B-b-b-b-b-b vitamins are your happy friends! 

The 8 separate B vitamins are essential to core functions in the body like converting food into energy and maintaining the brain and nervous system.

The food sources of your Bs include: nuts, legumes, many vegetables, meat, poultry, and dairy products.

The superstar B: everyone knows about B9, aka folic acid or folate, because it’s common practice for doctors to recommend taking a B9 supplement to pregnant women and women trying to get pregnant to prevent birth defects like spina bifida.

The elusive B: B12 is only found in animal products and since more and more research comes out all the time that eating mostly or even entirely plant based foods is a healthier diet option, vegetarians and vegans must take a daily supplement.

Deficiency can result in: anemia and serious neurological problems.

Interesting facts: your stomach absorbs less B12 from food as you age, so if you’re over 50, supplementation is just smart no matter what and aspirin and some heartburn medications (proton-pump inhibitors) may leave B12 low.

We recommend: Shaklee’s “B-Complex” because B vitamins work their best when together (and it can be hard to get in all those leafy greens in your diet everyday too).

Remember: since a deficiency in B6 can be linked to depression and it helps with conditions like PMS, it’s so important for women to make sure they get all their Bs!

Brought to you by RLEI for National Nutrition Month