Vitamin B6, also known as Pyridoxine, is critical to the human body. The benefits of vitamin B6 are plenty, including building DNA, regulating the nervous system, preventing anaemia and aiding blood circulation. Pyridoxine is one of the eight crucial B vitamins you must consume in appropriate amounts (too much can be harmful).
Since vitamin B6 is not produced naturally in the body, you must ensure a sufficient intake of this water-soluble nutrient through various natural food sources. Such a diet includes fortified cereals, fish like tuna, poultry, organ meats like liver, oats, nuts, starchy vegetables like potatoes and chickpeas, green leafy sources like spinach, and non-citrus fruits like bananas and papayas, among other items.
Benefits of Vitamin B6
Hare eight health benefits of vitamin B6:
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Strengthens the immune system
With its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, vitamin B6 strengthens the immune system, safeguarding you from regular infections.
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Enhances brain health and development
One of the most significant benefits of vitamin B6 is its role in creating neurotransmitters. These carry signals between nerve cells, glands, and muscles, enabling various parts of the body to interact with each other and function better. Vitamins like B6 and B12 can also prevent seizures and the decline of brain function.
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Improves the mood and tackles depression
Some of the neurotransmitters that vitamin B6 produces include serotonin and dopamine, which effectively enhance mood, foster better sleep and check the mood swings of premenstrual syndrome.
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Boosts haemoglobin production
Since vitamin B6 helps produce haemoglobin and red blood cells, it is vital in enhancing your blood’s ability to carry oxygen.
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Improves blood circulation and lowers heart disease risk
Vitamin B6 boosts cardiovascular health and efficient blood circulation. It can regulate the amount of homocysteine in your blood – an amino acid responsible for clotting and even clogging of arteries. Individuals with vitamin B6 deficiency may develop heart disease.
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Helps fight nausea during pregnancy
One of the underrated advantages of vitamin B6 lies in its ability to prevent or ease nausea as well as morning sickness in pregnant women. It is, therefore, found in many pregnancy supplements and must be consumed as per recommended dosage.
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Reduces the risk of cancer
Could vitamin B6 also help you prevent or fight against cancer? The answer is yes, thanks to the vitamin’s ability to grow healthy cells. Vitamin B6 also produces amino acids, which repair damaged DNA and reduce oxidative stress linked to cancer.
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Enables healthy skin
Since vitamin B6 stimulates calming, feel-good hormones like serotonin and melatonin, along with regulating blood sugar levels, these factors, in turn, lead to healthy skin. Acne breakouts, for instance, are a sign of chronic stress, and Pyridoxine protects you from its ill effects. Pyridoxine is also recommended to cure lesions and rashes on the skin.
Conclusion
vitamin B6 plays a transformative role in the body. Its key health benefits cover basic bodily processes, including neurotransmission, haemoglobin production and converting food into energy.
While medical experts recommend measured levels of vitamin B6 intake, sometimes the body does not absorb it. This is owing to weaknesses, including possible underlying autoimmune conditions or lifestyle issues like alcoholism. Apart from such physical limitations, it might even be difficult to keep all our vitamin intake on track, which can result in unexpected illness or hospitalisation in the long run. It's advisable to get regular checkups done and speak to your medical professional regarding nutrient deficiencies. For medical emergencies though, especially those causing financial strain, having a trusted mediclaim policy well in advance is a useful option to fall back on.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.