Bioactive B Vitamins Are Critical For Promoting Brain Health — Here's Why

To say that B vitamins are important to whole-body health is a serious understatement. These eight essential vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, B6, biotin, folate, and B12) are critical for brain function, neurotransmitter production, healthy methylation, and more.* 

Approximately 50% of the U.S. population has a gene variant of the MTHFR gene, which provides instructions for your body to convert folate (vitamin B9) to its active form (5-MTHF), which is vital for cellular pathways that drive a whole-body biological process called methylation.*

While converting folate to 5-MTHF isn't entirely impossible with an MTHFR gene variation, this unique polymorphism can reduce active folate production by up to 70%1, which can cause real health concerns down the road.

However, when supplements feature B vitamins that are already in their bioactive forms (and for folate and vitamin B12, that means their methylated forms), folks with an MTHFR gene variant are getting nutrients they can readily use in cells and organs throughout their body (yes, including your brain). 

And remember, 50% of people have these gene variations, but most don't even know it. Since bioavailable B vitamins have no downside for individuals who don't have a variant, it's always a good idea to make sure the B's you're taking are bioactive and ready to go (just in case).

B vitamins are crucial for cognitive health and mental well-being. Thanks to their important role in methylation, these essential vitamins affect everything from glucose regulation2 and neurotransmitter synthesis to sleep health3, mood support, and brain cell function4.* 

Bioactive B vitamins are so important for supporting the methylation cycle, cognitive function, and mental well-being—especially for folks with MTHFR gene variations.*