The Many Benefits of Vitamin B6
The family of B vitamins plays an important role in maintaining your health by boosting metabolism, brain function, and overall energy levels.
Most people are familiar with B12 to maintain bone health and prevent anemia and B9 to help ensure a healthy pregnancy, but B6 isn’t as well known. Even so, it does bring with it some important health benefits.
Centers Health Care has a look at five benefits (both physical and mental) of vitamin B6.
- Immune System Boost
Vitamin B6 has been found to help chemical reactions in the immune system, thus making it work more efficiently. Studies have found that it gives a more pronounced boost to older adults.
- Better Circulation
Vitamin B6 helps regulate the amino acid homocysteine. High levels of this in the bloodstream has been known to lead to heart problems.
- Mood Booster
Vitamin B6 helps the body produce the hormone serotonin, which naturally elevates your mood. On the opposite end of the spectrum, research suggests that a vitamin B6 deficiency can lead to symptoms of depression.
- Lower Overall Cancer Risk
It’s believed that having healthy levels of vitamin B6 in the bloodstream can reduce the overall risk of cancerous growths. In people who have cancer, B6 may actually help slow the growth of tumors.
- Brain Boost
In addition to potential heart problems related to high levels of homocysteine as mentioned above, elevated levels of the amino acid are also linked to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia along with general cognitive decline.
As a final note, check with your doctor before taking B6 supplements. You shouldn’t take more than 100 milligrams per day, as taking too much can lead to gastrointestinal issues, numbness, sun sensitivity, a lack of muscle control or coordination, and trouble sensing pain or extremely hot or cold temperatures.
