Forms and Medication Uses of Vitamin B6
What we actually know about vitamin B6 originates from several researches undertaken in the 30’s. This vitamin plays a preventive role and can be used for therapeutic purposes.Vitamin B6 is part of the vitamin B complex group, and a water-soluble vitamin discovered in 1934 by a physician called Paul György. He noticed that the substance could cure a skin disease in rats, and further scientists noticed that the vitamin could be isolated from rice bran. The most common active form of vitamin B6 is the pyridoxal phosphate, or PLP. But several other forms exists, namely Pyridoxine, usually used as a vitamin B6 supplement; 4-Pyridoxic acid, a catabolite excreted through urine; and Pyridoxal (PL).
Forms and Medication Uses of Vitamin B6
All forms of vitamin B6 are distributed in free and bonus forms through food. We can find them in vegetables, bananas, and grains. However, cooking can lead to the losses of more than 50% of the amount of vitamin B6 found in those foods. Milk for example loses at least 65% of its vitamin B6 when dried. Moreover, people may lose most of the vitamin B6 ingested through urine. Some studies estimate that the 4-pyridoxic acid, which is the form excreted can represent 50% of the vitamin B6 ingested.
Vitamin B6 is used to treat many diseases, both in conjunction with other medications and alone. Vitamin B6 is given with doxylamine in the early stages of pregnancy to treat nausea and vomiting. Several Netherlands studies indicate that a vitamin B6 diet could diminish the risks of Parkinson’s disease, especially for smokers. In addition, Pyridoxine known as another common form of vitamin B6 prevents heart disease by lowering blood pressure levels, thereby diminishing the risks of a heart attack. Last but not the least, vitamin B6 could help to recall dreams.
