Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl) Benefits

Numerous maladies stem from a Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl) deficiency. Symptoms from weakness, anxiousness, and irritability to conditions like insomnia, nervous system malfunctions, or atherosclerosis can often be traced to a lack of Vitamin B6.

• Vitamin B6 helps to manufacture enzymes and helps the processes of nucleic acids RNA and DNA. Vitamin B6 is critical to the body’s immune system, helping it manufacture healthy red blood cells. Vitamin B6 supports the health of the spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes, which produce white blood cells.
• Vitamin B6 protects the body from cancer and prevents the development of the chemical homocysteine, which attacks the heart muscle. It further aids the heart by lowering the risk of life threatening events, including heart attacks and further heart surgeries, after an angioplasty.
• Helping to balance potassium and sodium, Vitamin B6 is necessary to balancing body fluids and allowing the heart, nerves, and musculoskeletal system to function normally. Oxygen is more efficiently transported throughout the body with the help of Vitamin B6, which permits the formation of hemoglobin, the carrier that takes oxygen throughout the body.
• The body converts protein (amino acids), carbohydrates, and fats to energy with the help of Vitamin B6. Blood sugar (glucose) is kept in a healthy range by Vitamin B6 when the body experiences a shortage in caloric intake.
• The production of serotonin in the brain relies on Vitamin B6. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which controls sensitivity to pain, appetites, moods, and sleep patterns.
• Vitamin B6 also helps to balance hormonal changes in women and, in conjunction with potassium and magnesium, eases premenstrual symptoms. There is some evidence that Vitamin B6 could aid children with learning disabilities.
• Some studies indicate that Vitamin B6 can lower the frequency of nerve-related issues in those who are diabetic. Vitamin B6 also aids older individuals by improving cognitive performance and reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Patients using Isoniazid (INH) often take daily Vitamin B6 supplements to prevent adverse side effects connected with Isoniazid.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl) Sources

Prevalent in natural food sources, Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl) exists in potatoes, legumes, whole grains and brown rice, meat (especially organ meat), fish, eggs, as well as in cabbage, carrots, and bananas.

Unfortunately, both food processing and ultraviolet light can very quickly destroy Vitamin B6. This causes most food products to contain less Vitamin B6 than the original food did in its natural state. Because of this, it is often necessary to take a supplemental amount of the Vitamin B family to receive an adequate daily amount.

In both supplements and natural foods, Vitamin B6 is often found in conjunction with other members of the Vitamin B family. Research indicates that Vitamin B6 most effectively combats homocysteine when taken with folic acid and Vitamic B12.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl) Side Effects

Problems involving Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl) often occur when it is not taken in conjunction with other B vitamins. Vitamin B6 and B12, for instance, complement one another’s function in the communication between nerve cells.

Because of this risk and these benefits, be sure to include several B vitamins in your diet to avoid these issues. Taken in prescribed doses, Vitamin B6 usually has no adverse effects. Be sure to consult a medical practitioner, and be aware that the FDA does not regulate Vitamin B6 supplements.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl) Dosage

Daily dosages under 200 milligrams for healthy adults are generally considered safe, with dosages 200 milligrams and over considered too high. Such high amounts are unadvisable, particularly when taken for a long time.

Negative effects occurred far more frequently in dosages over 500 milligrams per day. Amounts of 2,000 milligrams, taken over two months or more, can be toxic. In several cases, irreversible nervous system damage occurred when these high amounts were taken.

An unnaturally large amount of Vitamin B6 can cause problems in the nervous system, such as loss of balance or loss of sensation in the legs. Other symptoms include numbness of other parts of the body, poor coordination, decreased awareness of temperature, and tiredness lasting several months.

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