Vitamin B6 - Nature Cures®

Table of Contents

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is required for the balancing of hormonal changes in women as well as assisting the immune system and the growth of new cells. It is also used in the processing and metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, while assisting with controlling moods as well as behaviour. Natural foods rich in pyridoxine might also be of benefit for children with learning difficulties, as well as assisting in the prevention of dandruff, eczema and psoriasis.

Vitamin B6 is closely associated with functions of the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. Its deficiency may result in neurological disorders including convulsions and epileptic encephalopathy.

Vitamin B6 also assists in the balancing of sodium and potassium and promotes red blood cell production. It is further involved in the nucleic acids RNA as well as DNA. It also is also needed by the body to manufacture its own vitamin B3 (niacin) and converts glycogen to the glucose needed for energy.

It is further linked to cancer immunity and fights the formation of the toxic chemical homocysteine, which is detrimental to the heart muscle. Women may suffer from pre-menstrual fluid retention, severe period pains, emotional PMS symptoms, premenstrual acne and nausea in early pregnancy and consuming foods rich in vitamin B6, which is a natural diuretic, can help to reduce these symptoms.

Mood swings, depression as well as loss of sexual drive is sometimes noted when vitamin B6 is in short supply and the person is on hormone replacement therapy or on birth control pills.

Deficiency of vitamin B6

Alcohol promotes the loss and destruction of vitamin B6 from the body and the medicine theophylline, often prescribed to asthmatic children, decreases levels of vitamin B6 in the body. Vitamin B6 deficiency symptoms will be very much like those of vitamin B2, B3, B6 and B9 and can include the following:

Allergies
Asthma
Bone changes such as osteoporosis and arthritis
Depression
Epilepsy
General weakness
Inflamed tongue
Insomnia
Irritability and nervousness
Kidney stones:
Low glucose tolerance and high blood sugar
Ridged nails
Skin disorders such as dermatitis and acne
Swelling of bodily tissues (oedema). For natural ways to treat this see Water retention

Vitamin B6 in conjunction with magnesium has been found effective in the prevention and treatment of kidney stones.

Coffee has a mild diuretic effect, which increases urination and water-soluble vitamins, such as the B vitamins, can be depleted as a result of this fluid loss. In addition, it also interferes with the metabolism of some B vitamins, such as vitamin B6. Prolonged diarrhoea, drinking excessive alcohol and liver disease impairs the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B6.

Athletes, dancers and others involve in extreme physical activities may become deficient in vitamin B6 due to excessive perspiration and fluid loss. See>> Sports Nutrition

Highest sources of vitamin B6 in milligrams per 100 grams

Whey 5.62mg
Yeast extract 4.60 mg
Rice bran 4.07 mg
Shiitake mushrooms 3.59 mg
Fish roe 3.50 mg
Spirulina 3.48 mg
Sage 2.69 mg
Paprika 2.51 mg
Wheat germ 2.26 mg
Sun dried tomatoes 2.09 mg
Goose 1.83 mg
Chicken livers 0.76 mg
Lobster 1.67 mg

Brewer’s yeast 1.50 mg
Duck 1.50 mg
Sunflower seeds 1.35 mg
Wheat germ 1.30 mg
Garlic 1.24 mg
Buckwheat 1.23 mg
Pistachio nuts 1.12 mg
Tuna fish 1.04 mg
Beef or calf’s liver 1.03 mg
Shiitake mushrooms 0.97 mg
Salmon 0.94 mg
Turkey 0.81 mg
Venison 0.76 mg

NOTE: Wild salmon (0.94 mg) contains far more vitamin B6 than farmed salmon (0.56 mg) and fresh salmon and tuna are far richer in vitamin B6 than tinned.

Vitamin B6 toxicity

Supplements are not advised, unless blood tests show a deficiency, as excessive consumption of vitamin B6 can cause abnormal heart rhythms, acne, breast enlargement and/or soreness, decreased muscle tone, drowsiness, headaches and nausea, heartburn and loss of appetite, stomach upset, ulcerative colitis and other severe allergic reactions.

It is also possible that excessive amounts taken by pregnant women can cause teratogenic effects on a growing embryo, which causes the loss of sensation and eventual neuropathy.

Vitamin B complex

For more information about the importance of the vitamin B complex and the highest natural sources of these vital nutrients follow the links below:

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