BACK to vitamins                  VITAMIN B6,

VITAMIN B6, or pyridoxine, helps reduce homocysteine levels.  Homocysteine is an amino acid that becomes toxic at high levels.  Homocysteine allows blood platelets to clot more easily, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke due to artery clogging.  Some studies suggest that lower homocysteine levels may reduce anxiety and depression.  In addition, vitamin B6 may have positive effects on the neurotransmitters serotonin and GABA.

Vitamin B₆ is needed for more than 100 enzymes involved in protein metabolism. It is also essential for red blood cell metabolism. The nervous and immune systems need vitamin B₆ to function efficiently and it is also needed for the conversion of tryptophan (an amino acid) to niacin, which is a vitamin). 

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.

An immune response is a broad term that describes a variety of biochemical changes that occur in an effort to fight off infections. Calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals are important to your immune defenses because they promote the growth of white blood cells that directly fight infections. Vitamin B₆, through its involvement in protein metabolism and cellular growth, is important to the immune system. It helps maintain the health of lymphoid organs (thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes) that make your white blood cells. Animal studies show that a vitamin B₆ deficiency can decrease your antibody production and suppress your immune response.

Vitamin B₆ also helps maintain your blood glucose (sugar) within a normal range. When caloric intake is low your body needs vitamin B₆ to help convert stored carbohydrate or other nutrients to glucose to maintain normal blood sugar levels. While a shortage of vitamin B₆ will limit these functions, supplements of this vitamin do not enhance them in well-nourished individuals. Vitamin B₆ is found in a wide variety of foods including fortified cereals, beans, meat, poultry, fish, and some fruits and vegetables.