Vitamin B-6 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays many roles in the human body. Your body trying to function without vitamin B-6 would be like making bread and forgetting the yeast -- the results would be less than desirable. Fortunately, vitamin B-6 is found in many food sources, making it relatively easy to obtain your recommended daily amount of the vitamin by following a nutritious, balanced diet plan.
Function
Vitamin B-6 plays a significant role in the function of over 100 enzymes in the body -- catalysts that bring about chemical reactions necessary for the proper working of the body's systems. B-6 aids hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying component of the blood, to bind with oxygen.
Niacin, another B vitamin needed by the body, can be synthesized in the body as a result of B-6 working as a coenzyme with tryptophan to provide some of the body's daily requirements of niacin, explains the Linus Pauling Institute of Oregon State University.
The production of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters in the brain, is dependent on the presence of vitamin B-6.
Considerations
Although vitamin B-6 has been prescribed in high doses in treatment for conditions in which nerve pain exists such as carpal tunnel syndrome and neuropathy, the Merck Manual advises that "there is little evidence of benefit" and such doses of B-6 may have harmful effects.
Expert Insight
The Linus Pauling Institute refers to two studies, "Clinical Results of a Cross-over Treatment with Pyridoxine and Placebo of the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome" and "Vitamin B6 Deficiency in Patients with a Clinical Syndrome Including the Carpal Tunnel Defect. Biochemical and Clinical Response to Therapy with Pyridoxine." The former study was published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," and the latter was published in "Research Communications in Chemical Pathology and Pharmacology." The Linus Pauling Institute's reference to these studies precedes the institute's conclusion: "While a few trials have noted some symptomatic relief with vitamin B6 supplementation, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have not generally found vitamin B6 to be effective in treating carpal tunnel syndrome."
Another study completed on the effect of B-6 and its treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome was published in the January-March 2006 edition of "Reumatismo" that states that vitamin B-6 is no more effective at relieving the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome than are placebos.
Further Research
Vitamin B-6 has also been used in high doses for the potential treatment of another condition that produces nerve pain, premenstrual syndrome, PMS. The Linus Pauling Institute refers to a review of 12 studies titled, "Vitamin B6 in the Treatment of the Premenstrual Syndrome--A Review," published in the "British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology." The review found that the evidence of vitamin B-6 to be helpful in relieving symptoms of PMS was "weak" based on the 12 studies done and suggested more systemized trials involving more participants was needed.
Warning
The Office of Dietary Supplements warns that too much vitamin B-6 can cause nerve damage to both upper and lower extremities. No more than 200 mg per day is recommended.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute of Oregon State University: Macronutrient Information Center -- Vitamin B-6
- Merck Manuals: Vitamin B-6
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Clinical Results of a Cross-over Treatment with Pyridoxine and Placebo of the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome;
- "Research Communications in Chemical Pathology and Pharmacology": Vitamin B6 Deficiency in Patients with a Clinical Syndrome Including the Carpal Tunnel Defect. Biochemical and Clinical Response to Therapy with Pyridoxine; J. Ellis, et al, October 1979
- "British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology": Vitamin B6 in the Treatment of the Premenstrual Syndrome--A Review; J. Kleijnen; September 1990
- "Reumatismo": Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment; R. De Angelis, et al; Jan-Mar 2006
