Best Vitamin B6
May 23, 2008
Getting To Know Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 (also known as Pyridoxine, Pyridoxamine or Pyridoxal) is a vitamin that can easily be dissolved in water which means the body is not able to store it for a long time. This also means that person should get a regular supply of Vitamin B6 since it is easily excreted through the urine.
Since this isn�t the most popular vitamin, you might wonder about the benefits brought by this vitamin to the body. Vitamin B6 is generally needed by the body for overall health. However, here are some specific functions of B6 to the body:
� Protein Metabolism
� Metabolism of red blood cell
� Tryptophan conversion to niacin
� Proper functioning of the nervous system
� Proper functioning of the immune system
� Increases the oxygen level of hemoglobin
� Maintenance of sugar or blood glucose
Vitamin B6 plays a very important role in the maintenance of the bodies systems and it is recommend that a person takes in at least 1.3 mg of Vitamin B6 daily (men and women below 50); 1.7 mg (men over 50); 1.5 mg (women over 50; 2 mg (women who are lactating) and 1.9 mg (women who are pregnant).
The good thing about Vitamin B6 is that it can be easily soured from plants (vegetables) and animal sources. Among the foods that contain Vitamin B6 are:
� Liver
� Chicken
� Avocados
� Nuts
� Bananas
� Wheat germ
� Fortified cereals
� Flesh and skin of baked potato
� Chicken Breast
� Salmon and Tuna
Vitamin B6 is indeed an essential Vitamin for the bodies functions. Thus, a deficiency in this vitamin can lead to serious health conditions for a person. How can a person become deficient in Vitamin B6? A person who has a poor diet and who doesn�t regularly take in foods rich in Vitamin B6 can become deficient. Alcoholics are also candidates for Vitamin B6 deficiency because alcohol destroys the presence of this vitamin in the body. Children with asthma and who are treated by tehophylline should get Vitamin B6 supplements as this medication results to a low storage of Vitamin B6 in the body.
Consider the following health problems for those who are deficient in Vitamin B6:
1. Pyroluria-is an illness related to chemical imbalance as a result of an abnormal synthesis of the hemoglobin. And because B6 is an important component in hemoglobin formation, its deficiency can cause this disease.
2. Irritability/Grumpiness/Depression-A person who exhibits this symptom can be deficient in Vitamin B6. However, studies don�t conclude that depression can be treated by Vitamin B6 supplements.
3. Dermatitis or skin disorders
4. Soreness of the tongue
5. Anemia
Vitamin B6 is popular as a supplemental treatment for:
� Vitamin B6 supplements to prevent any harm from befalling the patient.
� Premenstrual Syndrome-Vitamin B6 has been used to treat this condition which is more popularly known as PMS. However, there are reports of high toxicity among women taking this for PMS.
� Carpal tunnel syndrome-There is no scientific evidence that taking in a minimum of 100 mg of Vitamin B6 daily can treat this illness. However, a lot of books are recommending this. It is important to consult with a doctor first to ensure the safety of the patient.
� Taking Vitamin B6 either in supplements or from food sources is said to be instrumental in cutting back the risks resulting from Parkinson�s disease. However, the study is still non-conclusive.
� It can be used to lessen the effects of a hangover as well as the pains of morning sickness usually experienced by pregnant women. It has been proven safe for pregnant women although a drug containing B6 was withdrawn from the market due to the high risk of birth defects among pregnant users.
� The regular intake of Vitamin B6 as well as other substances like magnesium is said to be an effective treatment for autistic children.
Some people who may still be using Vitamin B6 supplements should be careful of a possible overdose. A Vitamin B6 (particularly from supplements not from food sources) overdose can result in a deadening or numbing of the arms and legs, also known as sensory neuropathy in the medical world. However, such a condition can be reversed once the taking in of the Vitamin B6 is stopped.