Vitamin B6 is vitally important for health.  It is called the hardest working nutrient in the human body because it is used to operate hundreds of different functions every day.  It works primarily as a coenzyme, which allows other enzymes to complete their jobs, particularly in the area of protein metabolism.  Studies are showing B6 deficiencies are widespread.  Why?  Food processing depletes B6, particularly in regards to grains.  Up to 90% of B6 can be lost in the milling of wheat.  Oral contraceptives also obliterate B6 from the body.  It is ridiculous B6 isn’t recommended to women using these drugs.  People with liver function issues are also at risk.  B6 needs to be converted into its active form, pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P) to be utilized by the body.

There is an amino acid (homocysteine) formed in the body from the amino acid methionine, which is found in dietary proteins.  It can be damaging to arteries if levels get too high.  To eliminate it, the body must convert it (to cystathionine) and that requires B6 or the conversion won’t happen.  As this potentially harmful substance builds up (in the absence of B6), it forms a reactive compound that also aggregates LDL cholesterol, causing free radical damage to the artery wall, with resultant plaquing.

This explains why populations that consume adequate protein foods along with highly processed, refined and preserved foods are more susceptible to arteriosclerosis.

The B6 theory of heart disease explains a lot that the cholesterol theory does not.  There has never been a clear connection between total cholesterol and heart disease.  Because there was such emphasis being put on making cholesterol the “terrorist” at the time, and developing a new market for no cholesterol foods (highly processed and many were also high in sugar and hydrogenated fats), this theory was suppressed.   It was a deterrent to that errant objective by people with questionable motives.  By the way, since the cholesterol paradigm has reigned supreme, not only has cardiovascular disease not gone down (in fact, congestive heart failure is epidemic), but obesity and diabetes have skyrocketed.

The active form of B6, pyridoxal 5-phosphate, is available as a supplement to ensure utilization of this most important vitamin.  Contact my office for more information. 916.962.3101