Who would have thought a rattlesnake killing three of my egg-laying chickens would have adversely affected MY health so much???!!
This past summer, I was shocked to find my three remaining egg-laying chickens dead in the larger fenced yard out back. They were fine two hours earlier when I let them out to roam, and I came back to put them back in their coop for the night and all three were lying on the ground dead! No signs of injury, and they had plenty of water, food and shade. The only clues we had as to what happened was the rapid death of all three, markedly abnormal dark purplish skin discoloration (a sign of snake venom poisoning), and the dead chickens were lying close to my firewood pile (a shade haven for rattlesnakes in the very hot Arizona sun), and we knew rattlesnakes eat chicken eggs and go after chickens as prey.
When I began raising chickens in 2022, I had so many fresh eggs I would normally eat 4 or even 5 fresh eggs a day over my three meals, since eggs are one of the healthiest and nutrition dense foods available – and a rich source of quality protein, healthy fat, choline, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein and B vitamins—all major supporters of energy and brain health. The B vitamins are also essential support for energy metabolism, nerve health and red blood cell formation.
Just to be clear. Even eating all those eggs every day, my cholesterol never went up, I have a very healthy lipid profile (cholesterol 140-150) taking no medication except my thyroid and estradiol (which naturally lowers total cholesterol, lowers LDL and increases HDL). The “narrative” that “eggs increase cholesterol” and we shouldn’t eat them was a lie that actually damaged our health by urging people to avoid such a healthy food source of critical nutrients. It also happened to serve the Pharma profit agenda of pushing people to take statins to lower cholesterol.
When my egg-laying chickens were killed, I simply did without eating eggs every day. I loved the taste of the fresh eggs from my chickens, and didn’t like the taste of store-bought eggs. My own chickens didn’t have any antibiotics or growth hormones, and I fed my chickens with organic feed, dried mealworms, vegetables, organic greens, watermelon and berries. I also didn’t feel like eating much meat in the extremely hot summer months, which is another good source of all the B vitamins.
Gradually over the summer and early fall, I began feeling more tired, not as “sharp” in focus, and felt like my mojo was dragging, and I had more nerve tingling in my hands. I just thought it was the extreme and prolonged heat wave we had in southern AZ this past summer. Although I was still taking our Multivitamin with B vitamins and iron, I didn’t really think about the major loss of choline, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein and all the B vitamins because I no longer had my eggs every day, or much meat either.
About six weeks ago, I had an Aha! Moment. I realized I may need to add a B COMPLEX supplement since I wasn’t eating as many eggs. I started taking our TruB Full Spectrum, Complete Methylated B Complex in addition to the basic B complex found in my multivitamin. After about two weeks, I was surprised to see that I could really tell a difference in how I felt. I wasn’t as “draggy” tired, back closer to my usual energy, and had more “get up and go” ( I call it “mojo”). I felt my mental acuity was sharper, back to normal in focus and concentration. I have to admit I was surprised to find that the simple addition of the Methylated B Complex made such a difference so quickly when I thought I had a pretty healthy regimen already – minus my daily intake of my great healthy chicken eggs that obviously had been more of a loss than I realized.
I routinely check B vitamins levels on my patients, as indicated, and have generally recommended a B complex, usually as part of a quality multivitamin every day. I also often prescribe a single B vitamin addition (B12, B1, etc.) if a patient has the MTHFR mutation or a specific deficiency. I have noticed since COVID and the COVID shots rolled out, I am seeing more vitamin deficiencies in my patients that I think are related to the inflammatory GI tract damage from the spike protein and lipid nanoparticle coatings on the mRNA vaccines. As a result, my thoughts and approaches on vitamin supplementation have been evolving and I am recommending additional supplements. I always try out any new product before I recommend it to my patients or put it in my charitable foundation’s store. As I was digging into the best B Complex supplements to recommend out of thousands of products out there, I found the methylated B Complex, TruB™ Full Spectrum, that I added to our store this fall. With my own experience and what I am seeing in my patients who have added a premium B complex, I am confident that most people will benefit from a full spectrum methylated B complex over basic B complex supplements and supplementation of single B vitamins in isolation. In this health tip I explain the benefits to help you decide if adding our Methylated TruB™ Full Spectrum might be right for you too.
