What is it:
Vitamin B-6, otherwise known as pyridoxine, performs as a coenzyme to carry out metabolic processes that affect the body’s use of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. It helps to convert tryptophan to niacin.
What does it do:
Promotes healthy cardiovascular, nervous, and immune systems
Supports healthy skin, hair, and normal red-blood-cell formation
Assists in production of food energy
Possible anemia treatment
Functions as a tranquilizer
Important for Healthy nerve and muscle functioning
Blood cholesterol may decrease
Inflammation of arthritis and carpal-tunnel syndrome may be reduced
Reduction of PMS symptoms
May reduce asthma symptoms
Increases levels of serotonin to ease sleep
Symptoms of deficiency:
Symptoms include weakness, mental confusion, irritability, nervousness, inability to sleep, hyperactivity, anemia, skin lesions, tongue discoloration, and kidney stones.
Overdose/Cautions:
Sustained periods of large doses may cause irreversible nerve damage. The excess of vitamin B-6 may also lead to kidney stone formation.
Natural food sources:
Avocados,
Bananas,
Beef liver,
Chicken,
Fortified cereals,
Ground beef,
Ham,
Hazelnuts,
Lentils,
Potatoes,
Salmon,
Prawns,
Soybeans,
Sunflower seeds,
Tuna,
Wheat germ