Pyridoxine Treatment

Pyridoxine, more commonly known as vitamin B-6, is one of eight B vitamins and is typically included in B-complex supplements and multivitamins. This vitamin is also found naturally in foods such as eggs, fish, sunflower seeds, whole-grain breads, spinach, carrots and avocados. Pyridoxine may be used as part of a treatment regimen for several conditions. Check with your doctor before boosting your pyridoxine intake to treat any illness or condition.

Digestion Problems

Vitamin B-6 may help with digestion problems by regulating the production of hydrochloric acid in your stomach, according to Phyllis Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." This may aid in the absorption of nutrients from food sources -- particularly fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Improved digestion may also help prevent the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, which may be worsened by incomplete digestion.

Heart Disease Prevention

Increasing your intake of pyridoxine may help lower your risk of heart disease. This vitamin, in conjunction with folic acid and cobalamin, may lower homocysteine levels in your bloodstream. Homocysteine is a chemical that is closely linked to heart disease; however, current research is inconclusive regarding whether homocysteine elevation is a cause or an effect of heart disease.

Depression Treatment

Depression is a chronic condition characterized by sadness, fatigue, loss of interest in daily activities, headaches and nervousness. Pyridoxine may help reduce symptoms of depression by enhancing the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter chemical that regulates mood. Pyridoxine's role in improving the absorption of carbohydrates and fats from food sources may also enhance brain activity, which may relieve depression.

Considerations

Check with your doctor if you take prescription antidepressants or oral contraceptives, as these drugs may deplete pyridoxine levels in your body. Diuretic herbs such as parsley and celery seed may inhibit your body's ability to absorb this vitamin. Doses of more than 200 mg of pyridoxine may contribute to neurological problems, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Boosting your intake of pyridoxine may also cause nausea, stomach pain, appetite changes and sunlight sensitivity in rare cases.