Mega Dose Pyridoxine (CT–427)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Pyridoxine is involved in more bodily functions that almost any other single nutrient. It affects both physical and mental health. It is beneficial if you suffer from water retention, and is necessary for the production of hydrochloric acid and the absorption of fats and protein. Pyridoxine also aids in maintaining sodium and potassium balance, and promotes red blood cell formation. It is required by the nervous system, and is needed for normal brain function and for they synthesis of the nucleic acids RNA and DNA, which contain the genetic instructions for the reproduction of all cells and for normal cellular growth. It activates many enzymes and aids in the absorption of vitamin B12, in immune system function, and in antibody production.
Vitamin B6 plays a role in cancer immunity and aids in the prevention of arteriosclerosis. It inhibits the formation of a toxic chemical called homocysteine, which attacks the heart muscle and allows the deposition of cholesterol around the heart muscle. Pyridoxine acts as a mild diuretic, reducing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, and it may be useful in preventing oxalate kidney stones as well. It is helpful in the treatment of allergies, arthritis, and asthma.
A deficiency of vitamin B6 may be recognized by anemia, convulsions, headaches, nausea, flaky skin, a sore tongue, and vomiting. Other possible signs of deficiency include acne, anorexia, arthritis, conjunctivitis, cracks or sores on the mouth and lips, depression, dizziness, fatigue, hyperirritability, impaired wound healing, inflammation of the mouth and gums, learning difficulties, weak memory, hair loss, hearing problems, numbness, oily facial skin, stunted growth, and tingling sensations. Carpal tunnel syndrome has been linked to a deficiency of vitamin B6 as well.
Sources:
Antidepressants, synthetic estrogen therapy, and oral contraceptives may increase the need for vitamin B6. Diuretics and cortisone drugs block the absorption of this vitamin by the body.
Pyridoxine acts as a partner for more than 100 different enzymes. The efficiency with which you utilize B6 declines with age.
Functions of pyridoxine in your body:
Symptoms of pyridoxine deficiency:
Causes of pyridoxine deficiency:
All foods contain some vitamin B6; however, the following foods have the highest amounts: brewer’s yeast, carrots, chicken, eggs, fish, meat, peas, spinach, sunflower seeds, walnuts, and wheat germ. Other sources include avocado, bananas, beans, blackstrap molasses, broccoli, brown rice and other whole grains, cabbage, cantaloupe, corn, dulse, plantains, potatoes, rice bran, soybeans, and tempeh. Herbs that contain vitamin B6 include alfalfa, catnip, and oat straw.
The following are food sources of pyridoxine from most to least:
Yeast (brewer’s), sunflower seeds, wheat germ (toasted), tuna (flesh), liver (beef), soybeans (dry),liver (chicken), walnuts, salmon (fresh), liver (calf), mackerel (fresh), soybean flour, lentils (dry), lima beans (dry), buck-wheat flour, black-eyed peas (dry), navy beans (dry), brown rice, hazelnuts, garbanzos (dry), pinto beans (dry, bananas, halibut (fresh), kidneys (beef), avocados, kidneys (veal), whole-wheat flour, chestnuts (fresh), egg yolks, kale, rye flour, spinach, turnip greens, peppers (sweet), heart (beef), potatoes, prunes, raisins, sardines, Brussels sprouts, elderberries, perch (fresh), cod (fresh), barley, Camembert cheese, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, popcorn (popped), red cabbage, and leeks.
Side effects: Pyridoxine can cause a neuropathy at too high a dose (more than 500 mg. a day). If you are taking L-dopa for Parkinson’s disease you should not take B6 without the advice of your doctor.
Dosage: 30 to 500 mg.
Pyridoxine is used to treat:
Recent scientific studies indicate that the potential for pyridoxine deficiency in America has been grossly underestimated. As many as 60% of Americans may be severely deficient in the vitamin.
The widespread B6 deficiency has potentially serious consequences. That is because this vitamin controls a broad range of physiological processes. However, its most critical role relates to protein synthesis. The production of virtually all proteins within the human body, of which there are thousands, is dependent upon B6. Additionally, B6 is required for the synthesis of the genetic material – DNA and RNA – and thus, it is an essential nutrient for the reproduction of all cells. What’s more, the health of the immune system is dependent upon B6. According to Dr. Phillip L. White, former director of the A.M.A.’s Department of Food and Nutrition, vitamin B6 “is needed for the production of antibodies as part of the body’s immune response.” He also notes that it is required for the synthesis of hemoglobin. Both antibodies and hemoglobin are proteins. In addition, research by Axelrod proved that, of all B vitamins, pyridoxine is the most crucial one for enhancing immune function.
