Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, helps

Allow the body to use and store energy from protein and carbohydrates in food form haemoglobin – the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body.

Pistachio Nuts (38% DV)

Pinto Beans (30% DV)

Avocado (30% DV)

Blackstrap Molasses (20% DV)

Sunflower Seeds (19% DV)

Sesame Seeds (19% DV)

Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans (15% DV)

Amaranth Grain (15%DV)

Top Health Benefits of Vitamin B6

Supports the Brain

One way vitamin B6 impacts brain function is by controlling homocysteine levels, which are not only a risk factor in heart disease, but also damage to neurons of the central nervous system too.

Vitamin B6 also plays an important role in making the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, two hormones known as “happy hormones” that help to control mood, energy and concentration. Researchers believe that certain

behavior disorders in children, including ADHD, are caused by low serotonin levels and, therefore, that consuming vitamin B6 foods might have a beneficial effect on children with a these learning and behavior disorders.

Combats Arthritis Symptoms

Low levels of vitamin B6 have been associated with increased symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, including more severe pain. Research published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition noted the anti-inflammatory benefits of vitamin B6 supplementation in arthritis patients. In the randomized study, 35 adults with rheumatoid arthritis to receive 5 milligrams per day folic acid or 5 milligrams folic acid plus 100 milligrams vitamin B6 for 12 weeks.

What the researchers found is that vitamin B6 supplementation helped treat the symptoms, concluding: “Our results provide valuable reference data for clinical practice with regard to the potential beneficial use of vitamin B6 to suppress inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis patients.”

Relieves PMS Symptoms

Consuming plenty of vitamin B6 foods or taking B complex vitamins can help prevent or treat PMS symptoms. Studies have shown that vitamin B6 helps combat breast pain, nausea, cramps, fatigue, headaches and even acne that occurs before a woman’s menstrual cycle.

It’s believed vitamin B6 helps with PMS because of its positive effects on neurotransmitters that are responsible for pain management in the brain, as well as its role in increasing blood flow and managing hormones. It’s recommended for women who experience frequent PMS symptoms to take B complex vitamins regularly, especially the 10 days before menstruating.

Improves Mood

Vitamin B6 has a significant impact on the central production of both serotonin and GABA neurotransmitters in the brain. These are important hormones that control mood and are needed to prevent depression, pain, fatigue and anxiety, so vitamin B6 has been associated with increasing mood and preventing mood disorders.

Because vitamin B6 is involved in hormone production in the brain, it’s believed to be effective in treating mood disorders and certain brain diseases that can develop as a result of deficiencies in neurotransmitter function. Research suggests that patients taking vitamin B6 supplements can help to lift their mood, experience less pain, and avoid having a lack of energy and concentration, too.

Maintains Healthy Blood Vessels

Without enough vitamin B6, homocysteine levels build up in the body and damage blood vessel linings. This can set the stage for dangerous plaque build up, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Studies have shown that when patients take vitamin B6 along with folate, total homocysteine concentrations are significantly reduced. Vitamin B6 helps treat high homocysteine levels so the body can heal the damage done to blood vessels.

Vitamin B6 also plays a role in managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which are two other important factors for preventing heart disease.

DV is (Daily Value)