The 8 Essential B Vitamins
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): helps convert carbohydrates into energy; supports nerve, muscle, and heart function. Signs of deficiency include fatigue, weakness, nerve tingling, nervous system disturbances, and cardiovascular issues. Good sources of thiamine include eggs, whole grains, pork, legumes, nuts, seeds, fortified breads.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): aids energy metabolism and red blood cell production; helps maintain healthy eyes and skin. Signs of deficiency include cracks at mouth corners, sore throat, mouth sores, skin cracks, inflammation. Good food sources include eggs, milk, yogurt, almonds, mushrooms, leafy greens, and liver (beef, bison, venison, lamb especially).
Vitamin B3 (Niacin, nicotinic acid or nicotinamide): supports digestive system, skin, nerves, and is involved in energy transfer reactions. Signs of deficiency include skin rashes/dermatitis (inflamed, scaly skin), diarrhea, neurological symptoms (nerve tingling and paresthesia, memory loss/cognitive decline and even dementia, diminished mental acuity and focus), and digestive issues. Good sources include poultry, fish (tuna, salmon), peanuts, mushrooms, brown rice, whole grains.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid): essential for synthesizing coenzyme A for energy metabolism; supports hormone and cholesterol production. Signs of deficiency include fatigue, irritability and neurological symptoms such as nerve tingling, diminished memory and focus. Good sources of pantothenic acid include chicken, beef, potatoes, oats, whole grains, yogurt, avocados.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): involved in amino acid metabolism, red blood cell formation, and neurotransmitter synthesis. Signs of deficiency include depression, confusion, anemia, nervous system symptoms (loss of mental acuity, diminished memory, nerve tingling), skin rashes. Good sources of pyridoxine include chickpeas, fish, bananas, potatoes, poultry, and fortified cereals.
Vitamin B7 (Biotin): supports metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, important for hair, skin, and nail health. Signs of deficiency include hair thinning, brittle nails, skin rashes, and rarely neurological symptoms. Good sources include eggs, nuts, seeds, salmon, sweet potatoes, and spinach.
Vitamin B9 (Folate/folic acid): needed for DNA synthesis and red blood cell formation, critical during pregnancy for fetal development. Deficiency can cause sore tongue, fatigue, and mouth ulcers, macrocytic anemia and neural tube defects in pregnancy. Good sources of folate include leafy greens (spinach, kale), citrus fruits, asparagus, beans, lentils, and fortified cereals.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin): helps form red blood cells, maintains nerve cells, and aids in DNA synthesis. Signs of deficiency include macrocytic anemia, nerve numbness, weakness, memory loss, neurological issues, and fatigue. Meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, fortified cereals, and nutritional yeast (for vegans) are good sources of cobalamin.
For most people a balanced, methylated full spectrum B Complex is the best overall supplement. Taking a single B vitamin is not the best course of action for most people. I find taking a B-complex supplement is generally more beneficial than taking isolated B vitamins because the eight B vitamins work synergistically in the body. Taking B vitamins together as a B complex optimizes interconnected pathways and avoids imbalances that can occur by improper dosing of isolated B vitamins that depend on others for full activity.
For certain patients with MTHFR mutations, or a specific deficiency, taking a single vitamin B supplementation may be needed after a careful medical evaluation. Examples include:
- B12 for pernicious anemia, people with MTHFR mutations, those eating a vegan diet, and elderly individuals who do not absorb B vitamins as well.
- B9 (folate) supplementation during pregnancy
- B6 for specific neuropathies or PMS, but avoid excess B6 as it can cause the same peripheral neuropathy that a deficiency will cause, due to oversaturation and dysfunction of the enzyme systems depending on B6.
Prevention of Functional Deficiencies
- B vitamins share absorption and metabolism pathways; taking one in high doses can deplete others. For example, excess niacin can reduce B1 and B6 availability, and high-dose folic acid can mask a B12 deficiency. A balanced B-complex prevents these competitive interactions and ensures proportional intake.]
