Product Reviews

B Vitamin Supplements Review (B Complexes, B6, B12, Biotin, Folate, Niacin, Riboflavin & More)

Posted: 2/18/17 Last Update: 5/18/19

Find the Best B Complex and B Vitamin Supplements

Tests Reveal Best and Worst B Vitamin Supplements and Why Current Labels Often Mislead

B vitamin supplements compared in this review :

365 Folic Acid	Natrol Biotin	Shaklee® B-Complex
Bluebonnet EarthSweet Chewables Methylcobalamin	Natural Factors B12	Slo-Niacin
Country Life Vitamin B 12	Natural Factors Vitamin B3	Solgar Sublingual Vitamin B12
CVS Health B12	Nature's Bounty B-12 1000 mcg	Source Naturals B-6
CVS Health Niacin	Nature's Bounty B-12 Quick Dissolve	Spring Valley [Walmart] B-12 - Natural Cherry Flavor
Doctor's Best Benfotiamine	Nature's Bounty Niacin	Spring Valley [Walmart] Folic Acid
Douglas Laboratories Methyl Folate	Nature's Bounty Quick Dissolve B-12 - Natural Cherry Flavor	Spring Valley [Walmart] Niacin
Dr. David Williams ZemBright Mood Plus	Nature's Life Biotin	Sundown Naturals Folic Acid
Finest Nutrition [Walgreens] Folic Acid	Nature's Way Vitamin B2	Swanson Super Stress B-Complex with Vitamin C
Finest Nutrition [Walgreens] Niacin	NOW Niacinamide	Swanson Ultra Vitamin B-12
GNC B-Complex	NutriCology Pantethine	Terry Naturally P-5-P/Mag
GNC Vitamin B-12	PipingRock.com Vitamin B-2	The Vitamin Shoppe B-1 Thiamin
Jarrow Formulas Methyl Folate	Pure Encapsulations B12 Liquid q full dropper	Thorne Research Basic B Complex
KAL Pantothenic Acid	Puritan's Pride Folic Acid 800 mcg	Vitacost Biotin
Kirkland Signature [Costco] Signature B-Complex	Puritan's Pride Niacin	Vitafusion B Complex
Klaire Labs Vitamin B6	Puritan's Pride Sublingual B-12 Microlozenges 500 mcg	Vitamin World Folic Acid
Life Extension Vitamin B3 Niacin	Rexall B-12	Vitamin World Sublingual B-12
MegaFood® Balanced B Complex	Rite Aid Pharmacy Folic Acid	Wonder Laboratories Folic Acid
Member's Mark® [Sam's Club] Niacin

Bluebonnet EarthSweet Chewables Methylcobalamin

Kirkland Signature [Costco] Signature B-Complex

Pure Encapsulations B12 Liquid q full dropper

Spring Valley [Walmart] B-12 - Natural Cherry Flavor

Swanson Super Stress B-Complex with Vitamin C

Make sure the B-complex or B vitamin supplement you take passed our test and is right for you!
Isn't your health worth it?

B vitamins are popular supplements as they play an essential role in energy production and the proper functioning of the body — including memory. While most people get enough B vitamins from their food, some don't get enough including those who are older, take medicine that lowers stomach acid, are pregnant, or have certain genetic mutations.

So which are the best B-complexes and single B vitamins?

ConsumerLab.com's tests of 50 B-complex and single B vitamin supplements showed that 3 products contained much more of one or more B vitamins than listed. In fact, it was discovered that taking a popular B-complex would cause you to unexpectedly get 50% more than the tolerable upper intake level of folate. Furthermore, the science regarding daily vitamin requirements has changed, but the FDA has given companies until 2018 or later to update their labels. As a result, you may be getting a lot more of certain B-vitamins than you need.

You must be a member to get the full test results along with ConsumerLab.com recommendations and quality ratings. You will get results for 32 B vitamin and B-complex supplements selected by ConsumerLab.com and 18 others which passed testing in its voluntary Quality Certification Program. Also listed are five products similar to ones that passed testing but are sold under different brand names.

