Product Image

Methyl B-Complex 50

Solaray
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(1012 ratings)
Folate 400 mcg
Riboflavin 50 mg
Thiamin 50 mg
PABA 50 mg
Vitamin B6 50 mg
Niacin 50 mg
Vitamin B5 50 mg
Product Image
Score73
Transparent doses and multiple active forms distinguish this B complex, but high B6 and a higher serving cost limit its everyday value.
How scoring works
Quantity:60 VegCap(s) • (60 servings)
Goals:
Energy
General Health
Metabolism Boost

Score 73

Transparent doses and multiple active forms distinguish this B complex, but high B6 and a higher serving cost limit its everyday value.
How scoring works
$33.29($0.55 per serving)
iHerb
$ 33.29
Amazon
$ 33.29
Pure Formulas
$ 33.29
Vitacost
$ 33.29
Report prices

Analysis

Active forms of thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 strengthen the formula. The combination provides coherent support for energy metabolism and methylation without relying on a hidden blend.

Ingredient identities and amounts are clearly disclosed, making the active profile easy to evaluate. Choline and biotin are less compelling at their supplied amounts, so the formula remains centered on the main B vitamins.

The capsule suits users who value active forms and can justify a higher serving cost. Vitamin B6 remains high enough that total intake and duration matter, especially alongside fortified products.

Who is it for
  • Adults who prefer active B-vitamin forms
  • People seeking transparent B-complex dosing
Best for
  • Energy-metabolism support
  • Active folate and B12 coverage

Pros

  • Several bioactive vitamin forms
  • No hidden proprietary blend
  • Coherent full B-complex profile

Cons

  • Higher serving cost
  • Choline is modest
  • Biotin is not a focused amount

Warnings

  • The high vitamin B6 amount may cause nerve symptoms with prolonged daily use
  • Review total B6 intake before combining it with other supplements

Nutrient quality

79 High impact

Riboflavin phosphate, pyridoxal phosphate, methylfolate, methylcobalamin, cocarboxylase, and benfotiamine are well-regarded forms. The B vitamins and supporting nutrients are all supplied at substantial listed amounts.

.

Ingredient transparency

76 High impact

Amounts are listed, but multiple full-dose entries for thiamine, vitamin B6, and folate create uncertainty about totals. A complete inactive ingredient list was not supplied.

.

Customer satisfaction

70 High impact

The available aggregate rating is reasonably strong for this category. No firsthand outcome details were supplied, so alignment with the intended use is uncertain.

.

Value for money

65 Moderate impact

Advanced vitamin forms add quality, but ambiguous high totals reduce price justification. The product is less competitive on value despite its advanced forms.

.
Report analysis

Goals

Energy
Energy
Impact
Highest effect
A- Goal FitB+ Strength of SupportC CoverageA- Formula Quality
Vitamin B5 · 50 mgRiboflavin · 50 mgThiamin · 50 mgVitamin B12 · 50 mcg

The high-potency B-complex directly supports metabolic energy conversion, although vitamin B12 remains below the preferred threshold. B vitamins have established metabolic roles, and the formula does not depend on speculative energy botanicals.

Most B vitamins are supplied in high-potency amounts, but vitamin B12 is modest and vitamin B6 is high for routine long-term use. Active thiamine, riboflavin 5-phosphate, pyridoxal 5-phosphate, methylfolate, and methylcobalamin provide strong form quality.

Study evidence
Riboflavin Mixed 6 studies
Thiamin Disputed 12 studies
General Health
General Health
Impact
High effect
B+ Goal FitB Strength of SupportC+ CoverageA- Formula Quality
Folate · 400 mcgVitamin B12 · 50 mcg

A focused B-complex supports energy metabolism, methylation, and normal nervous-system function. Active methylfolate, methylcobalamin, riboflavin phosphate, and pyridoxal phosphate strengthen form quality.

The formula is narrower than a complete daily multivitamin and includes both active and conventional versions of several B vitamins. The high vitamin B6 amount may be unsuitable for prolonged daily use without a specific need.

Study evidence
Folate Supportive 80 studies
Metabolism Boost
Metabolism Boost
Impact
High effect
C- Goal FitB+ Strength of SupportC CoverageA- Formula Quality
Biotin · 300 mcgNiacin · 50 mgVitamin B12 · 50 mcgRiboflavin · 50 mgThiamin · 50 mgVitamin B5 · 50 mgVitamin B6 · 50 mg

Active forms of thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 support cellular energy pathways. The formula remains an energy-cofactor product rather than a direct thermogenic, thyroid, or glycemic intervention.

