The Health Diva

• Solgar P-5-P (Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate)
• Solgar Vitamin B6 100mg
• Viridian High Six Vitamin B6 with B-Complex

Pyridoxine is a water-soluble vitamin.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is required for the synthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine and for myelin formation.

Deficiency

Pyridoxine deficiency in adults principally affects the peripheral nerves, skin, mucous membranes, and the blood cell system. In children, the central nervous system (CNS) is also affected. Deficiency can occur in people with uremia, alcoholism, cirrhosis, hyperthyroidism, malabsorption syndromes, congestive heart failure (CHF), and in those taking certain medications.

Mild deficiency of vitamin B6 is common

Sources of Vitamin B6

Major sources of vitamin B6 include: cereal grains, legumes, vegetables (carrots, spinach, peas), potatoes, milk, cheese, eggs, fish, liver, meat, and flour.

When more may be required

Anaemia

Some research suggests that vitamin B6 is necessary for prevention of anemia. Hemoglobin within red blood cells carries oxygen to tissues. Your body needs vitamin B6 to make hemoglobin. Vitamin B6 also helps increase the amount of oxygen carried by hemoglobin. A vitamin B6 deficiency can result in a form of anemia that is similar to iron deficiency anemia.

Preventing adverse effects in people taking cycloserine (Seromycin®)

Cycloserine is a prescription antibiotic that may cause anemia, peripheral neuritis, or seizures by acting as a pyridoxine antagonist or increasing excretion of pyridoxine. Requirements for pyridoxine may be increased in patients receiving cycloserine. Pyridoxine may be recommended by a healthcare provider to prevent these adverse effects.

Anorexia / bulimia

Levels of important nutrients are often low in individuals with anorexia or bulimia, with up to 20-33% of patients deficient in vitamins B2 (riboflavin) and B6 (pyridoxine). Dietary changes alone, without additional supplements, can often bring vitamin B levels back to normal. However, extra B2 and B6 may be required. Nutritional and medical guidance for such patients should be under the direction of a qualified healthcare professional.

Akathisia (movement disorder)

Some prescription drugs called neuroleptics, which are used in psychiatric conditions, may cause movement disorders as an unwanted side effect. Vitamin B6 has been studied for the treatment of acute neuroleptic-induced akathisia (NIA) in schizophrenic and schizoaffective disorder patients. Preliminary results indicate that high doses of vitamin B6 may be useful additions to the available treatments for NIA, perhaps due to its combined effects on various neurotransmitter systems. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

Asthma

Preliminary research suggests that children with severe asthma might have inadequate pyridoxine status. Theophylline, a prescription drug used to help manage asthma, seems to lower pyridoxine levels. Studies of pyridoxine supplementation in asthma patients taking theophylline yield conflicting results. Further research is needed before a strong conclusion can be drawn.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Some research suggests that pyridoxine supplementation alone or in combination with high doses of other B vitamins might help ADHD. Other studies show no benefit. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be drawn.

Cardiovascular disease / hyperhomocysteinemia

High homocysteine levels in the blood (hyperhomocysteinemia) are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, blood clotting abnormalities, myocardial infarction (heart attack), and ischemic stroke. Taking pyridoxine supplements alone or in combination with folic acid has been shown to be effective for lowering homocysteine levels. However, it is not clear if lowering homocysteine levels results in reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Until definitive data is available, the current recommendation is screening of 40 year-old men and 50 year-old women for hyperhomocysteinemia. Decreased pyridoxine concentrations are also associated with increased plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP is an indicator of inflammation that is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity in epidemiologic studies. Investigation of more renal transplant recipients undergoing longer treatment with Vitamin B6 is needed as study results conflict.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Preliminary data suggests that large doses of vitamin B6 may be helpful for carpal tunnel syndrome. Well-designed clinical trials are needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

Depression

Preliminary evidence suggests that because pyridoxine increases serotonin and GABA levels in the blood, it may benefit people in dysphoric mental states. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to confirm potential benefit.

Immune system function

Vitamin B6 is important for immune system function in older individuals. One study found that the amount of vitamin B6 required to reverse immune system impairments in elderly people was more than the current recommended dietary allowance (RDA).

Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis)

Pyridoxine alone, or taken with magnesium, may decrease urinary oxalate levels, which can contribute to a certain type of kidney stones. Higher pyridoxine intake has been associated with decreased risk of kidney stone formation in women but not in men with no history of stone formation. Benefit has not been proven in other types of kidney stones such as those associated with high urinary calcium, phosphorus, and creatinine. Further data is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

Lung cancer

Epidemiological research suggests that male smokers with higher serum levels of pyridoxine may have a lower risk of lung cancer. Well-designed clinical trails of pyridoxine supplementation are needed to confirm these results and supplementation is not standard therapy at this time.

Pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting

Studies of the use of pyridoxine alone or in combination with other anti-nausea treatments in pregnant women yield conflicting results. Further research is needed before a strong recommendation can be made.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

There is some evidence that taking pyridoxine orally may improve symptoms of PMS such as breast pain or tenderness (mastalgia) and PMS-related depression or anxiety in some patients. Further research is needed before a recommendation can be made.

Preventing vitamin B6 deficiency associated with taking birth control pills

The need for vitamin B6 supplementation in women taking birth control pills has not been proven although some studies show decreased pyridoxine levels in these women. Supplementation of B6 should be approached cautiously since the long-term effect of such therapy is uncertain.

Tardive dyskinesia

Pyridoxine has some antioxidant effects, which theoretically may benefit patients with tardive dyskinesia. Results from a small high-quality trial suggest a benefit of vitamin B6 on symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. Further research is needed before a recommendation can be made.

Dosage

The dosage underneath is the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), but be aware that this dosage is the minimum that you require per day, to ward off serious deficiency of this particular nutrient. In the therapeutic use of this nutrient, the dosage is usually increased considerably, but the toxicity level must be kept in mind.

RDA: Males (19-50 years) 1.3 milligrams; males (51 years and older) 1.7 milligrams; females (19-50 years) 1.3 milligrams; females (51 years and older) 1.5 milligrams. Some researchers think the

RDA for women 19-50 years should be increased to 1.5-1.7 milligrams per day. Pregnant women, 1.9 milligrams; and lactating women, 2 milligrams.

Recommended maximum daily intake of vitamin B6 : Adults, pregnant, and lactating women (over 18 years) 100 milligrams. A doctor and pharmacist should be consulted for dosing in other conditions.

Toxicity and symptoms of high intake

Some individuals seem to be particularly sensitive to vitamin B6 and may have problems at lower doses. Overall, pyridoxine is generally considered safe in adults and children when used appropriately at recommended doses. Avoid excessive dosing.

Too much vitamin B6 can result in nerve damage to the arms and legs. This neuropathy is usually related to high intake of vitamin B6 from supplements, and is reversible when supplementation is stopped. These imbalances do not seem to occur until supplementation exceeds 2 grams per day. According to the Institute of Medicine, “Several reports show sensory neuropathy at doses lower than 500 mg per day”

The National Academy of Sciences has set a Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for vitamin B6 of 100 milligrams for adults 19 years and older, largely based on the issue of imbalanced nervous system activity described above.

Higher doses should be taken under the supervision of a Physician, qualified nutritionist, or health care practitioner.