{
  "dataset": "b-complex-cost-by-brand",
  "title": "Vitamin B-Complex Supplements Compared — active vs cheap forms and B6 dose vs the Upper Limit",
  "sourcePage": "https://verifiedsupplementdata.com/b-complex/best-overall/",
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licenseUrl": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "attribution": "Verified Supplement Data (2026), B-Complex Cost & Form Comparison",
  "dateModified": "2026-07-17",
  "methodology": "Two axes. FORM: \"verdict\" methylated (active forms — 5-MTHF folate, methylcobalamin, P5P) vs cheap (folic acid, cyanocobalamin, pyridoxine). The folate PK difference is real — 5-MTHF gives ~2.3x the plasma exposure of folic acid with no unmetabolized folic acid (Obeid 2020 PMID 33255787; Wright 2010 PMID 19852872) — but methylcobalamin/P5P clinical superiority is NOT established (biochemistry only, no clinical PMID). DOSE: b6Mg = B6 mg per serving; atOrAboveUL flags \"B-50/B-100\"-style products at/above the 100 mg B6 Upper Limit tied to sensory neuropathy (Schaumburg 1983 PMID 6308447). EVIDENCE CONTEXT (structure/function only; benefits mainly correct deficiency): B/folate lowering of homocysteine does NOT reduce cardiovascular events (Cochrane, Marti-Carvajal 2017 PMID 28816346; HOPE-2, Lonn 2006 PMID 16531613 — with an unstable-angina signal; VISP, Toole 2004 PMID 14762035); \"energy\" is not boosted in people who are not deficient; stress/mood effects are small and mixed (Kennedy 2010 PMID 20454891; Camfield 2013 PMID 24284609 null). This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA; these products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.",
  "headline": {
    "productsCompared": 11,
    "b6UlMg": 100,
    "methylated": 5,
    "cheap": 6,
    "methylatedSaneDose": 3,
    "atOrAboveUL": 2,
    "cheapestMethylatedBrand": "Jarrow Formulas",
    "note": "Only 5 of 11 use the active/methylated forms (5-MTHF, methylcobalamin, P5P). And 2 push B6 to 100 mg — at the upper limit tied to nerve damage — for benefits the trials do not support outside deficiency."
  },
  "columns": [
    "brand",
    "product",
    "slug",
    "form",
    "verdict",
    "b6Mg",
    "atOrAboveUL",
    "servings",
    "price",
    "costPerServing",
    "thirdParty"
  ],
  "units": {
    "b6Mg": "mg vitamin B6",
    "price": "USD",
    "costPerServing": "USD/serving"
  },
  "citations": [
    {
      "claim": "Homocysteine-lowering B vitamins did NOT reduce MI or mortality (Cochrane meta-analysis).",
      "source": "Marti-Carvajal AJ, et al. 2017, Cochrane Database Syst Rev",
      "pmid": "28816346"
    },
    {
      "claim": "HOPE-2: lowered homocysteine, no CV composite benefit; unstable-angina signal RR 1.24.",
      "source": "Lonn E, et al. 2006, N Engl J Med",
      "pmid": "16531613"
    },
    {
      "claim": "5-MTHF gives ~2.3x plasma folate of folic acid, with no unmetabolized folic acid.",
      "source": "Obeid R, et al. 2020, Nutrients",
      "pmid": "33255787"
    },
    {
      "claim": "Chronic high-dose B6 causes sensory neuropathy (basis for the 100 mg Upper Limit).",
      "source": "Schaumburg H, et al. 1983, N Engl J Med",
      "pmid": "6308447"
    }
  ],
  "products": [
    {
      "brand": "Thorne",
      "product": "Basic B Complex (60 Capsules)",
      "slug": "thorne-basic-b",
      "form": "P5P / methylcobalamin / L-5-MTHF",
      "b6Mg": 10,
      "atOrAboveUL": false,
      "servings": 60,
      "price": 27,
      "costPerServing": 0.45,
      "verdict": "methylated",
      "thirdParty": "NSF Certified"
    },
    {
      "brand": "Pure Encapsulations",
      "product": "B-Complex Plus (120 Capsules)",
