Vitamin B6 - Pyridoxine
What Is It?
One of the busiest of all the B vitamins, water soluble and is excreted within 8 hours after digestion. It is an antioxidant vitamin involved with more than 60 enzymes taking part in many metabolic functions. It is easily destroyed by heat and can leach into water when cooking. B6 is not toxic to the body when taken from food.
B6 is also destroyed by alcohol, smoking and oral contraceptives.
Why Do We Need It?
It plays a role in the creation of antibodies in the immune system, helps maintain normal nerve function and formation of red blood cells. It is essential for protein digestion and utilisation, cancer immunity, and is involved in brain chemistry promoting the production of neurotransmitters such as Serotonin.
It is also found in controlling occurrences of epileptic seizures. It is involved in hormone production and helps balance sex hormones, so useful in PMS and the menopause. It promotes healthy pregnancies and can help prevent morning sickness. It promotes muscle energy, lowers cholesterol and prevents atherosclerosis. It inhibits the release of histamines so is beneficial to asthmatics and allergy sufferers.
Together with magnesium it inhibits the formation of oxalic acid salts thus helping to prevent kidney stones. It is a natural anti-depressant and diuretic. It is also required for the absorption of B12
Deficiency Symptoms
Deficiency symptoms include Infrequent dream recall, water retention, nail ridges, tongue inflammations, convulsions in children, hypoglycemia, dermatitis, diabetes, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, high cholesterol, kidney stones, asthma, tingling hands, depression or nervousness, confusion, irritability, muscle tremors or cramps, lack of energy, flaky skin, arthritis, allergies, asthma, anaemia, deficiency common in the elderly.
Where Can We Find It?
Natural sources: apple, asparagus, avocado, bananas, bell peppers, blueberries, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cantaloupe, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, collard greens, eggplant, filberts, garlic, grapes, green beans, green peppers, guava, gooseberries, kale, lettuce, mango, nectarine, orange, passion fruit, pear, peas, pineapple, pomegranate, pumpkin seeds, onions, spinach, spirulina, strawberries, squash, sunflower seeds, sweet potato, swiss chard, tomato, watercress, walnuts, and watermelon.
Herbs:- alfalfa, cayenne
Be Aware...
Pregnant women taking supplements should always check with their doctor before taking supplements. You cannot take to much when obtained from food but be aware supple-mentation of doses as low as 200mg daily over a long period could cause a sensory neuropathy.
If taking medication for Parkinsons like Levopoda, supplementing with B6 may prevent the medication from working. Alcohol and the contraceptive pill are among its greatest antag-onists.
Studies/Research
Clinical research has found that a deficiency of B6 may decrease gastrointestinal absorption.
Deficiency of B6 may cause zinc to be less available for metabolic processes.
Clinical studies have shown supplementation to be beneficial in acne rosacea, MSG sensitivity, anaemia, carpal tunnel syndrome, infertility, absorption may be impaired in celiac disease, diabetics may be deficient, deficiencies of B6 can have profound effects on the immune system, multiple sclerosis, parkinson disease.
Alcohol and some drugs like isonicotinic acid hydride used to treat tuberculosis deplete the body of B6
Please Note
Vitamins are an essential part of maintaining a fully functional, healthy body - they assist in the growth and development of the body. In combination with all the other essential nutrients they play a part in many roles including metabolism, immunity and digestion. The best and natural way to meet your vitamin needs is to eat a balanced diet containing a variety of raw fruits and vegetables. If you can't meet your needs through food alone, then, and only then you may require dietary supplements. If you feel you need help via alternative methods you must seek guidance from your doctor, nutritionist or natural juice therapist before taking supplements.
References
Nutritional Influences on Illness - Melvyn R Werbach M.D.
Readers Digest Guide to Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements
The Healing Nutrients Within - Eric R. Braverman
Vitamins and Minerals Demystified - Dr Steve Blake
Nutritional Healing - Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
Disclaimer
Please be aware that we are not Doctors, so it is important BEFORE making any changes that you consult with your GP or Medical Practitioner. The suggestions above are not meant as an alternative to any current medical treatment so please DO NOT stop taking any medications you are on. They are also not an endorsement of their effectiveness, nor a recommendation that they should be followed but instead, provided for informational purposes. None of the information on the Natural Juice Therapy site is intended or implied to treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease.