Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Also known as: pyridoxine

There are six forms of Vitamin B6:

• Pyridoxal (PL)
• Pyridoxine (PN)
• Pyridoxamine (PM)

And their derivatives:

• Pyridoxal 5’-Phosphate (PLP)
• Pyridoxine 5’-Phosphate (PNP)
• Pridoxamine 5’-Phosphate (PMP)

(Note: PLP is the active coenzyme form which has the most importance in metabolism.)

Vitamin B6 is water soluble so it must be supplemented daily. B6 is most effective when taken with the B group of vitamins.

Vitamin B6 also plays a big role in maintaining muscle tone along the digestive tract, maintains health of the nervous system, skin, eyes, mouth as well as the liver as do all the B vitamins.

Vitamin B6 is water soluble and must be taken every day because it is not stored in the body for long periods of time for it is excreted within one to four days.

Home Remedies using Vitamin B6:

Benefits and Uses of Vitamin B6:

Vitamin B6 is involved in more bodily functions than any other single nutrient.

• Affects mental and physical health
• Beneficial for those who suffer from water retention
• Essential for the production of hydochloric acid and the absorption of fats and for enzymes taking part in protein metabolism
• Aids in maintaining sodium and potassium balance
• Promotes red blood cell formation
• Required by the nervous system, for normal brain function, and for the synthesis of RNA and DNA, which controls cell reproduction and normal cellular growth.

Vitamin B6 is found to be helpful for:

• Aiding in immune system function, and anti-body production
• Helping prevent cholesterol from building up around the heart
• Reducing the symptoms of PMS
• Treating allergies
• Treating arthritis
• Treating asthma
• Adequate B6 levels help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome

Vitamin B6 comes in the following over the counter forms:

• Tablet
• Capsule
• Powder
• Sublingual
• Lozenge
• Liquid

Vitamin B6 can be found in all foods, but the highest concentrations can be found in:

• Carrots
• Chicken
• Eggs
• Fish
• Meat
• Peas
• Spinach
• Sunflower seeds
• Walnuts
• Wheat germ

The toxicity of Vitamin B6 only comes from over supplementation, never from eating foods rich in B6. Very high doses of Vitamin B6 may result in painful neurological symptoms know as sensory neuropathy.

Symptoms include pain and numbness of the extremities and in sever cases difficulty walking. Sensory neuropathy usually develops at doses of 1,000 mg per day. However, there have been some cases of individuals who developed these symptoms with doses of 500 mg per day.

No report of sensory neuropathy have been noted at doses at or below 200 mg per day. Because there is little evidence that one needs more than 100 mg per day, there is no reason to exceed this amount.

(Note: Taking any one of the B vitamins alone for long periods of time can result in an imbalance of other B Vitamins, for this reason it is best to take a B vitamin complex formula rather than a single B vitamin supplement alone.)