Vitamins included in the B-complex cluster has been getting the limelight in recent years because of the increasing cases of neuropathy. Despite this, many people are still unaware of the importance of having enough of these vitamins to achieve a healthy nervous system. What Are B-Vitamins? Like other kinds of vitamins, Vitamin B-Complex is essential for a person's overall health. In fact, eight out of 13 vitamins a person needs to become healthy are included in the so-called B-group vitamins. This includes Vitamin B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B7 (biotin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folate), and B-12 (cyanocobalamin). But contrary to popular belief, these vitamins don't actually give the body an energy boost. Rather, it ensures that the body is able to use the fuel people get from consuming carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Vitamin B1 is known to be beneficial for this particular task as it is considered as the one responsible for ensuring that glucose from carbohydrates is turned into energy. On the other hand, the body requires Vitamin B6 to successfully metabolize protein and carbohydrates while Vitamin B-12 is needed for breaking down fatty acids and amino acids during the energy production process. B-Vitamins and Nerve Health Aside from aiding in breaking metabolism and better energy conversion, B-Vitamins have another function that is more popular among neuropathy patients: keeping the nerves healthy. All members of the B-Vitamins group have an essential part to play in maintaining a healthy nervous system. Vitamin B-12, for example, is needed to keep myelin— the protective layer that covers the nerve cells— healthy. It is also needed when the body is producing new strands of your DNA as well as red blood cells. Sadly, this B-vitamin isn't readily available in the human body which is why medical practitioners recommend intake of either cyanocobalamin-rich animal-based food or supplements. Some of the known foods that naturally contain this vitamin are dairy products, fish, meat, eggs, and poultry while others have been fortified with it. Deficiency of any of these B-vitamins may lead to a wide range of ailments, so it is important to know the specific dosage needed for each member of the B-complex class. B-12 deficiency, for example, has been linked to atrophic gastritis, pernicious anemia, and immune system disorders. Since it is considered as one of the key vitamins needed for a healthy nervous system, lack of B-vitamins often causes conditions like depression, behavioral changes, and memory loss as well as neuropathic symptoms like muscle weakness, tingling or numbness, and difficulty walking. Neuropathy Supplements That Has B-Vitamins While any regular human being may take supplements containing B-Vitamins, not everyone has the same required amount. In fact, average recommended amounts vary depending on a person's age group, eating habits, medical conditions, and the medications being taken with it. With that in mind, people suffering from nerve damage and other conditions related to lack of B-complex vitamins tend to have higher doses of these supplements, depending on what brand he or she is prescribed with. Here are several supplements for neuropathy that have been known to be most effective in alleviating symptoms of the condition. Aside from having the essential B-Complex in its ingredients, good neuropathy supplements should also have the following qualities: Ingredients should be clinically-proven effective in helping in the treatment of neuropathy. The manufacturer must use high-quality ingredients which have been tested to be pure. The supplement should be easily absorbed by the body as measured by its bioavailability. This means the ingredients used should be chosen carefully and should not only be based on its most common form (e.g. use benfotiamine instead of thiamin; methylcobalamin instead of cyanocobalamine). The supplement should be packed in right dosages to avoid unwanted side-effects. Image courtesy of Ben Schonewille at FreeDigitalPhotos.net