The B-vitamins, like vitamin C, are water-soluble and are not stored in the body. This means that they are needed on a daily basis in order for the body to maintain healthy levels. B-vitamins are part of a family that includes thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folic acid (B9) and cobalamin (B12). They are important for many reasons, from helping your cells grow properly to converting food to energy.

The B-vitamins are often called the “stress” vitamins. When our bodies are forced to withstand the demands of physical or emotional stress, the B-vitamins and other key nutrients are the first to be depleted. The body not only needs specific nutrients to combat stress, but it must also replace the nutrients that stress directly uses up.

Toxicity with the B-vitamins is somewhat rare even at relatively high dosages, except for niacin and pyridoxine. The dosages typically found in high potency B-complex multiples are safe.