So why is vitamin B good for you? Well, that question is one that cannot simply be answered by saying it gives you energy, or is an antioxidant. There is more to the vitamin B story and some things you should know about the vitamin.

- What is Vitamin B?

The first thing to know about vitamin B is that it is a water-soluble vitamin and it also plays an important role in the metabolism of your cells. Early research of the vitamin concluded that vitamin B was one vitamin, much like vitamin C. However, we now know that vitamin B is chemically made up of distinct vitamins that coexist in some of the foods we eat. When a substance contains all the B vitamins it is known as a vitamin B complex. A vitamin B tonic would most likely have all the B vitamins as well.

What are these B Vitamins?

- B Vitamins include the following:
- B1 (thiamine)
- B2 (riboflavin)
- B3 (niacin)
- B5 (pantothenic acid)
- B7 (biotin)
- B9 (folic Acid)
- B12 (cobalamin)

So this means that all 7 of these vitamins will cover the entire B vitamin spectrum and a vitamin b tonic will contain most, or all of these B vitamins.

What do these Vitamins do?

- B1: Thiamin is essential for neural function and carbohydrate metabolism.

- B2: Riboflavin is used for a number of cellular processes and plays a key role in the health of animals.

- B3: Niacin plays a metabolic function in living cells, DNA repair and the production of steroid hormones in the adrenal gland. It is also used to flush the system of toxins.

- B5: Pantothenic acid is required to sustain life and is essential for the breakdown and synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

- B6: Pyridoxine assists in the balance of sodium and potassium and also promotes red blood cell production.

- B7: Biotin is necessary for cell growth and with the production of fatty acids. It also helps with the breakdown of fats and amino acids.

- B9: Folic Acid is essential for the production and maintenance of new cells and will prevent anemia during a pregnancy. It is important for rapid cell growth.

- B12: Cobalamin is needed for normal nerve cell activity, DNA replication and the production of SAMe which is a mood affecting substance. The Cobalamin family is actually several different vitamins all of which have a particular nutritional activity in preventing a vitamin deficiency disease.

- Vitamin B Tonic:

A vitamin B tonic is going to contain some or all of these B vitamins in a tonic form. A tonic is simply a medicine that strengthens and invigorates the body. So a vitamin B tonic will most likely contain thiamin (b1), nicotinamide (B3) with some caffeine (so it enters the blood stream faster) and possibly a mild stimulant. Vitamin B tonics could be the way to go if you are interested in getting essential B vitamins in a liquid form with some added pep and energy.