Good Reasons To Get Enough Vitamin B6
July 26, 2010 by Janet Roth
Filed under Vitamins and Minerals
The benefits of vitamin b6 are numerous and therefore it is a good idea to eat food where this vitamin is present. Among other foods it is found in beef, wheat bran, beans and seeds. It can also be taken in optimized supplement form to maximize benefits. An optimized supplement is more bio-available.
The body utilizes the vitamin best in its activated form. Known as pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P), doctors recommend supplements to be a minimum of twenty percent of your daily intake, since many people are unable to convert B6 to pyridoxal-5-phosphate. Taken in supplement form, this allows for better utilization.
Deficiency of this important vitamin has been linked to seborrhic dermatitis, arthritis, acne, epilepsy, irritability, autism, schizophrenia and depression. It is also needed to metabolize a variety of other proteins and enzymes. Therefore, it may be the root cause of certain disorders, which include arthritis, Parkinsons, low immunity, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), water retention, yeast infection and more.
It has been shown in clinical trials that conditions like, PMS, ADD, carpal tunnel syndrome, autism, depression and endometriosis can be treated effectively with P5P. Adding this to the body works well with nutrients in the body to create the healing.
Supplementation with B6 should be equally matched to your vitamin B12 intake and that of other B vitamins as well as magnesium. Taken on its own, it may cause toxicity. Balance is important to provide safety and optimum results.
Breaking down of fats, proteins and carbohydrates is done by pyridoxine, which is water-soluble. People who consume a lot of protein will need higher quantities of vitamin B and more P5P in particular.
Another benefit is that it helps to create antibodies that help keep your immune system strong. Normal function is brought to the brain, thanks to the creation of red blood cells. This enables better concentration and mental alertness. It also helps with mental conditions.
The consequences of low levels of pyridoxine are many. Women that have PMS and that are on HRT (hormone replacement therapy) have been found to have low pyridoxine levels. Other issues associated with this are low libido, mood swings and depression.
Herbs, vitamin B12, minerals and other essential vitamins are absorbed into the body due to the presence of iron and P5P in the body. The other important functions that these have are to assist the human body to produce vitamin B3 and to break down protein.
Foods that are beneficial for this purpose include fruits and vegetables such as bananas and avocado pears and potatoes. Nuts and seeds are great snacks, so be sure to include sunflower seeds and hazelnuts in your diet. Soybeans, lentils and fortified cereals are also good sources of pyridoxine.
Supplementing your diet with a good multivitamin is essential for good health and in terms of getting balanced vitamins and minerals. Meat is a very good source of iron and vitamin b6. The iron-rich meats are varied and include ground beef, liver, chicken, tuna, salmon and ham. Eating these in the right quantities will give you these vitamins.
Want to find out more about vitamin b6, then visit Janet Roth’s website on how you can get enough of this important antioxidant using natural sources and vitamin b6 supplements.