The high-potency amounts and metabolically ready forms provide strong depth within B-vitamin metabolism. Long-term use should account for vitamin B6 from other supplements because the amount is substantial.

Study evidence
Riboflavin Mixed 5 studies
Thiamin Supportive 11 studies
Vitamin B6 Supportive 16 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine Cocarboxylase, Thiamine Mononitrate)
 50 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin 5-Phosphate)
 50 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)
 50 mg
Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride)
 50 mg
Folic Acid (Quatrefolic (6S)-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate, Glucosamine Salt)
 400 mcg
Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)
 50 mcg
Biotin
300 mcg
Pantothenic Acid (Calcium Pantothenate)
 50 mg
Benfotiamine
50 mg
Choline Bitartrate
50 mg
PABA
50 mg
Inositol
50 mg
Adults 18–50
Report overview
Folate (Folic Acid, Quatrefolic (6S)-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate, Glucosamine Salt) · 400 mcg OverallScore92
A+ Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyB+ Value

Isomer-specific Quatrefolic supplies active methylfolate alongside folic acid, creating a less simple form profile. The amount falls within the preferred range, but the label omits a full DFE source breakdown. Vitamin B12 is included at a meaningful amount, while serving value is good.

View ingredientView products
Riboflavin (Riboflavin 5-Phosphate) · 50 mg OverallScore87
A+ Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyD+ Value

Riboflavin 5-phosphate provides B2 in a metabolically active form. The 50 mg serving provides a high-potency amount for metabolic support. The supplied data omit the full additive list, so clean-label status cannot be confirmed. The higher serving cost is partly justified by the form quality.

View ingredientView products
Thiamin (Thiamine Cocarboxylase, Thiamine Mononitrate) · 50 mg OverallScore84
A Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyD- Value

Benfotiamine adds a premium, tissue-penetrating form alongside mononitrate and thiamine cocarboxylase. The clearly disclosed dose reaches the high-potency range for targeted support. Cost per active amount remains high despite the stronger form profile.

View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
85 Performance

BioCoenzymated Active B Complex

Natural Factors
Benfotiamine, riboflavin 5-phosphate, P-5-P, methylfolate, and methylcobalamin give the formula stronger active forms across the B-complex. The 25 mg vitamin B6 amount is still potent but more balanced than many high-dose alternatives.
78 Performance

Active B-Complex

Integrative Therapeutics
Methylcobalamin, P-5-P, riboflavin 5-phosphate, and substantial choline and inositol provide broader nervous-system and energy support. The high vitamin B6 entries remain a long-term-use limitation.
81 Performance

Basic B Complex

Thorne
Active riboflavin, P-5-P, and methylcobalamin improve form quality while keeping vitamin B6 lower than many B-50 formulas. The unidentified folate and niacin forms make the substantial niacin amount and flushing potential less certain.
71 Budget

B 50 Complex

Thompson
Broad B-vitamin amounts provide a lower-cost route to the same energy-metabolism nutrients. Conventional forms, a hidden base blend, and sustained high vitamin B6 exposure are meaningful trade-offs.
74 Budget

B 50 Complex

Spring Valley
A low-cost B-complex covers the core vitamins at substantial listed amounts and offers stronger serving value. Chemical forms are not named, making absorption, niacin flushing, and long-term vitamin B6 safety harder to judge.
74 Budget

B-Complex '50'

Solgar
A very long supply provides broad B-vitamin coverage at favorable serving value. The formula relies on conventional forms, includes a tiny herbal blend, and uses a high vitamin B6 amount that is not ideal for prolonged daily use.
81 Value

Fully Active B Complex with Quatrefolic

Doctor's Best
Methylfolate, methylcobalamin, P-5-P, and riboflavin phosphate combine advanced forms with broad coverage and strong serving value. Overlapping entries make niacin and vitamin B6 totals unclear, so the apparent potency may be excessive for routine use.
75 Value

B-50 Complex 50 mg

Source Naturals
A complete B-complex provides broad metabolic coverage at very favorable serving value. Basic forms plus high pyridoxine and folic acid amounts reduce its appeal for long-term daily use.
77 Value

