Trying to conceive is often a challenge for couples. Vitamin B-6, also known as pyridoxine, has been linked to helping with ovulation and pregnancy. A mild deficiency in vitamin B-6 is also common among adults and can affect metabolism and the central nervous system. Before eating extra B-6-rich foods or taking a supplement, it is important to discuss this vitamin with your doctor.
Why You Need Vitamin B-6
Vitamin B-6 is a water-soluble vitamin that is involved in protein and red blood cell metabolism. Vitamin B-6 is also required for the nervous and immune system, along with regulating blood sugar levels. Vitamin B-6 is also vitally important because it makes hemoglobin in your red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all the body's tissues. It is recommended that adult men and women receive 1.3 mg of vitamin B-6 per day.
Where to Find Vitamin B-6
Vitamin B-6 deficiency is common in adults with a poor diet or an illness. To prevent B-6 deficiency, which is similar to anemia, it is important that adults eat a healthy and balanced diet including vitamin B-6-rich foods. You can find this vitamin in cereal grains, legumes, potatoes, milk, cheese, eggs, fish, liver, meat and flour. Vitamin B-6 is also high in certain vegetables like carrots, spinach and peas. Bananas and peanut butter are good choices as well. Vitamin B-6 can also be taken in a supplement, although check with your doctor first.
What Is Ovulation?
The American Pregnancy Association explains that the process of ovulation occurs when a mature egg is released from the ovary, pushed down the fallopian tube, and becomes available to be fertilized. Normally only one egg is released at a time and it can live12 to 24 hours after leaving the ovary. Ovulation has two parts. The first is called the follicular phase and starts the first day of the menstrual period and continues until ovulation. The second phase, about 12 to 14 days, is the luteal phase. The luteal phase must be at least 10 days long to support pregnancy.
Vitamin B-6 and Ovulation
Vitamin B-6 has been linked to helping the body stay healthy, decreasing or alleviating PMS and assisting with fertility. Vitamin B-6 has been shown to help with ovulation that has a luteal phase defect. BabyHopes.com explains that vitamin B-6 can lengthen the luteal phase in women, improving their chances of conceiving each time an egg is released. This effect of vitamin B-6 on ovulation is still being studied, and further well-designed clinical trials might lead to better knowledge of how to enhance fertility.
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