Vitamin-B6 Deficiencies Related To Anemia, Anxiety, Asthma, Depression, Fatigue...

Vitamin-B6 is a water soluble vitamin that is instrumental in more than 100 enzyme reactions in the body. These activities are mostly related to the metabolism of amino acids and proteins.

The best sources of pyridoxine are brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, organ meats (especially liver), peanuts, legumes, potatoes and bananas. Bacteria in the human intestinal tract also synthesize vitamin B6.

Vitamin-B6 deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies. Much of this is due to the fact that a lot of vitamin B6 is lost during cooking and food processing. A U.S. Department of Agriculture study reported that 80 percent of Americans consume less than the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for pyridoxine.

Adequate pyridoxine is important because it is involved in the production of hemoglobin in red blood cells and neurotransmitters like serotonin, which plays a part in regulating our moods and preventing depression. It is also involved in energy production in the body, as well as the metabolism of homocysteine, the amino acid that is a risk factor for atherosclerosis.

When used with vitamin B12 and folic acid, studies have shown that it can decrease homocysteine levels. Decreased Vitamin-B6 levels seemed to indicate a greater risk for coronary artery disease. Dietary supplementation with the B-vitamins prevented hyperhomocysteinemia but did not prevent the development of vascular dysfunction or atherosclerotic lesions.

Other studies involving hundreds of patients who had undergone successful coronary angioplasty have evaluated these individuals following six months of therapy on vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and folic acid, comparing the results to patients on placebo. After one year, the patients on the vitamin therapy had lower rates of related cardiovascular events including heart attacks and repeated angioplasty.

There is a wide range of clinical applications for pyridoxine. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have also been found to be deficient in vitamin B6 and supplementation may be beneficial. Asthmatics may experience fewer and less severe attacks when taking pyridoxine.

Studies have shown cognitive skills such as knowing, thinking, learning and judging can be impaired in older adults with low levels of certain B vitamins. Supplementation with folate, vitamin B12 and Vitamin-B6 has been effective in enhancing cognitive performance in older adults. In fact, one study in older adults noted that subjects with low levels of vitamin B12 or folate had twice the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Pyridoxine is also an important treatment for pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy. It may even treat some symptoms of autism. It may ease some of the nerve-related problems (neuropathies) that frequently develop in diabetic patients.

Pyridoxine has been used to support female health as well. Studies suggest that it can reduce the severity and frequency of vomiting episodes during pregnancy. It may also ease PMS symptoms.

Pyridoxine is required for the metabolism of monosodium glutamate (MSG). Studies show that people who are sensitive to this common food additive find that supplementation with Vitamin-B6 often prevents or substantially reduces the severity of symptoms when they ingest MSG.