The document provides an overview of B vitamins (B6, B12, and folic acid) and their crucial roles in energy metabolism, nervous system health, and red blood cell formation, along with sources and potential deficiencies. It highlights the importance of these vitamins for pregnant women and their connections to homocysteine levels and various health issues. Additionally, it introduces Optifer® B, a new supplement that combines heme iron with B vitamins to support blood formation.

1. B-vitamins and iron
Sources: Mayo Clinic, Wikipedia, Webmd, Healthline

2. Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) helps the body turn food into energy. It
can also help the body fight infections. Pregnant and
breastfeeding women need it to help their babies’ brains
develop normally.
B6 can be found in fish, poultry, liver, potatoes, and non-citrus
fruit.
Insufficient amounts of B6 can result in anemia as well as skin
disorders, such as a rash or cracks around the mouth. A lack of
B6 also can cause depression, confusion, or a susceptibility to
infections.

3. Vitamin B6
c
Vitamin B6 supplements are effective for preventing and treating
deficiency and nerve inflammation caused by low intake, certain
diseases, or some drugs.
Vitamin B6 is also called pyridoxine. It is involved in the process
of making serotonin and norepinephrine, which are chemicals
that transmit signals in the brain.
Vitamin B6 is also involved in the formation of myelin, a protein
layer that forms around nerve cells

4. Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 deficiency in adults may cause health problems
affecting the nerves, skin, mucous membranes, and circulatory
system.
In children, the central nervous system is also affected.
High blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine may be a risk
factor for heart disease.
Taking vitamin B6 supplements with other B vitamins (folic acid
and vitamin B12) has been shown to be effective for lowering
homocysteine levels.

5. Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 helps regulate the nervous system.
It also plays a role in growth and red blood cell formation, for the
heart, the hair, metabolism of the cells and the formation of
proteins and DNA as well as the production of signal substances
such as dopamin and serotonin.

6. Vitamin B12
Vitamin B 12 is found primarily in meat and dairy products, so
strict vegetarians are at risk for a deficiency.
Vitamin B 12 deficiencies can lead to anemia and confusion in
elderly people.
People with B 12 deficiencies often report tingling in their feet
and hands.

7. Vitamin B12
c
B 12 deficiency is written about in many medical textbooks and
its causes and effects are well-established in the scientific
literature.
B 12 deficiency is often missed for two reasons. First, it’s not
routinely tested by most physicians. Second, the low end of the
laboratory reference range is too low.

8. Vitamin B12
c
Vitamin B 12 works together with folate in the synthesis of DNA
and red blood cells. It’s also involved in the production of the
myelin sheath around the nerves, and the conduction of nerve
impulses.
B 12 is the only vitamin that contains a trace element (cobalt),
which is why it’s called cobalamin. Cobalamin is produced in the
gut of animals.
It’s the only vitamin we can’t obtain from plants or sunlight.
Plants don’t need B12 so they don’t store it.

9. Vitamin B12
c
A common myth amongst vegetarians and vegans is that it’s
possible to get B 12 from plant sources like seaweed, fermented
soy, spirulina and brewers yeast.
But plant foods said to contain B 12 actually contain B 12 analogs
called cobamides that block intake of and increase the need for
true B 12.

10. Vitamin B9/Folic acid
c
Vitamin B 9 fosters the growth of red blood cells like most B-
vitamins and it also reduces the risk of birth defects.
Folic acid can be found in many foods, from meats to grains to
citrus fruits. Without enough Folic acid, a person can develop
diarrhea or anemia.
Pregnant women with a Folic acid deficiency could give birth to
babies with defects.

11. Vitamin B9/Folic acid
c
Folate deficiency may cause megaloblastic anemia, a blood
disorder in which there are very large red blood cells. If the
cause is folate deficiency, then treatment with folate is the
standard approach.
Consuming a high level of folate and taking folic acid
supplements by mouth during pregnancy helps reduce the risk of
birth defects in the infant.
Folic acid supplements are effective for increasing folate levels in
blood and decreasing symptoms associated with low folate
levels. Folic acid supplementation, with and without other B
vitamins, reduce levels of homocysteine in blood (a
cardiovascular risk factor).

12. OptiFer® B
OptiFer® B is a new tablet containing extremely
well-tolerated and efficient heme iron
It also contains vitamins B 6,
B 12 and folic acid.
OptiFer® B is designed
especially to help blood
formation when needed
in different situations.

13. MediTec Group AB FerroCare Division, Gothenburg, Sweden
W: www.meditec.se E: info@meditec.se Office: +46 31 3608892
www.optifer.international www.hemeiron.com