By Dr. Linda J. Dobberstein, DC, Board Certified in Clinical Nutrition
B vitamins are essential for stress, energy, and adrenal health, however did you know they are also required for blood sugar regulation, kidney protection, and much more? A chronic deficiency in one or more B vitamins can compromise metabolic function in ways that might not be immediately obvious.
While each B vitamin has specific functions, all of them are needed to meet your body’s metabolic needs and maintain healthy kidney function. Here’s how B vitamins can support your health and help you age well!
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)
Vitamin B1 is critical for energy production, especially carbohydrate metabolism. The typical high-carb American diet increases the need for thiamin, even when foods are fortified with junk B vitamins. Without optimal thiamin, carbohydrates place additional stress on blood vessels, especially the smaller capillaries and the endothelial lining of larger vessels. This is particularly true for the kidneys, which contain an extensive capillary network and clusters of tiny blood vessels called glomeruli that filter toxins and waste 24/7.
Over time, the ongoing stress from high blood sugar and poor diet cause inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress in these capillaries. This results in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which essentially caramelize or stiffen the blood vessels. In the kidneys, this process impairs their ability to filter toxins, leading to a buildup of lactic acid and increased fatigue. A marginal lack of thiamin worsens the impact of excess blood sugar and AGEs on kidney function.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B2 supports antioxidant activity and helps the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids. Animal studies show riboflavin protects kidney structures even when under stress from high blood sugar. During times of stress, riboflavin helps manage free radicals and oxidative stress, particularly within the kidney by quenching free radicals and inhibits lipid peroxidation. Riboflavin also supports glutathione, the master antioxidant, which is essential for detoxification in the kidneys and liver. Optimizing riboflavin intake supports kidney health by helping to manage protein, urea, and creatinine levels.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B3 is metabolized into NAD and other co-enzyme forms of niacin. NAD is essential for mitochondrial energy production, especially in high energy demanding organs like the kidneys. Niacin is also used for cholesterol/lipid metabolism and cardiovascular health, which further supports capillary function within the kidneys.
Vitamin B5 (Pantethine)
Vitamin B5 is a precursor to coenzyme CoA, which is crucial for energy production. Pantethine and CoA help with the burning of fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids, but follow different pathways than other B vitamins. Pantethine supports blood sugar, mitochondrial, and cholesterol metabolism.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Vitamin B6 is used throughout the body for neurotransmitter function, lipid metabolism, and facilitating many blood sugar functions. It is also required for homocysteine metabolism, which affects vascular health. Studies show that optimal vitamin B6 levels help manage healthy homocysteine and protect the endothelial linings of blood vessels from oxidative stress in the kidneys. Capillaries and glomeruli are then shielded against advanced glycation end-product (AGE) formation thereby protecting kidney filtration function.
Vitamin B6 is also necessary to metabolize oxalic acid. Insufficient vitamin B6 contributes to the buildup of oxalate crystals in the kidneys and blood stream. This is important information for those who need support for excess oxalate concerns.
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
Vitamin B7 supports blood sugar regulation, mitochondrial function, and energy production. By supporting pancreatic function and blood sugar metabolism, biotin promotes glucose tolerance in the kidneys and other tissues. Biotin also supports the kidney’s processing of urea and other metabolic proteins, while providing antioxidant support in the kidney glomeruli.
Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)
Vitamin B12 is required for hundreds of different metabolic functions. Many people struggle with obtaining and absorbing vitamin B12, which can affect blood sugar regulation, mitochondrial function, homocysteine management, tissue oxygenation, and much more.
Folate
Folate is essential for glucose tolerance and insulin synthesis, playing a significant role in kidney and pancreas health.
Folate, along with vitamins B6 and B12, is required for the normal metabolism of homocysteine. Elevated homocysteine levels can cause scarring of glomerular cells, making it harder for the kidneys to filter blood. This also triggers a negative cycle of proinflammatory compounds and insulin resistance.
Medications that Deplete B Vitamins
Several medications deplete one or more of the B vitamins. Check with your pharmacist for more information. These include:
• Antibiotics such as aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, cycloserine, doxorubicin, fluoroquinolones, isoniazid, penicillins, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, trimethorprim
• anticholinergics
• anti-seizure/anti-convulsants such as phenothiazines, phenytoin
• bile acid sequestrants
• chemotherapy drugs
• uric acid drugs: colchicine, probenecid,
• ethionamed
• histamine-2 antagonists
• loop diuretics/water pills
• methotrexate
• metformin
• proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole
• theophylline
• tricyclic antidepressants
Summary
Deficiencies in one or more B vitamins can disrupt glucose tolerance, insulin and homocysteine management, AGE formation, and antioxidant protection. The blood vessels and capillaries within the kidneys’ filtration units become highly stressed and scarred, triggering additional cellular stress responses. This makes it harder for your kidneys to naturally filter out waste products and toxins.
Your body uses B vitamins daily across many systems. Stress rapidly depletes B vitamins, while poor gut health, impaired absorption, and gut dysbiosis further impair nutrient uptake. Numerous medications also deplete B vitamins and restrictive diets further compound this issue. These factors, and more, lead to an increased need for B vitamins.
Over time, diminished nutrient reserves and lack of a nutritional buffer lead to changes in your metabolism and kidney function. Ensuring optimal B vitamin support is essential for healthy kidney function, effective blood sugar and insulin management, balanced homocysteine, healthy aging, and overall vitality.
Optimize Your Nutritional Status
To help you optimize your nutritional status, we offer the Super Coenzyme B Complex, Daily Energy Multiple Vitamin, Daily Prenatal Multiple Vitamin, and Super Mini Multi. These products offer a full spectrum of all B vitamins in their most biologically active forms and in clinically relevant amounts.
We also offer products with individual B vitamins to support various metabolic needs. These specialty supplements include Activator Plus, Lipid Helper, Muscle Mag, Pantethine, Stress Helper, B12 + Folate, and Blood Booster. Give us a call for assistance with your product selection and personalized support. We’re here to help you!