Vitamin B Complex

California Gold Nutrition
Active riboflavin, P-5-P, folate, and substantial pantothenic acid provide useful form quality at a practical serving cost. Duplicate niacin, vitamin B6, and biotin entries make the true totals unclear and may imply excessive vitamin B6 exposure.
Report alternatives

Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Effect of intravenous thiamine administration on critically ill patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
    Nakanishi N; Abe Y; Matsuo M; Tampo A; Yamada K; Hatakeyama J; Yoshida M; Yamamoto R; Higashibeppu N; Nakamura K; Kotani J · Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) · 2024
    Meta-analysis3,494 participants35 studies pooledMetabolism Boost forThiamin
  2. High-dose oral thiamine versus placebo for chronic fatigue in patients with primary biliary cholangitis: A crossover randomized clinical trial.
    Bager P; Bossen L; Gantzel R; Grønbæk H · PloS one · 2024
    Randomized trial36 participantsEnergy forThiamin
  3. Pyridoxine challenge reflects pediatric hypophosphatasia severity and thereby examines tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase's role in vitamin B6 metabolism.
    Whyte MP; Zhang F; Mack KE; Wenkert D; Gottesman GS; Ericson KL; Cole JT; Coburn SP · Bone · 2024
    Non-randomized trial149 participantsMetabolism Boost forVitamin B6
  4. Riboflavin and riboflavin-derived cofactors in adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa.
    Capo-chichi CD; Guéant JL; Lefebvre E; Bennani N; Lorentz E; Vidailhet C; Vidailhet M · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 1999
    Clinical trial34 participantsMetabolism Boost forRiboflavin
  5. Vitamin B status in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
    Heap LC; Peters TJ; Wessely S · Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine · 1999
    Case-control study30 participantsEnergy forRiboflavin Energy forThiamin
  6. Long-term maintenance treatment with 300 mg thiamine for fatigue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: results from an open-label extension of the TARIF study.
    Bager P; Hvas CL; Rud CL; Dahlerup JF · Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology · 2022
    Randomized trialEnergy forThiamin
  7. Vitamin B6 requirements of women using oral contraceptives.
    Leklem JE; Brown RR; Rose DP; Linkswiler HM · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 1975
    Non-randomized trial24 participantsMetabolism Boost forVitamin B6
  8. Baseline measurements of cellular respiration affect the response to thiamine treatment in post-arrest patients.
    Vine J; Lee JH; Simpson MD; Grossestreuer AV; Sorour K; Zubair MM; Moskowitz A; Berg KM; Liu X; Donnino MW · Resuscitation · 2026
    Randomized trial74 participantsMetabolism Boost forThiamin
  9. Physicochemical properties of and volatile compounds in riboflavin fortified cloudy apple juice; study of its effect on job fatigue among Egyptian construction workers.
    Fouad S; Ibrahim GE; Hussein AMS; Ibrahim FA; El Gendy A · Heliyon · 2021
    Non-randomized trialEnergy forRiboflavin
  10. Disorders of flavin adenine dinucleotide metabolism: MADD and related deficiencies.
    Mereis M; Wanders RJA; Schoonen M; Dercksen M; Smuts I; van der Westhuizen FH · The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology · 2024
    Systematic reviewMetabolism Boost forRiboflavin
  11. Metabolic failure due to thiamine deficiency during critical illness.
    Cobilinschi C; Andrei CA; Grinţescu IM; Mirea L · Current opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care · 2024
    Narrative reviewEnergy forThiamin
  12. Plasma vitamin B6 vitamers before and after oral vitamin B6 treatment: a randomized placebo-controlled study.
    Bor MV; Refsum H; Bisp MR; Bleie Ø; Schneede J; Nordrehaug JE; Ueland PM; Nygard OK; Nexø E · Clinical chemistry · 2003
    Randomized trial90 participantsMetabolism Boost forVitamin B6
  13. Plasma vitamin profiles and their associations with metabolic health and mental wellbeing in midlife Asian women.
    Tan KML; Tint MT; Cabral RM; Lau R; Kee MZL; Garg V; De Iorio M; Tan SSL; Eriksson JG · Scientific reports · 2026
    Cohort study662 participantsMetabolism Boost forThiamin
  14. Anaemia during pregnancy: could riboflavin deficiency be implicated?