      "slug": "pure-encap-b-complex-plus",
      "form": "P5P+pyridoxine / methylcobalamin / Metafolin",
      "b6Mg": 16.7,
      "atOrAboveUL": false,
      "servings": 120,
      "price": 42,
      "costPerServing": 0.35,
      "verdict": "methylated",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "Jarrow Formulas",
      "product": "B-Right (100 Veggie Caps)",
      "slug": "jarrow-b-right",
      "form": "P5P+pyridoxine / methylcobalamin / Quatrefolic",
      "b6Mg": 35,
      "atOrAboveUL": false,
      "servings": 100,
      "price": 19.99,
      "costPerServing": 0.2,
      "verdict": "methylated",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "Country Life",
      "product": "Coenzyme B-Complex (120 Capsules)",
      "slug": "country-life-coenzyme-b",
      "form": "coenzyme forms / methylcobalamin+dibencozide / L-5-MTHF",
      "b6Mg": 50,
      "atOrAboveUL": false,
      "servings": 60,
      "price": 26.24,
      "costPerServing": 0.44,
      "verdict": "methylated",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "Designs for Health",
      "product": "B-Supreme Methylated B Complex (120 Capsules)",
      "slug": "designs-for-health-b-supreme",
      "form": "P5P+pyridoxine / methylcobalamin / Quatrefolic",
      "b6Mg": 50,
      "atOrAboveUL": false,
      "servings": 120,
      "price": 52.99,
      "costPerServing": 0.44,
      "verdict": "methylated",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "Nature Made",
      "product": "Super B-Complex with Vitamin C (140 Tablets)",
      "slug": "nature-made-super-b",
      "form": "folic acid / cyanocobalamin / pyridoxine (USP)",
      "b6Mg": 2,
      "atOrAboveUL": false,
      "servings": 140,
      "price": 9.89,
      "costPerServing": 0.07,
      "verdict": "cheap",
      "thirdParty": "USP Verified"
    },
    {
      "brand": "Nature's Bounty",
      "product": "Super B-Complex with Vitamin C (150 Tablets)",
      "slug": "natures-bounty-super-b",
      "form": "folic acid / cyanocobalamin / pyridoxine",
      "b6Mg": 5,
      "atOrAboveUL": false,
      "servings": 150,
      "price": 11.99,
      "costPerServing": 0.08,
      "verdict": "cheap",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "NOW Foods",
      "product": "NOW Vitamin B-50 (100 Veg Capsules)",
      "slug": "now-b50",
      "form": "folic acid / cyanocobalamin / pyridoxine",
      "b6Mg": 50,
      "atOrAboveUL": false,
      "servings": 100,
      "price": 11.62,
      "costPerServing": 0.12,
      "verdict": "cheap",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "Solgar",
      "product": "B-Complex '50' (100 Veg Capsules)",
      "slug": "solgar-b50",
      "form": "folic acid / cyanocobalamin / pyridoxine",
      "b6Mg": 50,
      "atOrAboveUL": false,
      "servings": 100,
      "price": 11.96,
      "costPerServing": 0.12,
      "verdict": "cheap",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "NOW Foods",
      "product": "NOW Vitamin B-100 (100 Veg Capsules)",
      "slug": "now-b100",
      "form": "folic acid / cyanocobalamin / pyridoxine",
      "b6Mg": 100,
      "atOrAboveUL": true,
      "servings": 100,
      "price": 9.11,
      "costPerServing": 0.09,
      "verdict": "cheap",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "Solgar",
      "product": "B-Complex '100' (100 Veg Capsules)",
      "slug": "solgar-b100",
      "form": "folic acid / cyanocobalamin / pyridoxine",
      "b6Mg": 100,
      "atOrAboveUL": true,
      "servings": 100,
      "price": 18.92,
      "costPerServing": 0.19,
      "verdict": "cheap",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    }
  ]
}