    |
"Vitamin B6 - It May Minimize Your Risk Of Developing Heart Disease And Cancer!"
As it is water-soluble, the body uses it very quickly, with excess amounts excreted through the urine. It is one of 13 essential vitamins the body needs to function normally. Given its water-soluble nature, it is not retained in the body and must be replenished daily. It is involved in numerous metabolic functions in the human body. Google News reports on a news item from Men's Health magazine stating vitamin water is the worst "Healthy" drink. Although you may think it's the ultimate in nutritious beverages, don't be fooled. what the label fails to tell you is these drinks contain as much sugar and calories as a can of Coke. It plays an important role in the maintenance of normal nervous and immune systems. Vitamin B6 helps the immune system to produce antibodies. Antibodies are utilized by the human body to help combat diseases. It is also used to process and metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Hemoglobin is an important component of red blood cells, as it helps to carry oxygen to tissues. This vitamin is needed by the body to make hemoglobin. It also helps to increase the amount of oxygen that hemoglobin can carry. Cardiovascular Benefits It may also have other heart health benefits as well.
Cysteine, a sulfur-bearing amino acid is a critical nutrient necessary for controlling high blood pressure. In human and animal studies, this vitamin was found to increase levels of cysteine. High blood pressure is commonly caused by an influx of calcium into cells. Medicines known as calcium blockers are commonly used to treat this condition. In laboratory rats, Vitamin B6 also blocks cellular absorption of calcium thus preventing the hypertensive response. It may also control high blood pressure caused by long-term alcohol consumption. It helps to fight the development of Heart disease by inhibiting the production of a chemical called homocysteine. Although research is not conclusive in this area, it is thought homocysteine has a connection to Heart disease. Homocysteine levels in the blood are higher in individuals that have had a Heart attack than those that have not. Autistic Children There are been a number of studies that indicate it may be a useful treatment for autistic children. Research began in the 1960s on Vitamin B6 and its effect on autistic children. In 1968, one German researcher found twelve of sixteen autistic children demonstrated considerable improvements in their behavior when given 100 to 600 mg. daily of this vitamin. In another study, 200 autistic children were given large doses of vitamins C, Niacinamide, Pantothenic acid, B6, and a multiple-vitamin tablet for a period of four months. At the end of this study, B6 was found to be the most important of all the vitamins that were used. Between 38 and 40 percent of these children saw an improvement in their condition when this vitamin was given to them. Cancer It may also prove useful in minimizing the risk of developing certain types of Cancers such as Colorectal Cancer. For this study, researchers analyzed blood samples from more than 32,000 women participating in the Nurses' Health Study. The researchers analyzed these samples to see what level of B6 was present in the blood. From 1989 to 2000, 194 Colorectal Cancer cases and 410 Colorectal Adenoma cases were recorded. At the end of this period, the researchers observed those women with the highest levels of Vitamin B6 had a lower incidence of Colorectal Cancer then those with lower levels. It was found that the risk of developing Colorectal Cancer was inversely associated with the amount of B6 that was consumed by these women. Diabetes Preliminary research has indicated that it may be useful in controlling blood sugar in those that are Diabetic. In one study, diabetics who were given pyridoxine alpha-ketoglutarate (a form of Vitamin B6) had lower levels of fasting blood sugar then those that did not receive the vitamin. More research in this area needs to be done before any conclusions concerning the connection of B6 to Diabetes can be made. Good food sources of this vitamin are: potatoes, tuna, bananas, turkey, liver, and Raisin Bran. Dosage Women need 1.6 milligrams daily Men need 2 milligrams daily A deficiency of this vitamin is rare, as it is present in so many foods. However, it can occur from consumption of overly processed foods that are deficient in this vitamin. Contraindications Pregnant women or those that are breast-feeding should not take more than 100 milligrams of this vitamin. Those individuals hypersensitive to this vitamin should not take it. It should be used cautiously by those individuals taking: Phenytoin, Phenobarbital, and Levodopa as it reduces serum concentrations of these medicines. Those individuals taking doses higher then 200 milligrams for extended periods may experience sensory loss in the hands and feet, which may lead to permanent nerve damage. Subscribe to the Home Remedies Blog by clicking on this link:  Return from Vitamin B6 to Home Page
|
Vitamin B6, or Pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin that is a member of the 'B' complex vitamin group.
Studies have shown it is a valuable treatment for 
