Vitamin B6

Pyridoxine

Vitamin B6 is required for the proper functioning of more than 60 different enzymes and is involved in the formation of body proteins and structural compounds, neurotransmitters, red blood cells, and prostaglandins. Vitamin B6 is also critical in maintaining hormonal balance and proper immune function. Deficiency of vitamin B6 is characterised by depression, convulsions, glucose intolerance, anaemia, impaired nerve function, cracking of the lips and tongue, and seborrhea or eczema.

PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME - A recent meta-analysis pooling data of nine trials, representing 940 patients, suggests that high dose pyridoxine supplementation is likely to be of benefit in treating premenstrual symptoms, including premenstrual depression.
DEPRESSION - Vitamin B6 nutritional status has a significant and selective modulatory impact on central production of both serotonin and GABA, neurotransmitters that control depression, pain perception, and anxiety. Vitamin B6 levels are often found to be low in women taking birth control pills or Premarin. It is likely that many millions of people taking Prozac may be suffering depression as a result of low B6 status.
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME - Vitamin B6 deficiency is a common finding in carpal tunnel syndrome. Double blind clinical trials have shown success in hundreds of patients using supplementation of vitamin B6.
PREGNANCY RELATED NAUSEA - A double-blind trial using pyridoxine (25 mg every eight hours for three days) in the treatment of morning sickness resulted in a significant reduction in vomiting, and an improvement in nausea in those who initially reported severe nausea.
KIDNEY STONES - Calcium oxalate kidney stones can be effectively prevented in most recurrent stone formers with vitamin B6 and magnesium supplementation. Vitamin B6 reduces the production and urinary excretion of oxalates.

Dosage

For most indications the therapeutic dosage of vitamin B6 is 50mg-200mg.

Peripheral nerve disorders

A standard dose of 150mg has been suggested. Concerns regarding neuropathy in humans have become evident only when doses greater than 1g per day were given for the treatment of PMS, asthma, and certain sensory neuropathies.

Potential applications

PMS, depression, asthma, carpal tunnel syndrome, morning sickness, atherosclerotic heart disease, kidney stones, diabetes (peripheral nerve abnormalities), epilepsy, autism, immune function (AIDS), morning sickness, and sickle cell anemia. Low levels of vitamin B6 (as well as folic acid and vitamin B12) may contribute to osteoporosis as a result of an increase in homocysteine. Researchers in Japan have published studies suggesting that B6 deficiencies impair conversion of alpha-linolenic acid to EPA and DHA, with the most pronounced reduction in production of DHA.

Known contraindications

Pregnant and breast-feeding women should not take more than 100 mg of vitamin B6 per day without a doctor's supervision. High dose, long term vitamin B6 supplementation should not be undertaken without physician guidance.

Interactions

The conversion of pyridoxine to its active form pyridoxine-5-phosphate (PLP) requires riboflavin, and magnesium. Corticosteroids may increase the loss of vitamin B6. Oral contraceptives have been associated with vitamin B6 depletion and clinical depression.

Use in conjunction with

PMS - Hemp seed oil, agnus castus, cal/mag/zinc

Note

Alcoholism prevents the conversion of pyridoxine to its active form PLP.

REFERENCES

Michael Murray. 1996. The Encyclopaedia of Nutritional Supplements. P. 44-53
Bowman and Russell. 2001. Present Knowledge in Nutrition. Eighth Edition.
James L. Groff, Sareen S. Gropper, Sara M. Hunt. 1995. Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism. 2nd Edition.Wyatt KM, Dimmock PW, Jones PW, Shaughn O'Brien PM. Efficacy of vitamin B6 in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: systematic review. BMJ 1999;318:1375-1381.
Mpofu C, Alani SM, Whitehouse C, et al.. No sensory neuropathy during pyridoxine treatment in homocystinuria. Arch Dis Child 1991;66:1081-1082.Bendich A, Cohen M. Vitamin B6 safety issues. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1990;585:321-330.
National Research Council. Dietary Reference Intakes for thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, biotin, and choline. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1998.

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