B Complex: Can anyone recommend a good B complex... - Thyroid UK

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B Complex

MissFG profile image
27 Replies

Can anyone recommend a good B complex pls?

I have the solgar one but they smell and taste disgusting and make me feel sick. Are all B complex vitamins like this? I thought solgar were a good brand.

Just not sure why they make me feel so sick or what’s in them that doesn’t agree with me. They smell sort of yeasty/malty 🤢

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MissFG
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27 Replies
Oopsy profile image
Oopsy

I’m not sure how they compare but I use Holland and Barrett timed release high strength busy b with vitamin c. They are quite large but I manage to get them down with a large gulp of water!

MissFG profile image
MissFG in reply to Oopsy

Do they smell horrible? I always thought Holland and Barrett weren’t particularly good quality?

Oopsy profile image
Oopsy in reply to MissFG

I don’t think they smell of anything or I haven’t noticed. Someone might be able to recommend a better brand but these are the ones I use. The lady in the shop said they were a good all-round b complex

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Oopsy

Do they contain cyanocobalamin and folic acid? If so, they aren't very good. The good ones contain methylcobalamin and methylfolate. Never take advice from staff in Holland and Barrett, they don't know anything about it.

betty2480 profile image
betty2480

I’d recommend the Igennus super b complex, smell is not noticeable at all x

Elisabeth41 profile image
Elisabeth41

I use Thorne Basic B Complex which is regularly recommended on here. Look up previous posts on here with recommendations from SeasideSusie

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

MissFG

I think some do have a smell that some people find unpleasant.

I use Thorne Basic B, it's a capsule which I can get down quickly and easily so I don't taste anything, I don't think you do with a capsule anyway because the ingredients are inside the shell. I find it fine but I know SlowDragon doesn't like it. She uses Igennus Super B which is a small tablet and she says that is absolutely fine. I haven't tried that one. Both Thorne and Igennus use the bioavailable forms of the vitamins which is what is best, and you generally don't find them in the cheap ones.

Look for methylcobalamin not cyanocobalamin, and methylfolate not folic acid.

I personally don't rate any H&B own brand products but I would caution against the one Oopsy has recommended. It contains cyanocobalamin, folic acid, soya lecithin and has a massive amount of B6 - 100mg, where the normal amount is around 10mg. Long term use of high strength B6 can cause neurological problems, which H&B do touch on in the "Advisory Information".

MissFG profile image
MissFG in reply to SeasideSusie

Thank you are try to source one of those recommended. No point taking a vitamin supplement if it makes you feel sick.

I’d heard some B complex can smell and taste horrible. The solgar is a capsule but still smells. Might go for the one SlowDragon uses. Thank you

betty2480 profile image
betty2480 in reply to MissFG

I bought mine on Amazon xx

MissFG profile image
MissFG in reply to betty2480

I get all my supplements off amazon x

marigold22 profile image
marigold22

I tried a variety of what I now call 'cheap' multi B vitamins including H & B. They didn't make any difference whatsoever to my health .. ie B vits are mainly for nerve health. I now swear by Nature's Best Multi B's. This is a link to the one I take - the B50. Nature's Best do an 'ordinary dose' and a mega high dose (B100)

naturesbest.co.uk/vitamin-b...

I couldn't live without them now.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to marigold22

B vits are not mainly for mental health, they are for nerve health. Not the same thing. :)

Orla9298 profile image
Orla9298

I use Jarrow Formulations B-right, they are good value for a top quality brand.

WhisperSoftly profile image
WhisperSoftly

Country Life Advanced B Complex. Folate, all B Vitamin have smell. Swallow capsule

MissFG profile image
MissFG in reply to WhisperSoftly

I thought that might be the case with all B complex but others have said not. As soon as I open the lid on the Solgar I heave so getting them down me is the issue. Why force them down me if there is a better alternative.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to MissFG

I would give the Igennus a go

SlowDragon does Igennus Super B have an unpleasant odour?

MissFG profile image
MissFG in reply to SeasideSusie

That’s what I’m thinking

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to SeasideSusie

Igennus are best in my view. Tiny tablets and no smell or taste and don't turn your pee bright yellow. Very good quality ingredients. Full dose is two per day, but option to only take one per day

I use to take Jarrow - but had to open capsule and tip powder out. I can't swallow large capsules

MissFG profile image
MissFG in reply to SlowDragon

Great thanks SlowDragon I’ll order them now. Not expensive either. Why do all the others turn your pee yellow? Just curious

janey1234 profile image
janey1234

I use Thorne Basic B too ☺

Oopsy profile image
Oopsy

After reading the comments I might swap mine! Can anyone recommend vitamin c (or a vitamin b inclusive of bit c) ?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Oopsy

Oopsy

As Vit C is quickly excreted from our body, and needs topping up during the day, it's recommended to take Vit C in divided doses. You might be best having a separate B Complex and separate Vit C.

The best form of Vit C is supposed to be Liposomal Vit C which is very expensive, then there is wholefood such as acerola cherry, then there's the synthetic versions which are ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, potasium ascorbate, mixed ascorbates. It depends on your budget, your preference and whether you can cope with ascorbic acid as some people can't.

Oopsy profile image
Oopsy in reply to SeasideSusie

I just looked at the igennus super b which contains vitamin c. Would this be sufficient for a daily dose? Or would I need extra vit c from somewhere else?

I don’t mind paying a bit extra for quality and the convenience of all-in-one tablet?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Oopsy

Oopsy

Vit C supports adrenals, amongst other things. Dr P recommends 2000mg a day, but you can, if you wish, take it to bowel tolerance. So really, it's a personal choice how much you want to take. I take somewhere between 2000-3000mg, because I don't weigh it (I use a powder) I just spoon it out so it's not completely accurate. I've never used Vit C in a combined supplement and I've never used a tablet form. I try to keep excipients/fillers to a minimum so I use pure powder for Vit C, also magnesium.

Oopsy profile image
Oopsy in reply to SeasideSusie

That’s really helpful, thank you x

tiredBFmum profile image
tiredBFmum

has anyone tried lamberts methyl b complex or know if its known for any side effects?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to tiredBFmum

tiredBFmum

Side effects are really specific to the individual, what affects me won't necessarily affect you.

That particular supplement contains 25mg B6 and too much B6 long term can cause neurological problems such as tingling in the extremeties. Recommended amount is 10mg.

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