Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is a water-soluble vitamin necessary for many different chemical reactions in the body. It is claimed to be beneficial for a variety of different uses (although some uses are more credible than others).
The main role of pyridoxine in the body is to work as a coenzyme in numerous different chemical reactions. This means that pyridoxine helps enzymes to work properly. It is important for a wide variety of different chemical reactions, including the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.
Pyridoxine is important for the formation of hemoglobin, an important part of red blood cells. This is why low pyridoxine can lead to anemia.
Low pyridoxine can increase levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that can cause problems if it builds up to high levels. In particular, it is thought that high homocysteine may contribute to problems such as
cardiovascular disease or blood clots. Pyridoxine decreases homocysteine levels after meals (but does not really affect fasting homocysteine levels). Low levels of pyridoxine may also increase levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory molecule that may be related to
heart disease and several other medical conditions.
Pyridoxine may also have antioxidant properties. It may also decrease
kidney stone formation by decreasing the amount of oxalate (a component of some
types of kidney stones) excreted in the urine. It is also thought that pyridoxine may increase levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is why some people think it may be useful for treating
depression or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (
ADHD).