    Duffy B; McNulty H; Ward M; Pentieva K · The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society · 2026
    Narrative reviewMetabolism Boost forRiboflavin
  15. B-vitamins, related vitamers, and metabolites in patients with quiescent inflammatory bowel disease and chronic fatigue treated with high dose oral thiamine.
    Bager P; Hvas CL; Hansen MM; Ueland P; Dahlerup JF · Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) · 2023
    Observational studyEnergy forRiboflavin
  16. Influence of thiamin supplementation on the health and general well-being of an elderly Irish population with marginal thiamin deficiency.
    Smidt LJ; Cremin FM; Grivetti LE; Clifford AJ · Journal of gerontology · 1991
    Randomized trial80 participantsEnergy forThiamin
  17. Associations of Vitamin B6 Intake and Plasma Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate with Plasma Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in US Older Adults: Findings from NHANES 2003-2004.
    Kim H; Enrione EB; Narayanan V; Li T; Campa A · Nutrients · 2022
    Cross-sectional study461 participantsMetabolism Boost forVitamin B6
  18. Neurological, Psychiatric, and Biochemical Aspects of Thiamine Deficiency in Children and Adults.
    Dhir S; Tarasenko M; Napoli E; Giulivi C · Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026
    Narrative reviewMetabolism Boost forThiamin
  19. Influence of oral contraceptives, pyridoxine (vitamin B6), and tryptophan on carbohydrate metabolism.
    Adams PW; Wynn V; Folkard J; Seed M · Lancet (London, England) · 1976
    Clinical trial46 participantsMetabolism Boost forVitamin B6
  20. Dietary reference values for thiamin.
    EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); Turck D; Bresson JL; Burlingame B; Dean T; Fairweather-Tait S; Heinonen M; Hirsch-Ernst KI; Mangelsdorf I; McArdle HJ; Naska A; Nowicka G; Pentieva K; Sanz Y; Siani A; Sjödin A; Stern M; Tomé D; Van Loveren H; Vinceti M; Willatts P; Lamberg-Allardt C; Przyrembel H; Tetens I; Gudelj Rakic J; Ioannidou S; de Sesmaisons-Lecarré A; Forss AC; Neuhäuser-Berthold M · EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority · 2026
    Guideline / consensusEnergy forThiamin
  21. High-resolution plasma metabolomics and thiamine status in critically Ill adult patients.
    Gundogan K; Nellis MM; Ozer NT; Ergul SS; Sahin GG; Temel S; Yuksel RC; Teeny S; Alvarez JA; Sungur M; Jones DP; Ziegler TR · Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society · 2024
    Cross-sectional study76 participantsMetabolism Boost forThiamin
  22. Effect of oral contraceptives and vitamin B6 deficiency on carbohydrate metabolism.
    Rose DP; Leklem JE; Brown RR; Linkswiler HM · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 1975
    Clinical trialMetabolism Boost forVitamin B6
  23. Randomised clinical trial: high-dose oral thiamine versus placebo for chronic fatigue in patients with quiescent inflammatory bowel disease.
    Bager P; Hvas CL; Rud CL; Dahlerup JF · Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics · 2021
    Randomized trial40 participantsEnergy forThiamin
  24. Pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment of beriberi after gastric surgery.
    Wilson RB · Nutrition reviews · 2021
    Narrative reviewMetabolism Boost forThiamin
  25. Effect of chronic levodopa treatment on pyridoxine metabolism.
    Mars H · Neurology · 1975
    Non-randomized trial16 participantsMetabolism Boost forVitamin B6
  26. PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENTS FOR FATIGUE IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE PATIENTS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW.
    Morais T; Couto G; Rocha R; Santana G · Arquivos de gastroenterologia · 2026
    Systematic reviewEnergy forThiamin
  27. Insights Into Thiamine Supplementation in Patients With Septic Shock.
    Costa NA; Pereira AG; Sugizaki CSA; Vieira NM; Garcia LR; de Paiva SAR; Zornoff LAM; Azevedo PS; Polegato BF; Minicucci MF · Frontiers in medicine · 2022
    Narrative reviewMetabolism Boost forThiamin
  28. Double-blind trial of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) in the treatment of steroid-dependent asthma.
    Sur S; Camara M; Buchmeier A; Morgan S; Nelson HS · Annals of allergy · 1993
