Bluebonnet Nutrition's Earth Sweet Vitamin B-12 & Folic Acid is formulated in a natural base of raspberry, strawberry and fructose. Earths Sweet is a proprietary, all-natural, antioxidant sweetening mix of juice concentrates (wild blueberry, cranberry, prune, cherry, strawberry, raspberry and bilberry fruits, grape seed and raspberry seed), dried unrefined cane juice and crystalline fructose to not only provide a delicious natural flavor but to help preserve and stabilize ingredients in the formula. Vitamins Vitamins differ from macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins and fats by virtue of the amount required. Typically, minuscule amounts are needed in comparison. Plus, vitamins are not used as an energy source. Instead, they are critical for the normal functioning, growth, repair and maintenance of cells and tissues and are required in individual units rather than long chains of smaller units. However, like carbohydrates, proteins and fats, vitamins are organic compounds, meaning that they are carbon-containing and are essential to one's overall well-being. In fact, a deficiency of just one vitamin can have a profound effect on the body and health. B Vitamins The scientists who first discovered vitamin B believed that it was a single compound; however, with the advances in technology, it was soon discovered that it was a family of eight water-soluble compounds. Today, with the exception of B6 and B12, B vitamins are referred to by their names: thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), biotin and folate.