Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine 5-phosphate)
For the body system: Serotonin

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Vitamin B6, particularly in its active form pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP), plays an established biochemical role in the synthesis of serotonin, a neurotransmitter crucial for mood regulation and other central nervous system functions. Vitamin B6 acts as a coenzyme for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) to serotonin. Deficiency of Vitamin B6 can impair this pathway, potentially reducing serotonin production and leading to mood disturbances such as depression or irritability.

Several clinical and biochemical studies have demonstrated that low Vitamin B6 status is associated with lower serotonin levels and mood disorders. Supplementation with Vitamin B6 has been shown in some trials to improve symptoms in premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and depression, likely due to its role in neurotransmitter synthesis, although results are mixed and larger, well-controlled studies are needed for definitive clinical recommendations. The evidence supporting Vitamin B6 supplementation for serotonin-related disorders, while biologically plausible and supported by mechanistic studies, is not uniformly strong in terms of clinical outcomes. Therefore, the use of Vitamin B6 to support the serotonin system is justified by its well-understood biochemical function, but clinical evidence for supplementation’s therapeutic efficacy is moderate.

More about Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine 5-phosphate)
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Other body systems supported by Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine 5-phosphate)

Blood
Brain
Gastrointestinal Tract
Immune System
Nerves
Serotonin

Products containing Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine 5-phosphate)

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