- Studies show that people benefit more from the coordinated functions of a moderate-dose B-complex (as found in our NEW TruB™ Full Spectrum) because a moderate dose formula better replicates the natural combination found in whole foods. In other words, avoid high dose B complex supplements.
The Synergy of B-Complex Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12
The B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12) act as coenzymes that participate together in enzymatic pathways converting carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy (ATP):
- B1 (thiamine) initiates carbohydrate metabolism
- B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin) facilitate electron transfer in oxidative phosphorylation
- B5 (pantothenic acid) contributes to coenzyme A synthesis
- B6, B9, and B12 regulate homocysteine metabolism, protecting against cardiovascular and neurological disease
Enhanced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects
Combined B vitamins exhibit synergistic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Clinical trials show that B-complex supplementation reduces oxidative stress markers (like peroxides) and homocysteine levels better than individual B vitamins alone, supporting vascular and cognitive protection.
Mood and nervous system support
Deficiencies in several B vitamins, most commonly B6, B9, and B12, are associated with depression, anxiety, fatigue, and poor memory/focus and concentration. A balanced B-complex helps maintain neurotransmitter synthesis (serotonin, dopamine, GABA) that regulates mood, attention, pain, and sleep and also supports myelin formation, which protects nerves.
In contrast, supplementing a single B vitamin may not correct overlapping deficiencies contributing to neurological symptoms.
B Vitamin Supplementation: Crucial As We Age
As I said earlier in this health tip, I personally take a methylated B complex with my multivitamin and other supplements. I can tell a big difference in how much better I feel compared to when I was only getting my B vitamins from my multivitamin. In addition to my not eating eggs daily for my rich source of B vitamins, there are other reasons many of us may need additional vitamin B supplementation, especially B12, as we get older.
- Decreased absorption. As we get older our stomach acid production declines as does intrinsic factor secretion. Both of these are necessary for efficient vitamin B12 absorption from food.
- Increase in medication use (Rx and OTC) that reduces stomach acid, such as antacids, proton pump inhibitors and ulcer medications, can further impair absorption.
- Altered metabolism as we age also reduces the efficiency of B vitamin utilization
- Diminished appetite and less varied dietary intake in most older individuals leads to reduced nutrient intake
- Thyroid dysfunction and ovarian hormone decline/imbalance. Thyroid disorders are far more common in women than in men, and increase with age in both women and men. Both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid interfere with gut function and absorption of critical nutrients, though via different mechanisms. Loss of estradiol in perimenopause and menopause especially sets women up for 1) reduced gut motility, 2) reduced gastric acid production that is needed for B vitamin (and other nutrient) absorption, 3) reduced vascular flow to the gut to absorb and deliver nutrients to tissues, 4) hormone-mediated adverse changes in gut permeability and integrity of the endothelial lining and glycocalyx formation. These hormone problems skyrocket in people who have gotten COVID shots –the more shots/boosters, the greater the damage.
- COVID injections inflammatory and vascular damage to the gut lining from ongoing production of spike proteins and the lipid nanoparticle (LNP) toxicity. Spike protein and LNP decrease absorption of nutrients and increase GERD (“acid reflux”), which leads to increased use of proton inhibitors further decrease in absorption. I am seeing more patients deficient in B vitamins, especially people who had COVID injections. The more COVID shots and boosters people get, the greater the damage to the gut and other body organs. I am really concerned that they need more than just a multivitamin.
What Are Methylated B Vitamin Formulations and Why Are They Needed?
Methylated vitamins are nutrients that are already in their active, bioavailable form, which helps the body absorb and use them directly without needing to convert them. In contrast, non-methylated vitamins (like folic acid and cyanocobalamin) require enzymatic conversion before becoming active. The enzymatic pathways can be inefficient or impaired in some individuals, especially people with the genetic variation methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutation. MTHFR mutations (more below on types) cause reduced enzyme activity that impairs the body’s ability to convert folic acid and other B vitamins into their active forms like methylfolate (methylated B9) and methylcobalamin (methylated B12) that are needed for methylation, resulting in increased homocysteine and impaired methylation.
