Vitamin B6

What Is It?

Technically an umbrella term used to describe three B vitamins (pyridoxine, pridoxal, pyridoxamine), vitamin B6 partakes in no fewer than 100 chemical reactions throughout the body. It functions primarily as a coenzyme, working along with other enzymes to speed up chemical reactions in cells.

Vitamin B6 helps manufacture the building blocks of proteins known as amino acids. It also takes part in producing brain neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) such as serotonin , in releasing energy stored in cells, and in manufacturing red blood cells. Vitamin B6 also helps to keep hormones in balance and the immune system functioning properly.

Incredibly, government surveys indicate that one-third of adults are deficient in this key nutrient. The elderly, pregnant or nursing women, oral contraceptive users, and smokers are particularly at risk for a deficiency.

Wholehealthmd.com

Click Here to go back to top

Health Benefits

Heart Disease

Taken as part of a vitamin B-complex supplement, vitamin B6 may help protect against heart disease and a host of other disorders. For example, in concert with folic acid and vitamin B12 , it aids the body in processing homocysteine , an amino acid like compound that, at elevated levels, increases the risk for heart disease and other vascular disorders.

Wholehealthmd.com

Even moderately elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood have been associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke. During protein digestion, amino acids, including methionine, are released. Homocysteine is an intermediate in the metabolism of methionine. Healthy individuals utilize two different pathways to metabolize homocysteine. One pathway converts homocysteine back to methionine and is dependent on folic acid and vitamin B12. The other pathway converts homocysteine to the amino acid cysteine and requires two vitamin B6 (PLP)-dependent enzymes. Thus, the amount of homocysteine in the blood is regulated by at least three vitamins: folic acid, vitamin B12 , and vitamin B6.

Several large observational studies have demonstrated an association between low vitamin B6 intake or status with increased blood homocysteine levels and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. A large prospective study found the risk of heart disease in women who consumed, on average, 4.6 mg of vitamin B 6 daily was only 67% of the risk in women who consumed an average of 1.1 mg daily .

Linus Pauling Institute

In a 14-year-long study published in Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) revealed that women with the highest intake of folic acid had 47 percent less coronary heart disease than those who consumed the lowest amount of folic acid. In addition, for every 200-microgram increase in folic acid intake, there was an 11 percent decrease in coronary heart disease risk.

The link between vitamin B6 and heart disease also was compelling. Women with the highest intake of vitamin B6 had a 51 percent lower incidence of coronary heart disease than those who consumed the lowest amount of vitamin B6 . For each 2 mg increase in B6 intake, there was a 10 percent decrease in coronary heart disease risk.

Life Extension

Immune function

Low vitamin B6 intake and nutritional status have been associated with impaired immune function, especially in the elderly. Decreased production of immune system cells known as lymphocytes, as well as decreased production of an important immune system protein called interleukin-2, have been reported in vitamin B6 deficient individuals . Restoration of vitamin B6 status has resulted in normalization of lymphocyte proliferation and interleukin-2 production, suggesting that adequate vitamin B6 intake is important for optimal immune system function in older individuals. However, one study found that the amount of vitamin B6 required to reverse these immune system impairments in the elderly was 2.9 mg/day for men and 1.9 mg/day for women; these vitamin B6 requirements are higher than the current RDA.

Linus Pauling Institute

Prevent diabetic nerve damage (neuropathy).

People with diabetes are at risk of developing nerve damage. Supplemental vitamin B6 may guard against this complication.

Ease carpal tunnel syndrome.

People who suffer from this painful wrist and hand disorder are often deficient in vitamin B6. Supplements may not only decrease the Inflammation that causes complications but also improve circulation to the compromised areas. In addition, vitamin B6 may boost the production of the Neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which helps to control pain.

Counter female infertility.

Along with other B vitamins, vitamin B6 contributes to the health and proper functioning of the female reproductive system.

Fight asthma.

According to various studies, vitamin B6 holds promise for decreasing wheezing and other bothersome asthma symptoms. It's particularly recommended for asthma sufferers taking the prescription drug theophylline, which depresses natural levels of the vitamin B6 component known as pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P).

Treat chronic dizziness.

Vitamin B6 supplements may be of use in treating chronic dizziness caused by a nerve disorder or decreased blood flow to the brain or inner ear.

Lessen tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

This condition is probably caused by a nerve malfunction in the brain. Because vitamin B6 positively affects the nervous system, it may improve the health of the nerves leading to the inner ear and thus minimize the discomforts of tinnitus.

Slow the progression of Parkinson's disease.

People with this disease lack dopamine, a brain chemical that transmits impulses from nerve to nerve. They are also often deficient in vitamin B6. Interestingly, supplements of the vitamin work to increase the production of dopamine. Consult your doctor for guidance before starting on vitamin B6 supplements if you're already taking the prescription drug levodopa (L-dopa) for this disease, however, because the vitamin could prevent the medication from working properly.

Wholehealthmd.com

Click Here to go back to top