In this comprehensive review, you'll discover:

Which B vitamin supplements failed testing and which passed
Cost comparisons and quality ratings of B vitamin supplements
Information on what B vitamin supplements can and cannot do for you -- some may reduce memory decline!
Important differences among forms of B vitamins, such as those of niacin (nicotinic acid, niacinamide, and inositol hexanicotinate), folate (natural folate, folic acid, and L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate), and B-12 (methylcobalamin and cyanocobalamin), as well as how oral B-12 compares to B-12 injections.
Use and dosage information for thiamin, niacin, vitamin B-6, B-12, biotin, folate (folic acid), and pantothenic acid.
How amounts of B vitamins in supplements compare to the amounts you actually need - the results may surprise you!
What you need to know about new intake guidelines — and why you shouldn't rely on Daily Values (DVs) listed on labels
Side effects and potential drug interactions with B vitamins
Safety concerns with B vitamins, and how to use them safely

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Learn More About Vitamin B Supplements

ConsumerLab.com Answers -- for B Vitamin Supplements Review (B Complexes, B6, B12, Biotin, Folate, Niacin, Riboflavin & More)

Question:
Being over 50 years old, I'm looking to take a vitamin B-12 supplement. I see that many contain a form of vitamin B-12 called cyanocobalamin, yet I read on the Internet that this form is toxic. Should I be concerned? Get the answer >>

Question:
What is Lipo-flavonoid and does it work for tinnitus or other ear problems? Get the answer >>

Question:
Which supplements are important after bariatric surgery (i.e., weight loss or stomach-reducing surgery)? Are there any I should avoid? Get the answer >>

Question:
Are enteric coated supplements better than non-enteric coated ones? Get the answer >>

Question:
I take fluoxetine (Prozac), a SSRI drug to treat depression. Are there supplements I should avoid, or be taking, due to this drug? Get the answer >>

Question:
Do any supplements really help with brain function, like memory and cognition? Get the answer >>

Question:
What is benfotiamine and can it really improve or prevent complications from diabetes? Get the answer >>

Question:
The maker of my multivitamin says it doesn't include folic acid because too much from supplements can be harmful. Is that true? Get the answer >>

Question:
Do any supplements help with migraines? Get the answer >>

Question:
Can taking too much vitamin B-6 be dangerous? The label on my multivitamin states it contains 2000% of the Daily Value! Get the answer >>

Question:
Can taking too much vitamin B-12 be dangerous? The label on my B-complex states it contains 50,000% of the Daily Value! Get the answer >>

Question:
Which supplements help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer? Get the answer >>

Question:
Do any supplements help relieve stress? Get the answer >>

Question:
Do any supplements help with nerve pain, like sciatica or diabetic neuropathy? Get the answer >>

Question:
I have been having neurological symptoms, and a blood test showed I have toxic levels of vitamin B-6. My multivitamin contains 75 mg of B-6, but this is below the upper limit of 100 mg per day. Could my vitamin contain more than it lists? Get the answer >>

Question:
I thought the B vitamins were all water soluble and did not build up in the body, so you would not build up toxic levels. Am I wrong? Get the answer >>

Question:
Do any supplements help for tinnitus? Is it true that some supplements can cause tinnitus? Get the answer >>

Question:
Does nicotinamide riboside (as in Niagen and Basis) really have anti-aging or other health benefits? Get the answer >>

Question:
Do any supplements help prevent or improve cataracts? Get the answer >>

Question:
Is sublingual vitamin B-12 really better than the pill form? Get the answer >>

Question:
I take estrogen replacement (Vagifem), to help relieve the symptoms of menopause. Are there supplements I should avoid, or be taking, due to this drug? Get the answer >>

Question:
Is P-5-P really better than "regular" vitamin B6? Get the answer >>

Question:
Which supplements can help to lower blood pressure? Get the answer >>

Question:
Do any supplements improve balance or reduce the risk of falls? Get the answer >>

