What is Vitamin B6?

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that can be found in foods and supplements. It is also known as pyridoxine and is one of eight B vitamins that helps to support our body’s health.

What are the sources of Vitamin B6?

Vitamin B6 can be found in a vast range of foods, such as pork, poultry, some fish, milk and peanuts.

It can also be found in wheatgerm, oats, soya beans and bananas. Vitamin B6 can also be found in some fortified cereals.

How do they assist our bodies?

Vitamin B6 helps the metabolism of protein, fats and carbohydrates. It also assists with the creation of red blood cells and neurotransmitters.

Vitamin B6 also helps to produce serotonin, which regulates moods, as well as melatonin (the hormone responsible for regulating your internal clock and sleep).

Why should we supplement our nutrition with Vitamin B6 at age 50 plus?

Vitamin B6 plays a role in preventing Alzheimer’s disease by decreasing homocysteine levels and improving brain function and health. One study has shown that older adults who are deficient in Vitamin B6 had a doubled likelihood of depression, therefore it may improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.

It also helps with the haemoglobin production, helping to deliver oxygen to your cells and reducing the risk of anaemia. Vitamin B6 may help with reducing high homocysteine levels, which lead to clogged and narrowing arteries. This then helps to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Regarding menopause

Women’s moods can be affected during the menopause. Vitamin B6 can help to naturally boost moods, as well as helping to correct brain metabolism dysfunctions that cause depression.