| Required by the body to metabolize proteins, helping to break down
and convert amino acids to energy and fatty acids; synthesizes RNA,
DNA, hemoglobin, insulin, muscle protein and smooth muscle function;
forms antibodies which are essential to protect the body against infection;
works with magnesium to prevent the formation of calcium deposits,
gallstones and kidney stones; necessary for enzyme activity; essential
for the synthesis of tryptophan and the conversion of tryptophan to
niacin (vitamin B3); required for the production of neurotransmitters
derived from amino acids such as serotonin, GABA, norepinephrine,
acetylcholine and histamine; facilitates the conversion of glycogen
to glucose for energy production; useful in treating depression (vitamin
B6 is involved in the synthesis of serotonin); useful in treating
premenstrual syndrome associated with oral contraceptives (estrogens
inhibit the absorption of vitamin B6); and lowers homocysteine levels
when used in combination with vitamin B12 and folate. Current scientific
research confirms that elevated homocysteine levels increase the risk
of heart disease by damaging coronary arteries, eventually leading
to atherosclerosis and other forms of heart disease.
A vitamin B6 deficiency could be a contributing cause of anemia,
anxiety, altered mobility, calcium deposits, carpal tunnel syndrome,
convulsions, decreased alertness, depression, dermatitis, gallstones,
heart disease, insomnia, irritability, kidney stones, lethargy,
nausea, nerve inflammation, premenstrual syndrome, seborrheic dermatitis,
sleep disturbances, vomiting and weakness. Vitamin B6 is helpful
for women during pregnancy, and when combined with magnesium, reduces
symptoms of toxemia. In heart disease, vitamin B6 helps to regulate
essential fatty acids, plays a role in regulating the level of fats
in the blood, lowers homocysteine levels ¾ reducing the risk
of heart disease (when used in combination with vitamin B12 and
folate), and may help protect from a heart attack resulting from
a clot forming in a damaged coronary artery. Vitamin B6 also reduces
birth defects and is used to treat childhood autism. Further, vitamin
B6 is an essential co-factor for 5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase,
an enzyme that catalyses one of the steps in the conversion of tryptophan
to serotonin. Thus, a vitamin B6 deficiency can limit the brain's
ability to synthesize serotonin. Low serotonin levels are associated
with depression.
Pharmaceutical drugs that can cause a vitamin B6 deficiency include
aminoglycosides, bumetanide, cephalosporins, chlortetracycline,
demeclocycline, diethylstilbestrol, doxycycline, estrogens (conjugated
and esterified), ethacrynic acid, fluoroquinolones, furosemide,
hydralazine, hydralazine and hydrochlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide,
isoniazid, macrolides, minocycline, oral contraceptives, oxytetracycline,
penicillamine, penicillins, quinestrol, raloxifene, sulfonamides,
tetracyclines, theophylline, torsemide and trimethoprim.
Dietary sources
richest in vitamin B6 (per serving) include bananas, brewer's yeast,
enriched grains and grain products, legumes (beans, lentils, peas,
soybeans), meats and meat products (particularly organ meats, and
especially liver), nutritional supplements, nutritional yeasts,
potato and wheat germ.
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hCG
