B6 or Pyridoxine is a powerhouse of a vitamin! According to Dr. Ellis from Mount Pleasant, TX, who studied vitamin B6 for more than 30 years, "Vitamin B6 is as important to your body as oxygen and water." Like many other B complex vitamins, Pyridoxine is very important in fat, protein, carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, and hence getting enough of it can help you to have enough energy. It also supports many aspects of nerve health, including nerve problems with those with epilepsy, carpal tunnel syndrome and psychiatric disorders.

B6 is also a major factor in helping red blood cells to regenerate, and seems to be a primary immune system stimulating factor, which has been shown in particular to help defend the body against liver cancer.

Vitamin B6 is vital in helping the body produce various neurotransmitters, and hence is important for memory. It also seems to help avoid or reduce glucose intolerance, which is when your blood sugar spikes abnormally high after eating. Dr. Ellis' research also shows that it may help reduce asthma attacks since it seems to lower the body' histamine levels. It also seems to help protect the body from artheriosclerosis because it reduces a chemical in the bloodstream that damages the walls of the arteries.

It can also help promote healthy skin, reduce acne and morning sickness. B6 inhibits histamine production, and hence may help with allergies and asthma. In addition it seems to be helpful in cases of PMS, acting as a natural diuretic.

Extra Vitamin B6 Requirements

B6 seems to be especially helpful for the elderly, and those with PMS, menopausal symptoms, and those with heart and blood sugar problems.* It also seems to be needed in higher amounts by smokers, those under a lot of stress, and those exposed to high levels of environmental chemicals (that would be most of us today!). This is one of those vitamins that we seem to need in higher levels in today's modern world, because of all the stress and pollution!

* This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Deficiency Symptoms of Pyridoxine

Depression and anxiety, as well as anemia and lethargy and have been linked to pyridoxine deficiency. Carpal tunnel syndrome and numbness and tingling in the knees, shoulders and hands can also be a sign of a deficiency of vitamin B6. Some additional symptoms include PMS, insomnia and kidney stones.

Food Sources & Supplementation of Vitamin B6

Nutritional yeast, whole grains like whole wheat and brown rice, bananas, eggs, poultry and organ meats, avocados, nuts and legumes like peanuts and walnuts. If you decide to supplement, we recommend only a food-based vitamin B complex, since taking the B vitamins separately has been shown to sometimes cause imbalances in the body that can actually have an adverse effect over the long term.

Note: An excessive intake of B6 has been noted to cause adverse symptoms such as numbness in the hands and feet and other symptoms of nerve damage. Always check with your doctor before taking high levels of B6 supplementation, and even better, in our humble non-medical opinion, don't take synthetic B6, only use natural source B supplementation.