Want To Promote A Healthy Brain? Don’t Skip Vitamin B6

1 min

This tip is courtesy of the new, improved Weil Vitamin Advisor. Visit today for your free, personalized recommendation.

Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, is a water-soluble nutrient that helps in the production of neurotransmitters, the chemicals that allow brain and nerve cells to communicate with one another. Pyridoxine also ensures that metabolic processes such as fat and protein metabolism run smoothly, and is important for immune system function in older individuals.
It may also help address a number of conditions, including:

Nerve compression injuries (like carpal tunnel syndrome)
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Some cases of depression and arthritis

It is also part of a regimen used to treat high homocysteine levels along with folic acid and vitamin B12. Memory loss, diabetes, asthma attacks, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), kidney stones, lung cancer, acne and atherosclerosis may also be alleviated with vitamin B6 supplementation as it lowers one’s homocysteine level.

Good food sources of vitamin B6 include brewer’s yeast, whole grains, legumes, vegetables (especially carrots, spinach and peas), potatoes, milk, cheese, eggs, fish and sunflower seeds. Dr. Weil recommends taking B6 as part of a complete daily B-complex supplement that contains a full spectrum of B vitamins, including thiamine, B12, folate, riboflavin and niacin.

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