Vitamin B6

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Other names
Synopsis
Uses: Health Conditions
Uses: Body Systems
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Other names for vitamin B6

Pyridoxine HCl
Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate (P-5-P)
Pyridoxamine

Synopsis of vitamin B6

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an essential role in metabolism, brain function, and the synthesis of hemoglobin in red blood cells. It is involved in over 100 enzymatic reactions in the body, many of which are critical for amino acid metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and glucose metabolism. Vitamin B6 is found in a variety of foods, including poultry, fish, potatoes, bananas, fortified cereals, and legumes.

One of the key functions of vitamin B6 is its involvement in the production of serotonin, norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), all of which are neurotransmitters that regulate mood, sleep, and stress responses. Vitamin B6 also helps the body convert homocysteine, an amino acid that, at high levels, is associated with heart disease and stroke, into cysteine or other beneficial compounds. Thus, vitamin B6 plays a role in cardiovascular health as well.

Vitamin B6 also supports immune function, skin health, cognitive function, and hormonal balance, particularly in women. It is often used to manage premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and is thought to alleviate symptoms like irritability, mood swings, and fatigue.

Historical Use:
Vitamin B6 was first discovered in the 1930s when scientists began isolating the B-vitamin complex and identifying the various members, including thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), and pantothenic acid (B5). It wasn’t until 1934 that pyridoxine was identified as the active form of vitamin B6 by Paul Gyorgy and colleagues. They initially found that a deficiency of vitamin B6 in animals led to skin lesions, seizures, and even death, marking the compound as essential to life.

The initial recognition of vitamin B6’s role in amino acid metabolism led to its use in clinical medicine, particularly in treating metabolic disorders and peripheral neuropathy. Vitamin B6 deficiency was associated with conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, glossitis, and irritability, which were common in individuals with poor nutrition or those suffering from chronic alcoholism.

By the 1940s and 1950s, vitamin B6 gained more attention for its role in nervous system health and brain function. In the following decades, as clinical research advanced, vitamin B6 was increasingly recognized for its broad spectrum of benefits, including its role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, as well as its involvement in hormonal regulation and cardiovascular health.

By the 1980s, vitamin B6 supplementation became popular for managing PMS, with many studies supporting its use in alleviating common symptoms like irritability, bloating, and mood swings. It was also noted for its therapeutic benefits in managing carpal tunnel syndrome and nausea during pregnancy (as part of the combination treatment for morning sickness).

Today, vitamin B6 is a widely used supplement, often included in multivitamins and B-complex formulations. Its health benefits, especially in mental health, immune function, and heart disease prevention, continue to be supported by modern research. Additionally, its ability to support neurological health and hormonal balance has kept it relevant in both preventive and therapeutic medicine.

Vitamin B6 is used for these health conditions

Alcoholism (Scientific)
Amenorrhea (Traditional)
Anemia (Scientific)
Anxiety (Scientific)
Anxiety Disorders (Scientific)
Anger (excessive) (Scientific)
Arthritis (Scientific)
Attention Deficit Disorder (Scientific)
Autism (Scientific)
Bell's Palsy (Traditional)
Burning Feet or Hands (Traditional)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Traditional)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects) (Scientific)
Depression (Scientific)
Diabetes (Scientific)
Dysmenorrhea (Scientific)
Emotional Sensitivity (Scientific)
Energy (lack of) (Scientific)
Epilepsy (Scientific)
Fatigue (Scientific)
Hair (loss or thinning) (Traditional)
Hair Care (general) (Traditional)
Hangover (Traditional)
Hashimoto's Disease (Scientific)
Hiccups (Traditional)
Hot Flashes (Traditional)
Infertility (Scientific)
Inflammation (Scientific)
Insomnia (Traditional)
Irritability (Scientific)
Kidney Stones (Scientific)
Liver Detoxification (Scientific)
Memory and Brain Function (Scientific)
Menopause (Traditional)
Menorrhagia (Traditional)
Menstrual Irregularity (Traditional)
Menstruation (scant) (Traditional)
Mental Illness (Scientific)
Migraine (Scientific)
Mood Swings (Scientific)
Morning Sickness (Scientific)
Nausea and Vomiting (Scientific)
Nerve Damage (Scientific)
Nervous Exhaustion (Scientific)
Nervousness (Traditional)
Neuralgia and Neuritis (Traditional)
Nightmares (Scientific)
Numbness (Scientific)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Scientific)
PMS (general) (Scientific)
PMS Type A (Scientific)
PMS Type C (Scientific)
PMS Type D (Scientific)
PMS Type H (Scientific)
PMS Type P (Scientific)
PMS Type S (Scientific)
Post Partum Weakness (Traditional)
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for) (Scientific)
Progesterone (low) (Traditional)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (Scientific)
Schizophrenia (Scientific)
Seborrhea (Scientific)
Seizures (Scientific)
Sleep (restless and disturbed) (Scientific)
Sore or Geographic Tongue (Traditional)
Stress (Scientific)
Thinking (cloudy) (Scientific)
Tics (Scientific)
TMJ (Traditional)
Tuberculosis (Scientific)
Twitching (Scientific)
Worry (Scientific)

vitamin B6 is used to support these body systems

Adrenal Glands (Scientific)
Blood (Scientific)
Brain (Scientific)
Digestive System (Scientific)
Dopamine (Scientific)
Epinephrine (Scientific)
Estrogen (Scientific)
Female Reproductive System (Scientific)
GABA (Scientific)
Glandular System (Scientific)
Hair (Scientific)
Heart (Scientific)
Immune System (Scientific)
Nerves (Scientific)
Ovaries (Scientific)
Pineal Gland (Scientific)
Progesterone (Scientific)
Serotonin (Scientific)
Testosterone (Scientific)

Products containing vitamin B6

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