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Vitamin B6

© Carol Parsons

Like all B vitamins, Vitamin B is a water-soluble vitamin. It is excreted within eight hours after ingestion and needs to be replaced by whole foods or vitamin supplements. B6 is actually a group of substances like pyridoxine, pyridoxinal, and pyridoxamine, that are closely related and function together. It is measured in milligrams. The vitamin requirement is increased wen high-protein diets are consumed. It must be present for the production of antibodies and red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is required for proper absorption. It is also required for the production of hydrochloric acid and magnesium.

Vitamin B6 is helpful in the proper assimilation of protein and fat. It helps aid in the conversion of tryptophan to niacin. It also helps to prevent various nervous and skin disorders. It alleviates nausea in sickness and for morning sickness. It helps to promote proper synthesis of antiaging nucleic acids. B6 also reduces night muscle spasms, leg cramps, hand numbness, certain formms of neuritis in the extremities. And it works as a natural diuretic.

A deficiency in Vitamin B6 can result in anemia, seborrheic dermatitis, and glossitis.

The best natural sources for B6 are Brewer's yeast, wheat bran, wheat germ, liver, kidney, heart, cantaloupe, cabbage, blackstrap, molasses, milk, eggs, and beef.

There are no known toxicity. B6 does have certain enemies such as long storage, canning, roasting, stewing, water, food-processing, alcohol and estrogen.

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