Perhaps of equal importance as its role in protein synthesis is the function of B6 in fatty acid synthesis. Without B6, fatty acid metabolism comes to a screeching halt. We can live without protein for weeks or even months (although not without some ill consequences), but a complete deficiency of essential fatty acids, which may occur in association with severe B6 deficiency, can rapidly lead to life-threatening diseases.
Vitamin B6 is an invaluable aid in the treatment of variety of illnesses. Like vitamin C, entire books have been dedicated to elaborating upon the medicinal values of B6. An example is the Doctor Who Looked at Hands, by John Ellis, M.D. He describes the close relation between B6 deficiency and heart disease. Dr. Ellis provides convincing evidence that the nerves of the heart, as well as the heart muscle itself, become damaged in the event of B6 deficiency. He also stresses the interrelation between B6 deficiency and joint disease, describing how the administration of B6, either by mouth, or preferably via injection, rapidly eliminated join pain and swelling in individuals suffering from arthritis. Further, according to Dr. Ellis, the seemingly epidemic problem of fluid retention is due largely to B6 deficiency. Millions of Americans suffer from this pervasive problem, and women are most vulnerable. Fluid can accumulate in the face, within or under the eyelids, in the fingers and hands, over the sacrum, on the top of the feet, over the abdomen, and in the lower legs. Premenstrual fluid retention is a distressing symptom and women can gain as much as eight pounds during a single menstrual cycle. Dr. Ellis describes how hundreds of his patients have been relieved of this annoying condition by taking 50 to 100 mg. of vitamin B6 daily.
The digestion and absorption of protein is dependent upon adequate supplies of vitamin B6. Additionally, this vitamin is required for the formation of a variety of highly specialized nervous system proteins called neurotransmitters. These compounds include adrenaline, noradrenaline, serotonin, GABA, and tryptophan. Other functions of vitamin B6 include RNA synthesis, hormone synthesis, antibody synthesis, and white blood cell formation.
Vitamin B6 deficiency has been associated with peripheral nerve disorders such as diabetic neuropathy, sciatica, paraesthesia, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome may well be the number one complaint in the work place today. It’s touted as being due solely to the repetitive movement of the hands and arms. While it is largely a mechanical problem, poor diet often initiates the abnormality by inducing B6 deficiency. However, giving vitamin B6 alone may not solve this problem. That is because the metabolism of B6 within nerve fibers is controlled by thyroid hormone. Therefore, defective thyroid function, despite the presence of adequate B6 levels, can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. When treated with natural thyroid medication and the appropriate nutrients, especially B6, there is improvement in the majority of cases, without surgery.
Only a small amount of B6 is stored in the body, and it is rapidly depleted by stress. Many drugs destroy it. Additionally, fluorescent light inactivates vitamin B6. Thus, much of the food in the supermarket is depleted of this vitamin by the time it is consumed. Pyridoxine is water soluble, so much of it is lost when vegetables and other foods are boiled. The following are typical examples of B6 losses in processed foods:
Of the foods rich in B6 only poultry and fish are commonly consumed in the American diet. Since B6 foods are rarely eaten in large quantities in the American diet, the deficiency is epidemic.
VITAMIN B-6 (PYRIDOXINE) TEST (each response is worth 1 point)
Which of these apply to you?
1. inability to digest protein
2. indigestion and/or heartburn
3. nausea and/or vomiting
4. acne, particularly whiteheads
5. constipation
6. chronic fatigue and/or exhaustion
7. insomnia
8. mood swings
9. fluid retention
10. nervousness and/or agitation
11. low blood pressure
12. convulsions and/or epilepsy
13. confusion
14. depression
15. seborrheic dermatitis, especially of the face or nose
16. redden tongue and/or smooth tongue
17. muscular weakness
18. oily hair
19. loss of texture and/or shine of hair
20. premature aging of facial skin
21. irritability
22. bad breath
23. swelling of the face, abdomen, and/or extremities during menses
24. dryness and/or scaling behind the ears
25. poor concentration (or attention deficit disorder in children)
26. dry patches of skin on the face and/or scaly facial skin
27. dry eyes
28. blurred vision
29. excessively dry hair
30. nighttime leg cramps
31. tooth decay
32. tendency to cry easily
33. hair loss
34. lack of dreams or dream recall
35. lips which are constantly chapped
36. enlarged facial pores
37. Are you highly sensitive to MSG?
38. Have you ever been diagnosed with protein in the urine?
39. Do you have an abnormally high cholesterol?
40. Do you have a history of kidney stone formation?
41. Does chronic depression, psychosis, schizophrenia, and/or mania run in the family?
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3 or more checks = mild pyridoxine deficiency
Your Score ______ 6 or more checks = sub-clinical pyridoxine deficiency
_______ 10 or more checks = severe pyridoxine deficiency______