The health benefits of vitamin B6 or pyridoxamine include positive effects on skin conditions, immune system, co-enzymatic activities, improvement in metabolism, and premenstrual syndrome. It aids in hormone control, emotional disorders, cardiac diseases, kidney disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, anemia, arthritis, and influenza.
Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxamine, plays an essential role in human life. If you are becoming ill in any way, the inclusion of this nutrient in your diet is of great significance. This water-soluble vitamin is helpful against a vast number of problems related to the heart and skin, as well as depression, fatigue, the nervous system, and much more.
Vitamin B6 Deficiency Symptoms
The deficiency symptoms of vitamin B6 are seen in the form of fatigue, loss of appetite, an emergence of dry skin, hair loss, the appearance of cracks around the lips, insomnia, and swelling of the mouth and tongue. Apart from all these, one may also experience a reduction in walking coordination, anemia, irritability, mental confusion, and weakness in different body parts.
Important Sources of Vitamin B6
The availability of vitamin B6 is highest in foods like whole grains, cereals, green beans, walnuts, and wheat germ. Also, one can include fish, eggs, meat, liver, and other types of meat to ensure a fair quantity of this vitamin. Other good sources of pyridoxamine are bananas, cauliflower, cabbage, soya beans, carrots, and spinach.
Health Benefits of Vitamin B6
You can depend upon pyridoxamine for most functions of maintaining good health. Here is the list of benefits that one may access through this vitamin. [1]
Co-enzymatic Activities
Vitamin B6 is functional in working with a number of enzymatic systems in the human body to make them work in the desired manner. This close association between pyridoxamine and enzymes helps to add significance to the proper functioning of the nervous system, in building up immunity, and in relieving problems like arthritis. [2]
Strengthens Immune System
Vitamin B6 plays an important role in refurbishing the immune system of the human body to the required functional level, according to Oregon State University. This helps the body to withstand a number of infections, which can easily victimize the body in the absence of this important vitamin. [3]
Boosts Metabolism
Vitamin B6 is admired for its capability of metabolizing a number of nutrients to extract energy. Hence, one may look upon this vitamin for the metabolism of fats, vitamins, carbohydrates and other important components like amino acids.
Treats Premenstrual Syndrome
Vitamin B6 has a significant role to play in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome. According to Michigan Medicine, 100 to 200 mg per day of vitamin B6 on a regular basis can help treat premenstrual syndrome. Pyridoxine is decreased in supply during this period, thus leading to mood swings, loss of sex drive, and other problems. In this situation, the intake of a diet rich in pyridoxamine is the most effective solution. [4]
Aids Hormone Control
The deficiency of this vitamin may affect the formation of hormones and unbalances the level of these hormones, which ultimately leads to emotional disturbance. Thus, the intake of pyridoxamine is necessary to control these hormones and treat emotional disorders. [5]
Boosts Cognitive Function
It also helps in cognitive development. Dr. Tomás Guilarte of Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, in his study shows the important role of vitamin B6 in learning and memory. Another study has also shown a link between vitamin B6 and autism. [6]
Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Balances Hormones
Vitamin B6 is helpful in maintaining the level of hormones in the human body, which helps to control a number of activities and metabolic occurrences in the human body.
Skin Care
One of the most significant benefits of vitamin B6 is that it helps in maintaining a good condition of the skin. It helps against a number of skin problems, including eczema, dandruff, acne, hair loss, and dry skin. It also helps against skin conditions like melanoma and psoriasis.
Prevents Cardiac Diseases
Vitamin B6 helps in controlling the level of fat deposited in and around the human heart and thus, protects against a number of cardiac diseases. Apart from this, it also helps to restrict stone formation in the kidneys, hence keeping this critical organ of the human body in good shape. [8]
Other Benefits
Apart from those mentioned above, vitamin B6 is also helpful in treating other problems like carpal tunnel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, anemia, arthritis, and influenza. It also helps with problems like nausea, infertility, as some issues occurring during pregnancy.
