main active form of vitamin B5 in the body (coenzyme A) is also used in acetylcholine synthesis (a neurotransmitter) and fatty acid synthesis may account for its ability to support the nervous system and be helpful in treating skin diseases (42). Vitamin B5 supplementation has been shown to be helpful to enhance immune system function (43).
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine hydrochloride)
FORM - Two different forms of B6 are used in the AMC formula. Pyridoxine hydrochloride and pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP). Although pyridoxine is the form of B6 found in most foods, PLP is the biologically active form. It may be that some people cannot readily form PLP and therefore it is added in to ensure that AMC is providing everyone a complete vitamin B6 supplement.
FUNCTIONS - Although B6 acts as a cofactor, it is not involved in energy metabolism, but it is mainly found to be needed for amino acid metabolism (44). In this way pyridoxine can have an effect on nervous system and mental function because so many of the brains neurotransmitters are amino acid type of compounds (45). Appropriate intakes of B6 are essential for the degradation of estrogens and proper function of estrogen receptors (46). B6 and magnesium are routinely supplemented together for conditions such as PMS and other high estrogen associated female problems (47). Pregnancy and women taking birth control pills appear to have an especially high requirement for this vitamin (48). Pyridoxine has also been found to be necessary to maintain normal calcium and magnesium balance (49). Vitamin B6 supplementation is well-known for its benefits in treating carpal tunnel syndrome and other neurological problems such as seizures and depression (50, 51, 52, 53). Numerous authors have found that high levels of blood homocysteine (a type of amino acid) is an independent risk factor for heart disease (54, 55). B6 supplementation is known to be able to decrease blood homocysteine levels (56).
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
FUNCTIONS - Vitamin B12 is a known cofactor in only two reactions. One metabolic reaction is part of an energy producing pathway and the other reaction involves the breakdown of homocysteine (57). The first action of B12 along with the fact that it is relatively easy to end up with subclinical deficiencies of this vitamin (vegetarians are especially suseptible) may account for why giving B12 shots often leads to improved energy (58). The clinical manifestations of B12 deficiency are neuropathies (59). More subtle deficiences of this vitamin have been associated with diminished mental functioning in the elderly (60 ). The second reaction (homocysteine breakdown)also requires adequate levels of folic acid. If either folic acid or B12 are deficient a macrocytic anemia can develop (61). As noted under vitamin B6, high blood homocysteine levels are a risk factor for heart disease and can be effectively decreased by a combination of B12, folic acid, and B6 supplementation (62).
Biotin
FUNCTIONS - Biotin is considered a B vitamin and functions as a cofactor infatty acid synthesis and blood glucose (sugar) control(63). The first biochemical function may account for the symptoms of biotin deficiency; alopecia, skin rash, hypotonia, ataxia, and hearing loss (64). The second function may explain why biotin is often used in formulas which can improve blood glucose control in diabetics (65). Biotin deficiency symptoms include depression, lassitude, sleepiness, anxiety with muscle pain and hyperesthesia (66).
Folic acid
FUNCTIONS - Folic acid is needed for the body to activate B12 and B12 is needed to activate folic acid (67). Folic acid acts as a cofactor in the production of both DNA and RNA (68). This means that folic acid is needed for normal cell growth and normal cell differentiation. One of the earliest signs of folic acid deficiency are abnormal red blood cells with subsequent anemia. Rapidly dividing cells such as epithelia cells (skin and tissue lining cells) have a high requirement for folic acid therefore it is no surprise that during a rapid growth period like fetal development adequate folic acid intakes are crucially important (69). In fact a folic acid supplement is now recommended during pregnancy as a well established way to decrease the possibility of neural tube defects (70). Low intakes of fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables and high intakes of refined foods means that many Americans are ingesting low amounts of folic acid.
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)
FORM - A relatively high amount of vitamin C (relative to the RDA) is part of AMC because of the hundreds of reports of the health benefits of greater than 1000mg of vitamin C (71). Vitamin C is so important for so many systems in the body that two forms of vitamin C are used in AMC; calcium ascorbate and ascorbyl palmitate. Together these two forms ensure a high bioavailability of vitamin C.
FUNCTIONS - As an important anti-oxidant compound, vitamin C can help protect from free radical damage and help ensure that other vitamins (like A, E, some B's) are not destroyed (72). Vitamin C, in larger doses (more than 1000mg daily) can have beneficial effects on the immune system (73). Vitamin C supplementation may be helpful in treating both infections and cancer (74). The work of Dr. Linus Pauling suggests that infections may be decreased by 35% and cancers by 75% (75). Acting as a cofactor in a variety of reactions vitamin C is needed for the proper formation of collagen (therefore healthy connective tissue), the excretion of cholesterol from the body, the proper digestion of fat, and the production of a variety of hormones including epinephrine (adrenaline) and cortisol (76, 77, 78, 79). In fact the adrenal glands (the producers of epinephrine and cortisol) are the glands with the highest content of vitamin C. This suggests an extremely important role of vitamin C in dealing with life's stressors. Besides all of the numerous functions of vitamin C noted above this vitamin is required for the production of a number of neurotransmitters and can enhance iron absorption from the diet (80). A number of modern day stressors can reduce body vitamin C levels. These include a high stress lifestyle, smoking, environmental pollutants, some antibiotics and pain medications. Even the newest RDAs recommend higher intakes of vitamin C for smokers (81).
Vitamin E
FORM - d-Alpha tocopheryl succinate is the form of vitamin E used in AMC. Although vitamin E succinate is more costly than the typical oil forms used by most nutritional supplement companies, it does not cause adverse reactions such as nausea, diarrhea, or flatulence, like the oil form can cause.
FUNCTIONS - Vitamin E's only known function in the body is as a fat soluble antioxidant. Because our cell membranes are made up of a phospholipid (i.e. a type of fat) bilayer, cell damage can readily occur by free radical damage to membrane lipids. Vitamin E is extremely important to help protect cells (cell membranes) from undergoing oxidative damage (82). The fact that vitamin E can help prevent cell damage may account for its ability to help protect from the ravaging effects of numerous chronic degenerative diseases (83). In fact vitamin E
