Pyridoxine, commonly referred to as vitamin B6, is a member of the B-complex family of vitamins. It is found in high amounts in meat, fish, poultry and shellfish, and in lesser amounts in leafy green vegetables, legumes, fruits and whole grains. High dose B6 supplements have been purported to treat a variety of health conditions but you should talk to your doctor before supplementing with B6.
B6 Basics
B6 along with the other B vitamins stimulate various metabolic functions in your body and they help to turn food into fuel, which is then burned to produce energy. B vitamins also support a healthy nervous system, help your body to metabolize fat and protein and promote healthy skin, hair, eyes and liver. B6 along with B12 and B9, also help to control levels of a substance known as homocysteine in your blood. This is important because high levels of homocysteine have been associated with an increased risk for heart disease. B12 is required for healthy red blood cell formation and to support the immune system and B6 plays a supporting role in this, by helping your body to properly absorb B12.
Healthy Brain and Happy Mood
B6 plays an important role in the metabolism of amino acids, which are byproducts of protein. Amino acids are required for your body to make several important neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that carry signals from one nerve cell to another and are essential for brain development and function. B6 also helps your body to make serotonin and norepinephrine, which are two neurotransmitters that play an important role in regulating your mood. Serotonin is considered the happy neurotransmitter and B6 may therefore help to reduce symptoms of depression. In addition, B6 helps your body to make the hormone melatonin, which helps to regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
List of Purported Benefits
B6 is used for the treatment of alcoholism, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, circulatory disorders, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and peripheral neuropathy, which is a disease characterized by damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center warns however that more research needs to be done to confirm the efficacy of using B6 supplements for these purposes.
Pregnancy-Related Nausea and Hand-Foot Syndrome
B6 is sometimes used to reduce pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting however studies on pregnant women have shown conflicting results, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Palmar plantar erythrodysesthesia, also referred to as hand-foot syndrome, is an unpleasant or painful feeling in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. MSKCC states that more research needs to be done, but preliminary evidence suggests that B6 may also help to treat hand-foot syndrome.
Precautions
Symptoms of B6 deficiency may include muscle weakness, nervousness, irritability, depression, difficulty concentrating and short-term memory loss. Side effects of B6 supplements are rare but can include drowsiness, headaches and mild flushing. High doses of B6, exceeding 200 mg daily, taken over a long period of time may also cause severe respiratory difficulties, profound sedation, vomiting and ataxia, which is a condition where there is a pronounced lack of muscular coordination. Fortunately, a reversal of these symptoms usually occurs when the B6 is discontinued.
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