Question:
Are lozenges and sublingual pills considered dietary supplements? Get the answer >>

Question:
I was told I have a MTHFR gene mutation. What do I need to know about taking B vitamins? Get the answer >>

Question:
I read on your website that some B-12 vitamins can cause diarrhea due to added sugar substitutes like sorbitol. I have had diarrhea and never thought it could be caused by my vitamin B-12 supplement, until I read your article and stopped taking the supplement. My diarrhea stopped immediately. Can you help me find a brand of B-12 that doesn't contain sorbitol or sugar substitutes that could cause this problem? Get the answer >>

Question:
Which supplements can help with indigestion and/or heartburn? Get the answer >>

Question:
Does Alpha Brain really improve memory, focus and cognition? Get the answer >>

Question:
Are there any supplements I should avoid when taking acetaminophen? Get the answer >>

Question:
Do vitamin B12 patches, like those from PatchMD, really work? Get the answer >>

Question:
What are the most common, potentially dangerous interactions between supplements and drugs? Get the answer >>

Question:
My HDL (good) cholesterol level is low. Should I take niacin to raise my HDLs? Get the answer >>

Question:
I've been taking a Daily Advantage multi but am now concerned by the very high % DV for vitamin C (833% DV), niacin (325% DV), and B vitamins (over 1,000% DV for several). The company tells me this formula is based on clinical experience and the scientific literature. What do you think? Get the answer >>

Question:
Can prenatal vitamins have too much folic acid? Mine has 800 mcg, but isn't that more than what's recommended? Is this dangerous to me or my baby? Get the answer >>

Question:
What is Brain Bright and can it really improve memory or cognition? Get the answer >>

Question:
Are the "% DV" numbers on vitamin supplement labels really based on what I need? Get the answer >>

Question:
Are there any supplements I should avoid when taking an antibiotic? Are there any that may be helpful? Get the answer >>

Question:
Which supplements help with Raynaud's phenomenon? Get the answer >>

Question:
I've heard that having low B-12 or B-6 can cause depression. Is that true? Get the answer >>

Question:
Can lysine or vitamin B-12 help prevent or reduce canker sores? Get the answer >>

Question:
Which supplements help to improve energy and decrease fatigue? Get the answer >>

Question:
Which supplements reduce the risk of stroke? Which increase the risk of stroke? Get the answer >>

Question:
Do biotin supplements really improve hair and nails? Get the answer >>

Question:
Which supplements can cause diarrhea? Get the answer >>

Question:
Do any supplements help for restless legs syndrome? Get the answer >>

Question:
Do Sugar Bear Hair Vitamins make hair shine, nails stronger, and help both to grow? They taste good but are super expensive. Get the answer >>

Question:
What are the symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency? Get the answer >>

Question:
I read that aging lowers the body's capacity to produce vitamin D. Even regular sun exposure will not suffice and one may have to take a vitamin D3 supplement during old age to meet our body's regular requirements. Please comment on this. Get the answer >>

Question:
Which supplements help with depression and anxiety? Get the answer >>

Question:
Is there cause for concern with "gummy vitamins?" There are many different gummies out there. Are some better than others? Get the answer >>

Question:
Are liquid vitamins better than pills? Get the answer >>

Question:
Do any supplements help prevent or reduce eye floaters? Get the answer >>

Question:
Does vitamin B12 improve memory? Get the answer >>

Question:
What are the symptoms of B12 deficiency? Get the answer >>

Question:
Do any supplements help reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)? Get the answer >>

Question:
Can vitamins or other supplements cause a change in the ability to taste, or even a loss of taste? Get the answer >>

Question:
I was surprised when my doctor told me to stop taking supplements because my kidney function was low. But after stopping the supplements, my kidney function returned to normal. Can taking a lot of supplements really damage the kidneys? Get the answer >>

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Find the Best B Complex and B Vitamin Supplements

Learn More About Vitamin B Supplements