medicine reports men 19 and older require 1.3 milligrams of riboflavin, 16 milligrams of niacin, 1.3 milligrams to 1.7 milligrams of B-6, 1.2 milligrams of thiamin, 400 micrograms of folate, 2.4 micrograms of B-12, 5 milligrams pantothenic acid and 30 micrograms of biotin.

Warnings and Considerations

The B vitamins and magnesium are key components in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and protein. Although each B vitamin has various functions, they work more efficiently together; therefore, get all the B vitamins from food sources and vitamin pills when needed. Apart from B-12, the other B vitamins can be dangerous in high doses; use the RDA as a guide and check vitamin supplement labels. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding discuss B vitamin supplements with your doctor before use.