There are eight B vitamins in POW!DER. That sounds like a lot — and it is. But the reason there are so many is that the body uses them across almost everything it does: turning food into energy, supporting the nervous system, reducing tiredness, forming red blood cells, and helping with cell division.
For children who are growing, learning, and moving all day long, that's a lot of ground to cover.
We use active forms where they're available — meaning the body can put them to work without having to convert them first.
That's a deliberate choice, and one most parents would never see on a label. But it's the kind of detail that matters when something is taken every day.
Thiamine (B1)
Thiamine helps the body convert food into energy and contributes to normal heart function. It's found in whole grains, sunflower seeds and meat — but not always in the quantities growing children need consistently.
Riboflavin (B2, as riboflavin-5-phosphate)
Riboflavin helps protect cells from oxidative stress and supports iron metabolism — how the body makes use of the iron it takes in. It also contributes to reducing tiredness and fatigue, and supports how the nervous system functions.
We use riboflavin-5-phosphate, which is the active form — ready to be used as it is.
Niacin (B3, as nicotinamide)
Niacin plays a role in how the body releases energy from food and supports normal nervous system function.
It also contributes to reducing tiredness and fatigue — the kind of everyday support that matters across a long school day.
Pantothenic acid (B5)
Pantothenic acid contributes to normal mental performance and supports how the body metabolises food into energy.
It's one of the less talked-about B vitamins, but it's involved in more than most people realise — a bit like the member of the team who never gets the credit but always turns up.
Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxal-5-phosphate / P5P)
B6 supports over 100 enzyme reactions in the body — which for one vitamin is a serious workload.
It contributes to normal energy metabolism, immune function, and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. We use pyridoxal-5-phosphate, the active form, because it means the body doesn't have to do the extra work of converting it first.
Biotin (B7)
Biotin helps the body break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins so they can be converted into usable energy.
It also supports normal nervous system function and contributes to normal psychological function. Found naturally in liver, nuts and sunflower seeds — but not always in the amounts children get through food alone.
Folate (B9, as calcium L-methylfolate)
Folate supports cell division — which during the years when children are growing and developing, is happening constantly.
It also contributes to normal immune function and helps reduce tiredness and fatigue.
We use calcium L-methylfolate, the active form, which the body can use directly without conversion.
Vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin)
B12 contributes to normal red blood cell formation — the cells that carry oxygen around the body.
It supports normal psychological function and plays a role in how the nervous system works. It's found almost exclusively in animal foods, which is why it's particularly important for children following plant-based diets.
We use methylcobalamin, the active form, for the same reason as our other B vitamins — it's ready to be used without the body having to convert it first.
