The Importance Of B-Vitamins For The Immune System

The B vitamins are crucial for the conversion of food into energy and proper cell functioning (1) (2), so being low in any of the various B vitamins has the potential to cause issues with our immune system.

Many of the immune system benefits of B-vitamins are related to their effect on inflammation.

As we mention in our boron article, studies show those who have higher baseline levels of inflammation are at increased risk of infection (15) and are more likely to be hospitalized once they are infected (16). Aside from infection outcomes and immunity, chronic inflammation can lead to diseases such as “allergies, atherosclerosis, cancer, neurodegenerative or autoimmune diseases” (17).

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) deficiency is known to cause inadequate antibody responses and inflammation which can be a symptom of an ineffective immune system (2).

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) can decrease inflammation and improve the ability of certain white blood cells (macrophages) to “eat and destroy” bacteria and viruses (2).

Vitamin B3 (niacin) has anti-inflammatory effect and increases antioxidant enzymes which as we have mentioned in previous articles is important for the immune system (1).

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) has also shown an anti-inflammatory effect and an ability to increase antioxidant enzymes. Somewhat unrelated but still interesting is that it also improves mental health (1).

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). Higher levels of this vitamin have been associated with lower levels of inflammation (1). This vitamin is usually low in the types of populations more vulnerable to COVID-19 (3). Vitamin B6 gets used up faster during inflammation such as during infection. Supplementing B6 has been shown to normalise blood clotting when blood clotting was abnormal (4) (5) (6). It is thought that it may help normalise the excessive blood clotting which proves fatal in COVID-19 (7). It has even been shown to have some direct antibacterial actions (2).

Vitamins B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folate) and B12 (methylcobalamin) are all important for the production of an antioxidant in our body called glutathione (8). Glutathione has been theorised to be the underlying cause of worsened COVID-19 outcomes, with a small amount of patient data supporting this (9). All factors increasing COVID-19 mortality also worsen one’s glutathione levels. Glutathione has been shown to improve responsiveness to viral infections, exert some direct antiviral effects, reduce frequency of flu, protect the lungs from damage and avoid abnormal blood clotting. In fact, it has even been shown to improve vitamin D levels and reduce inflammation (9). Other B-vitamins are also thought to play understated roles in glutathione production (8).

For more information about vitamin B9 and why we supplement it differently, see our article on what we do differently regarding folic acid.

Vitamin B12 is known to help regulate one’s gut bacteria. Imbalanced gut bacteria is thought by some researchers to explain why some people are at increased risk of poor COVID-19 outcomes (this was also mentioned in our iron article) (10). Other researchers believe vitamin B12 has the potential to reduce organ damage and improve outcomes in COVID-19 (11). B12 helps with producing melatonin (11) , which studies have shown would probably improve COVID-19 outcomes (12).

The above research is why we have decided to put every B-vitamin into the ThinkPharm Formula. Vitamin B12 was the only B-vitamin that has been added in amounts significantly higher than the RDA/NRV; We have put 10micrograms instead of 2.5micrograms (the RDA/NRV). This is due to several reasons:

1) It has been shown to be exceptionally safe which is why there is no upper limit set by the Institute of Medicine (13).

2) Doses for treating deficiency in medicine are usually at least 50 micrograms (14). So 10 micrograms is even lower than the amount commonly used in safe practice within medicine.

3) It is possible to achieve 10 micrograms through one’s diet. Suggesting it is not an excessively high amount. We don't think it's a good idea to take more than what could be naturally present in a person's diet long-term.

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For more information about how taking the ThinkPharm Formula would improve your life check out our other articles about how it was designed.

For a vitamin supplement that doesn’t profit from your misinformation and actually tries to improve your health, get your hands on the ThinkPharm Formula. Check out the formula on our product page.

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Disclaimer: Food supplements are intended to correct nutritional deficiencies, maintain an adequate intake of certain nutrients, or to support specific physiological functions. The ThinkPharm Formula (or any other food supplement) is not a medicine and therefore cannot and does not claim to treat or prevent disease. All content on this website is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. None of the scientific studies quoted on this website qualify as proof or implication that ThinkPharm Health's supplements treat or prevent disease. Findings of scientific studies do not always represent reality. It is always difficult for scientific studies to reach accurate conclusions regarding nutrition and its relationship to diseases. Please consult your healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet and lifestyle. ThinkPharm Health is not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting on information from this website.