There are a lot of people that are not aware of the proprieties of the vitamins B and their benefits for mood disorders such as depression. Here's how it works.
Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, is one of eight water-soluble B vitamins. Vitamin B6 serves as coenzyme and is involved in the metabolism of protein and carbohydrates, the production of insulin and red and white blood cells, and the synthesis of neurotransmitters, enzymes, and prostaglandins. Vitamin B6 is essential in numerous biochemical pathways involving red blood cells, the immune system, central nervous system function, protein metabolism, homocysteine metabolism, and also the production of energy. Pyridoxine is an especially important vitamin for maintaining healthy nerve and muscle cells and it aids in the production of DNA and RNA, the body's genetic material. It is necessary for proper absorption of vitamin B12 and for the production of red blood cells and cells of the immune system.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is the principal form of vitamin B6 used for food fortification and in nutritional supplements. Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate is also available as a nutritional supplement. Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, is involved in a wide range of biochemical reactions, including the metabolism of amino acids and glycogen, the synthesis of nucleic acids, hemogloblin, sphingomyelin and other sphingolipids, and the synthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and gamma-aminobutyric acid ( GABA ). Any person suffering from depression should be aware of the those benefits concerning the serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine and GABA neurotransmitter synthesis.
Vitamin B6 supports more vital bodily functions than any other vitamin. Vitamin B6 is a coenzyme for several enzyme systems. Vitamin B6, used mainly in the body for the processing of amino acids, performs this task along with certain enzymes. It is vital in the metabolism of amino acids in the intestines. It allows the amino acids to be synthesized, broken down and absorbed. The forming of histamine, serotonin, dopamine and adrenaline are dependent on vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is required for the production of serotonin and helps to maintain healthy immune system functions, to protect the heart from cholesterol deposits, and to prevent kidney stone formation.
Vitamin B6 is indicated for the treatment of sideroblast anemia, neurologic disturbances, seborrhoeic dermatitis, and cheilosis. In combination with folic acid and vitamin B12, vitamin B6 lowers homocysteine levels which is an amino acid linked to heart disease and stroke, and possibly other diseases as well, such as osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Pyridoxine is required for the balancing of hormonal changes in women as well as assisting the immune system and the growth of new cells. Vitamin B6 may be helpful in some women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder, also known as premenstrual syndrome ( PMS ), and may be useful in some cases of gestational diabetes and for protection against metabolic imbalances associated with the use of some oral contraceptives. Vitamin B6 promotes iron excretion and this has been used as a rationale for treatment in iron storage diseases.
The most common supplemental intake is 10–25 mg per day. However, high amounts ( 100–200 mg per day or even more ) may be recommended for certain conditions.
Vitamin B6 toxicity?
Be careful, vitamin B6 is usually safe, at intakes up to 200 mg per day in adults. However, vitamin B6 can cause neurological disorders, such as loss of sensation in legs and imbalance, when taken in high doses ( 200 mg or more per day ) over a long period of time. Vitamin B6 toxicity can damage sensory nerves, leading to numbness in the hands and feet as well as difficulty walking. Symptoms of a pyridoxine overdose may include poor coordination, staggering, numbness, decreased sensation to touch, temperature, and vibration,; and tiredness for up to six months.
Happy holiday and eat well!
M4