Why body needs vitamin B6?

Answer 1

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) is a water-soluble vitamin, part of the B complex. Vitamin B6 plays a role in the synthesis of antibodies in the immune system. It helps maintain normal nerve function and acts in the formation of red blood cells. It is also required for the chemical reactions of proteins. The higher the protein intake, the more need for vitamin B6.

The vitamin was originally referred to as "antidermatitis factor," because skin inflammation (dermatitis) seemed to increase when foods with B6 were eliminated from the diet.

Vitamin B6 also:

• Helps in the production of neurotransmitters, the chemicals that allow brain and nerve cells to communicate with one another
• Supports a wide range of activities in your nervous system
• Ensures that metabolic processes such as fat and protein metabolism run smoothly
• Promotes proper breakdown of sugars and starches and helps maintain normal blood sugar
• Helps your body make antibodies to fight disease
• Supports immune system function in older people
• Helps your body make hemoglobin to transport oxygen in your blood
• Along with folate and vitamin B12, helps prevent homocysteine build-up in your blood

Because vitamin B6 is involved with more than 100 enzymatic reactions, its function in your body is diverse and far-reaching.

• Synthesizing essential molecules: It is difficult to find a chemical category of molecules in the body that do not depend in some way on vitamin B6 for their production. Many of the building blocks of protein, called amino acids, require adequate supplies of B6 for synthesis. Nucleic acids used in the creation of DNA in our genes also require this vitamin. Because amino acids and nucleic acids are such critical parts of new cell formation, vitamin B6 can be regarded as an essential part of the formation of virtually all new cells in the body. Heme (the protein center of our red blood cells) and phospholipids (our cell membrane components that allow messaging between cells) also depend on vitamin B6 for their creation.
• Processing carbohydrates: The processing of carbohydrates (sugar and starch) in your body depends on availability of vitamin B6. This vitamin is particularly important in facilitating the breakdown of glycogen (a special form of starch) stored in your muscle cells and to a lesser extent in your liver. Carbohydrate processing plays a key role in physical performance, especially in endurance athletic events.
• Supporting your nervous system: The role of vitamin B6 in your nervous system is very broad, and involves many aspects of neurological activity. One aspect focuses on the creation of an important group of messaging molecules called amines. Your nervous system relies on formation of these molecules for transmitting messages from one nerve to the next. (The molecules can be classified as "neurotransmitters" for this reason.) Amines are one type of neurotransmitter in your nervous system. They are often made from parts of protein called amino acids, and the key nutrient for making this process happen is vitamin B6. Some of the amine-derived neurotransmitters that require vitamin B6 for their production include serotonin, melatonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and GABA. The key role of vitamin B6 in the nervous system also results in many nerve-related symptoms when B6 is deficient. These symptoms can include convulsions and seizures in the case of severe deficiency.
• Supporting hormonal balance and detoxification: The movement of sulfur-containing molecules around your body is especially important for hormonal balance and elimination of toxic substances through your liver. Because vitamin B6 is able to remove sulfur groups from other molecules, it helps your body maintain flexibility in handling sufur-containing compounds. Vitamin B6 plays a similar role with respect to methyl-containing molecules. The term "methyl group" refers to a chemical structure that has only one carbon atom and three hydrogen atoms. Many important chemical events in your body are made possible by the transfer of methyl groups from one place to another. For example, genes in your body can be switched on and turned off in this way, and cells can use the process to send messages back and forth. Attaching methyl groups to toxic substances is one way of making them less toxic and encouraging their elimination from your body. It is also a way of ensuring that substances like homocysteine, which can build up excessively in your blood and lead to risk of cardiovascular disease, are kept within a healthy range.
• Preventing unwanted inflammation: Ample intake of vitamin B6 is associated with decreased risk of excessive inflammation, and people with chronic, excessive inflammation need increased amounts of vitamin B6 in their diets. Unless your dietary intake is sufficient to keep your blood levels of active B6 (pyridoxal-5-phosphate) optimal, you leave yourself at risk for chronic health problems like type 2 Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity, all of which share a component of chronic, unwanted inflammation.
• Supporting cellular regeneration: Because of its key role in the formation of new cells, vitamin B6 is especially important for healthy function of body tissue that regenerates itself quickly. Your skin is exactly this type of tissue, and it is one of the first to show problems when B6 is deficient. Many skin disorders have been associated with B6 deficiency, and they include eczema and seborrheic dermatitis. The critical role of vitamin B6 in the formation of red blood cells means that B6 deficiency can also result in symptoms of anemia, malaise, and fatigue. When anemia is exclusively related to B6 deficiency, it is usually classified as hypochromic, microcytic (pernicious) anemia.

Answer 2

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is required for the synthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine and for myelin formation. 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. Major sources of vitamin B6 include: cereal grains, legumes, vegetables (carrots, spinach, peas), potatoes, milk, cheese, eggs, fish, liver, meat, and flour.

Answer 3

Vitamin B6 works with other enzymes to regulate many processes in your body.

Studies have shown the benefits of vitamin B6 in relieving edema and reducing water retention, improving magnesium deficiency, peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, rheumatism, cardiovascular occlusions and myocardial infarcts, learning and developmental disorders, and autism.

Technically, vitamin B6 is an umbrella term given to three different vitamins, pyridoxine, pridoxal, and pyridoxamine. The three B6 vitamins work together with other enzymes to speed up chemical reactions in cells. Those processes include making amino acids, creating neurotransmitters like serotonin and metabolizing energy released in creating red blood cells. Vitamin B6 benefits also include helping to balance hormones and strengthen the immune system.

Answer 4

Vitamin B6 is an essential vitamin in the human body. Vitamin B6 helps the body create neurotransmitters, and is essential for the brain to develop and function normally.

Answer 5

These help build a strong immune system.

Answer 6

ENERGY