Can vitamin B cause acne? | Exercise.com Learn: Your Fitness Business Resource

Can vitamin B cause acne?

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life. He has been featured in Shape, Healthline, HuffPost, Women's...

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UPDATED: Aug 25, 2020

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  • In specific rare cases, vitamin B can cause acne for its supplement users.
  • Users who have been documented using vitamins B6 and B12 have been noted to have acne breakouts after using the supplement.
  •  Females are at a higher risk of breaking out in acne with vitamin B intake.

In specific rare cases, vitamin B can cause acne for its supplement users.

There are many different varieties of vitamin B that may cause this acne to occur. Users who have been documented using vitamins B6 and B12 have been noted to have acne breakouts after using the supplement.

Though on rare occasions males were affected by this, females are at a higher risk for breaking out in acne with vitamin B intake.

Acne Vulgaris, the condition that is caused by the intake of vitamin B, shows acne breakouts mainly on the forehead and the chin of the patient, and in other cases, may even extend to the back or chest area as well.

After the treatments of B6 and B12 vitamins have stopped, the acne increase will slowly diminish over time.

Though there is a direct correlation with the intake of vitamin B and an outbreak of acne, there may be other causes of the acne outbreaks as well. If a user of vitamin B is taking other prescriptions, they may be experiencing a specific reaction to the combination.

Also, if the user is on a poor diet while consuming the vitamin B supplement, they will also have worse side effects of vitamin B treatment.

Supplementation aside, no healthy lifestyle is complete without movement. Go PRO today for access to workout plans, certified personal trainers, goal trackers, and more.

Why Does Vitamin B Affect the Skin?

According to the National Institutes of Health, when users consume a supplement containing B6 and B12 vitamins, the skin has a reaction that makes small papules appear. Though the users may believe that the vitamins are directly the cause of the skin issues, it is actually the body’s reaction to the vitamin that causes these papules to appear.

When a person’s skin becomes oily, it is due to the body overproducing sebum. Sebum is produced by the pores in the skin. If there is additional oil added to the skin by excess activity or exercise, bacteria and dirt may get mixed in with the sweat in the pores, creating a pimple. As bacteria multiply under the skin and on the surface, numerous blemishes may form and double on the skin.

The direct reason for the correlation between the intake of B6 and B12 vitamins to cause acne is actually unknown. However, researchers are led to believe that the vitamins may produce a negative reaction with the follicular epithelium of the body. This, in turn, causes an inflammation of the skin with bacteria involved. The follicular epithelium is the skin tissue within the body.

Why Is Vitamin B Good for the Body?

According to WebMD, vitamin B is a necessity in the body in order to create a healthy nervous system. Vitamin B also facilitates a healthy, optimally functioning immune system.

Vitamin B also contributes to the production of blood cells in the body. If the body is not taking in enough vitamin B, it can lead to blood anemia, which leads to low iron, potassium and sometimes, sodium.

Vegetarians and vegans, due to the fact that they don’t consume meat, are at a greater risk for a vitamin B deficiency. These are the types of people for whom vitamin B supplements or injections are typically recommended by their doctor or health care professional.

If a doctor recommends a vitamin B test in order to test for anemia or the amount of vitamin B in a patient’s system, they may also recommend supplementation of vitamin B.  A vitamin B test can also test for dementia.

People who have a family history of anemia or stomach intestinal issues may want to ask their medical practitioners to test their levels of vitamin B.

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What Are the Natural Sources of Vitamin B?

Natural sources of vitamin B are found in specific animal-sourced foods, which include meat, shellfish, dairy products, and eggs. Fortified cereals and nuts are also a sufficient source of vitamin B as well.

If a person has lactose intolerance or gluten allergy, a doctor may recommend that they take vitamin B supplements in order to replace their lack of vitamin intake from natural sources.

From the ages of 14 and on, a person should consume at least 2.4 micrograms per day of vitamin B. A person who regularly has a balanced diet of dairy and meat will more than likely get their daily intake with no problem.

However, as a person gets older and their medical problems begin to increase, their intake of natural vitamins should be boosted depending on their age and health status.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

– Do I have to take supplements?

Unless your doctor has instructed you to take certain supplements, you do not have to take them.

– Are supplements safe?

Whether or not dietary supplements are safe to take depends on a number of factors. Learn more about the safety of supplements here.

  What supplements do I need to take?

No one can answer that aside from your doctor. To learn more about the various supplements that doctors commonly recommend, check out this article.

Supplements aside, don’t forget to incorporate a regular exercise regimen into your daily routine. Check out our PRO Plan to see how we can help you stay active, motivated, and focused every day!

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