Keep in mind: Methyl groups are crucial for supporting the body’s methylation processes, a fundamental biochemical reaction vital for DNA repair, neurotransmitter synthesis, detoxification, and energy metabolism. Methylated vitamins—especially folate, B6 (as Pyridoxal-5-phosphate) and B12—bypass this enzymatic step, ensuring better absorption and utilization that in turn supports the methylation cycle effectively and helps prevent associated health risks like cardiovascular issues, neurological problems, and poor detoxification.
Biochemically, methylated vitamins differ from regular vitamins by having a methyl group (CH3) already attached to their molecular structure. This methyl group makes these vitamins active and bioavailable. In contrast, regular vitamins, such as folic acid (vitamin B9) and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), lack this methyl group and are considered inactive or synthetic forms.
Summary of Benefits of Methylated Vitamins:
- They are the biochemically active forms of vitamins and provide immediate availability for methylation processes in the body, which is critical to support DNA synthesis, detoxification, neurotransmitter production, and energy metabolism.
- Better absorption and bioavailability lead to improved mental clarity, mood, cognitive function, and cellular energy levels by supporting optimal availability and function.
- Help maintain cardiovascular health by reducing homocysteine levels, which occurs with poor methylation processes.
- Support detoxification pathways to eliminate toxins like heavy metals.
- Critically important for individuals with MTHFR gene mutations or other genetic variations affecting vitamin metabolism.
What Are MTHFR Genetic Variations – Brief Summary:
Several genetic variants affect B vitamin methylation efficiency by interfering with enzymes involved in the methylation cycle and one-carbon metabolism. Variants in genes involved in one-carbon metabolism and methylation pathways also affect how efficient B vitamins act to support methylation processes in the body.
Individuals with the following gene mutations will not benefit from non-methylated B vitamins found in the majority of commercial products:
- MTHFR (Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) – Variants like C677T and A1298C reduce the activity of the MTHFR enzyme responsible for converting folic acid to methylfolate, limiting availability of active B9 for methylation. These variants can also indirectly affect vitamin B12 utilization by disrupting homocysteine re-methylation.
- MTR (Methionine synthase) – The A2756G variant affects the B12-dependent enzyme critical for converting homocysteine to methionine, impairing methylation and contributing to elevated homocysteine. This enzyme requires methylated B12 and methylfolate to function.
- CBS (Cystathionine beta-synthase) – Variants here affect the trans-sulphuration pathway, which interacts with the re-methylation cycle by regulating homocysteine levels. CBS gene variants influence B6 related methylation efficiency.
- HIF3A methylation-related variants (e.g., rs3826795) – Influence DNA methylation patterns modulated by intake of vitamins B2, B12, and folate, affecting gene expression and metabolic outcomes.
The MTHFR variants that most significantly reduce methylation efficiency are C677T (rs1801133) followed by A1298C (rs1801131) and Compound Heterozygous (C677T + A1298C). The C677T mutation most drastically reduces methylation efficiency, especially in homozygous form, followed by A1298C. Compound heterozygous individuals also face major problems with methylation function.
MTHFR variants are among the most common functional gene polymorphisms in humans, affecting roughly 40–60% of the population, which is far more common than most people—and most doctors—realize. Most doctors rarely ever test for these mutations, in spite of how common they are. There is significant variation among different ethnic groups, so even mild health implications can become severe when there are 1) combined genetic mutations present and 2) in the presence of nutritional deficiencies.
Tying It All Together – My Recommendation:
Bottom line: TruB™ Full Spectrum Complete Methylated B Complex contains the entire spectrum of B vitamins to fully support our overall body and brain functions, which is the reason I take TruB™ Full Spectrum and wanted it in the Truth For Health Foundation store for my patients and our supporters. I encourage you to consider adding our TruB™ Full Spectrum Complete Methylated B Complex to your supplement regimen. Now let’s look at the reasons this is becoming more important for all of us as we age! |
