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:: Vitamins and Minerals
The Vitamin B Family
The members of this family are key to keeping
your body energized.
- B 1 (a.k.a. thiamin) helps keep your appetite
stable. The RDA is 1.5 mg for men and 1.1 mg
for women. B1
- B 2 (a.k.a. riboflavin) also helps with energy
metabolism. Riboflavin aids your eyes
and works for healthier skin. The RDA
for men is 1.7 mg and women should aim for 1.3
mg per day. B2
- B 3 (a.k.a. niacin) is actually made by your
body. Niacin helps your metabolism, improves
the condition of your skin, and supports
both the digestive and nervous systems.
Since you may have enough B 3 in your diet, the
RDA is merely an estimate. Men should get 19
mg per day and women should get 15 mg. B3
- B 6 allows you to think more clearly,
supports the immune system and hormone
activity. The intake of alcohol prohibits
your B6 activity, so people who drink should
especially watch for their B6 levels. Men should
get 2 mg a day and women should get 1.6 mg. B6
- B 12 protects your nervous system and
supports both bone growth and metabolism.
Men and women should get about 2 mg a day. B12
- Folate (a.k.a. folic acid) is essential
for new cell development. And yet, your
body is a snob when it comes to accepting this
B vitamin. While you can get folic acid from
eating leafy greens, legumes and liver, your
body doesn't like to absorb it from these sources.
Only half of the folate you get from foods will
be accepted. Instead, your body prefers the
so-called "free" folate found in supplements.
Men should get 200 mg a day and women should
get 180 mg per day.
 
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