Joe's Longevity Stack

Biotin works with some other B vitamins, such as folic acid, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), and vitamin B12. However, no solid evidence indicates that people supplementing with biotin also need to take these other vitamins. Symptoms of pantothenic acid or zinc deficiency have been reported to be lessened with biotin, though people with these deficiencies should supplement with the nutrients in which they are deficient.

There is one report of a 76-year-old woman who developed a life-threatening condition (eosinophilic pleuropericardial effusion) while taking 10 mg of biotin per day and 300 mg of pantothenic acid per day. However, it is not clear whether the vitamins caused the problem.

Boron may conserve the body’s use of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D. In one study, the ability of boron to reduce urinary loss of calcium disappeared when subjects were also given magnesium. Therefore, boron may provide no special benefit in maintaining bone mass in the presence of adequate amounts of dietary magnesium.

Vitamin B1 (thiamine) and magnesium work together in several different biochemical processes in the body. In patients who are deficient in both thiamine and magnesium, symptoms of thiamine deficiency may not respond to thiamine supplementation unless magnesium deficiency is also corrected. In addition, administration of large doses of thiamine can worsen magnesium deficiency. Magnesium supplementation should therefore be considered by people who are supplementing with thiamine.

There is some evidence that magnesium may enhance calcium absorption.

Vitamin B6 increases the amount of magnesium that can enter cells. As a result, these two nutrients are often taken together.

Vitamin D’s most important role is maintaining blood levels of calcium. Therefore, many doctors recommend that those supplementing with calcium also supplement with 400–1,200 IU of vitamin D per day.

Ingesting plant sterols interferes with beta-carotene and vitamin E absorption, resulting in lower blood levels of these nutrients.

Studies in animals and humans suggest that supplementation with large amounts of either vitamin C or vitamin E increases the requirement for the other nutrient.

Some evidence suggests that adding vitamin E to fish oil may prevent fish oil-induced increase in blood sugar levels.

Zinc competes for absorption with calcium. A multimineral supplement will help prevent mineral imbalances.