    Randomized trial31 participantsMetabolism Boost forVitamin B6
  29. Thiamine-dependent processes and treatment strategies in neurodegeneration.
    Gibson GE; Blass JP · Antioxidants & redox signaling · 2007
    Narrative reviewMetabolism Boost forThiamin
  30. Thiamine deficiency-related brain dysfunction in chronic liver failure.
    Butterworth RF · Metabolic brain disease · 2009
    Narrative reviewEnergy forThiamin
  31. Oxalate metabolism in end-stage renal disease: the effect of ascorbic acid and pyridoxine.
    Morgan SH; Maher ER; Purkiss P; Watts RW; Curtis JR · Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association · 1988
    Single-arm trial10 participantsMetabolism Boost forVitamin B6
  32. Thiamine-responsive inborn errors of metabolism.
    Duran M; Wadman SK · Journal of inherited metabolic disease · 1985
    Narrative reviewMetabolism Boost forThiamin
  33. Vitamin B6 repletion in cirrhosis with oral pyridoxine: failure to improve amino acid metabolism.
    Henderson JM; Scott SS; Merrill AH; Hollins B; Kutner MH · Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) · 1989
    Single-arm trial8 participantsMetabolism Boost forVitamin B6
  34. Effects of thiamine supplementation on exercise-induced fatigue.
    Suzuki M; Itokawa Y · Metabolic brain disease · 1996
    Randomized trial16 participantsEnergy forThiamin
  35. Metabolic features of chronic fatigue syndrome.
    Naviaux RK; Naviaux JC; Li K; Bright AT; Alaynick WA; Wang L; Baxter A; Nathan N; Anderson W; Gordon E · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2024
    Case-control study84 participantsEnergy forRiboflavin
  36. Effectiveness of Riboflavin in Inherited Metabolic Diseases: A Systematic Review
    Bregje Jaeger, Nina N Stolwijk, Femke Aaldering, Charlotte A Ruys, Marije Smits, Nicole I Wolf, Carla E M Hollak, Annet M Bosch · Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease · 2026
    Systematic review381 studies pooledEnergy Metabolism Boost forRiboflavin
  37. Intakes of Folate, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12 in Relation to All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality: A National Population-Based Cohort.
    Bo Y; Xu H; Zhang H; Zhang J; Wan Z; Zhao X; Yu Z · Nutrients · 2022
    Cohort study55,569 participantsGeneral Health forFolate
  38. The responsiveness of plasma homocysteine to small increases in dietary folic acid: a primary care study.
    Schorah CJ; Devitt H; Lucock M; Dowell AC · European journal of clinical nutrition · 1998
    Randomized trial119 participantsGeneral Health forFolate
  39. Associations of Serum Folate and Homocysteine Concentrations with All-Cause, Cardiovascular Disease, and Cancer Mortality in Men and Women in Korea: the Cardiovascular Disease Association Study.
    Song S; Song BM; Park HY · The Journal of nutrition · 2023
    Cohort study21,260 participantsGeneral Health forFolate
  40. The concept of folic acid supplementation and its role in prevention of neural tube defect among pregnant women: PRISMA.
    Seyoum Tola F · Medicine · 2024
    Systematic reviewGeneral Health forFolate
  41. Systematic review of adverse health outcomes associated with high serum or red blood cell folate concentrations.
    Colapinto CK; O'Connor DL; Sampson M; Williams B; Tremblay MS · Journal of public health (Oxford, England) · 2017
    Systematic review71,847 participants46 studies pooledGeneral Health forFolate
  42. Effects of riboflavin and folic acid supplementation on plasma homocysteine levels in healthy subjects.
    Chuang CZ; Boyles A; Legardeur B; Su J; Japa S; Lopez-S A · The American journal of the medical sciences · 2006
    Non-randomized trial34 participantsMetabolism Boost forRiboflavin
  43. Red blood cell transketolase activity and the effect of thiamine supplementation in patients with chronic liver disease.
    Rossouw JE; Labadarios D; Krasner N; Davis M; Williams R · Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology · 1978
    Single-arm trialMetabolism Boost forThiamin
  44. Dietary one-carbon metabolism nutrients and risk of MASLD progression: a prospective cohort study.
    Shen L; Wang K; Li R; Li Y; Guo Y; Li F; Yuan J; Yang Z; Xia B; Lin X · European journal of clinical nutrition · 2026
    Cohort study46,800 participantsMetabolism Boost forVitamin B6