GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Found in brewer’s yeast, sunflower seeds,
wheat germ, liver and other organ meats, blackstrap molasses, bananas, walnuts, roasted
peanuts, canned tuna and salmon. Breakfast cereals are often
fortified with Vitamin B6. Vegetarians and vegans, women
taking the combined contraceptive pill, people aged 55 and above, and heavy drinkers may all benefit
from taking supplementary vitamin B6.
ROLE IN ANTI-AGING:
B6 metabolizes proteins, fats, and carbohydrates;
it forms hormones for adrenaline
and insulin, and is essential for
maintaining a healthy nervous system. It is also required for the formation of
hemoglobin in red blood cells and antibodies
that help fight infection. Vitamin B6 is used in the
synthesis of RNA and DNA, and is needed for the production
of hydrochloric acid. It also helps to regulate body fluids. Several studies have shown that vitamin
B6 helps to lower blood levels of the amino acid
homocysteine. Elevated homocysteine levels are associated
with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and osteoporosis. Vitamin B6 can help to relieve carpal
tunnel syndrome and symptoms of PMS, when used alongside
magnesium it can help to prevent kidney stones. Some
research has suggested that vitamin B6 may be useful in alleviating the symptoms of asthma, however this remains inconclusive.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
Symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency include:
greasy, scaly dermatitis between the eyebrows and on body parts that rub together; low blood sugar;
numbness and tingling in the hands and feet; neuritis;
arthritis; trembling hands in the aged; water retention and
swelling during pregnancy; nausea; motion sickness; mental retardation; epilepsy; kidney stones; anemia; excessive fatigue; nervous breakdown;
mental illness; acne; convulsions. Babies and newborn
infants may develop crusty yellow scabs on the scalp
called “cradle cap.” Government surveys suggest that as many as one-third of US adults suffer
from vitamin B6 deficiency.
THERAPEUTIC DAILY AMOUNT:
50-100mg combined with a B-complex supplement.
RDA is 2mg.
MAXIMUM SAFE LEVEL:
Doses of up to 100mg per day on a long-term
basis are safe, although no adverse effects have been seen with doses of up to 200mg. Doses in
excess of 200mg may cause nerve damage in the
long-term.
SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS:
No side effects are associated with recommended
dosages of vitamin B6. People taking
anticonvulsant drugs for the treatment of epilepsy and
levodopa (L-dopa) for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease
may wish to consult their doctor before taking supplementary vitamin B6 as it may decrease the
effectiveness of these drugs.
SOLUBILITY:
soluble
