Read your labels. Have you ever fathomed the marvel of the supplements that you take each morning? Many of us are regular patronisers of food supplements because of the very reason that we want to keep an optimum health status for a longer life.  The B vitamins are famous and can always be seen in the information of multivamins bottles and because of the growing and available knowledge about nutrition at hand, we always want to track of what foods and supplements to take to keep a healthy body.

The water soluble vitamin, B act as part of coenzymes—a small molecule that combines with an enzyme and activates it. Each of the B vitamins has its own special nature and benefit to the body. The role of the B vitamins in the body organs and tissues is that it helps the body metabolize carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids. A lot people think that the B vitamins supply the energy of our bodies. The truth is: they do not directly. They only act as helpers by helping the body use the energy that we get from the carbohydrates, protein, and fat from the foods we eat.  Some may help generate energy while others may help make protein and new cells in the body.

Food Sources of Vitamin B6

Pyridoxine Hcl is the molecule that is most often correlated with vitamin B6. It is found in a variety of foods and also has a very diverse list of functions. A good source of vitamin B6 is found in rice bran, sweet potato, baked potato, chicken breast, green leafy vegetables, (such as cabbage, spinach) legumes, (such as peanuts, green beans, walnuts) organ meats (such as beef liver, gizzard, etc.), fruits, (such as cantalouple and banana) brewer’s yeast, cereals, corr seeds, soybeans, carrots, pecans, green peppers, milk, and whole grains.

The Benefits of Vitamin B6 in the Diet or Supplements

Always make it a point to read supplement labels.

Now let’s concentrate on the benefits of Vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is involved in more bodily functions that almost any other single nutrient. It is necessary for both physical and mental health. Pyridoxine helps in the maintenance of sodium and potassium homeostasis in the body. It also promotes red blood cell formation. It has a huge role in the synthesis of haemoglobin and neurotransmitters of the body. It assists in releasing stored glucose from glycogen and contributes to the regulation of blood sugar. It is necessary for absorption of fats and protein in the body and aids in the utilization of energy we get from food. It aids in the conversion of tryptophan to niacin. It helps in achieving normal brain function and enhances the nervous system. It helps in the synthesis of RNA and DNA and for normal cellular growth. It also helps in the better absorption of vitamin B12 in the body and also promotes immune system and antibody functions.

Vitamin B6, 50mg tablets

P5P is the active form of vitamin B6

Foods are excellent sources of vitamin B6 but also, can be made in the laboratory. Vitamin B6 supplements can be purchased via over the counter. Its alternative names are Pyridoxine or Pyridoxine Hcl. It’s active forms are pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine. Vitamin B6 is an antioxidant that helps the body inhibit the formation of damaging free radicals. It helps the cells to convert one kind of amino acid, which cells have in abundance, to other non-essential amino acids that thte cells lack. Homocysteine is an amino acid produced as an intermediate compound during amino acid metabolism. Excess of homocysteine causes atherosclerosis, or the thickening and hardening of the artery walls. A buildup of homocysteine in the blood is associated with deficiencies of folate and other types of B vitamins and may increase the risk of diseases. An adequate supply of vitamin B6 may prevent the accumulation of the toxic metabolite, homocysteine. B6 deficiency can also weaken the heart muscles and raise serum cholesterol levels. Even we are eating foods rich in vitamin B6, we may still need to add food supplements such as vitamin B6 tablets in our diet.

Supplementing with the more active form (pyridoxal-5’-phosphate), or P5P may improve the response with some individuals. Read your labels. Some supplements come with both forms of the vitamin included. It helps in increasing the effective B6 concentration.

Indications of vitamin B6 tablets is used for preventing and treating deficiencies of pyridoxine and the anemia that may result. It is used to help boost the immune system, prevent cancer and treat kidney stones. It is also used to treat heart diseases, high cholesterol, help reduce clogged arteries, and as a drug therapy after angioplasty.  These are also recommended for women for treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and other menstruation problems. During pregnancy, especially on the early stages where morning sickness such as nausea and vomiting are profound, vitamin B6 supplements are often prescribed by the doctor. It can also be prescribed to stop lactation after childbirth and to treat depression related to pregnancy, menopause, or using birth control pills. It is popularly used for nerve pain, neurological affectations, carpal tunnel syndrome, seizures, convulsions, tardive dyskinesia, chorea, anorexia, Alzheimer’s disease, Attention Deficit Hyper-activity Disorder (ADHD), Down Syndrome, and Autism because of its neurological and mental benefits. It also has benefits for treating dizziness, motion sicknesss and preventing eye diseases. It is also used to overcome harmful sideeffects of many chemotherapeutic drugs.

Vitamin B6 Deficiency

Deficiency of this vitamin can lead to general symptoms such as weakness, psychological depression, confusion, irritability and insomnia. It can also lead to anemia, greasy dermatitis. It can also lead to convulsions and other neurologic disorders. It can also lead to weak immune system. Studies have shown that deficiencies in vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin B6 can lead to cardiovascular diseases because the lack of these B vitamins can elevate homocysteine build up in the blood.