Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Vitamin B6 is water-soluble and needs to be replaced daily by whole foods or supplements. Requirement increases when high-protein diets are consumed and for those taking birth control pills. Vitamin B6 works best with vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and magnesium.

Benefits and functions:

• Strengthens the immune system
• Necessary for the synthesis and breakdown of amino acids
• Aids in fat and carbohydrate metabolism
• Aids in the formation of antibodies
• Helps maintain the central nervous system
• Works as a natural diuretic
• Promotes healthy skin
• Reduces muscle spasms, leg cramps, hand numbness, nausea and stiffness of hands
• Helps maintain a proper balance of sodium and phosphorous in the body
• Helps prevent kidney stone formation

Possible Symptoms of Deficiency:

• Nervousness
• Insomnia
• Skin eruptions
• Loss of muscular control
• Anemia
• Mouth disorders
• Arm and leg cramps
• Hair loss
• Water retention

Food Sources: brewer’s/nutritional yeast, spinach, sunflower seeds, carrots, peas, walnuts, avocado, bananas, beans, blackstrap molasses, tempeh, soybeans, dulse, broccoli and whole grains.