Vitamin B6 Deficiency Is Linked To Chronic Inflammation

Vitamin B complex and vitamin B6 are very important nutrients essential for our health. These vitamins take part in many principal chemical processes in the body: they closely interact with over 60 enzymes, assist in speeding up metabolism, cell production, tissue rejuvenation, production high quality red blood cells, and a great deal of other processes. Vitamin B6 is essential for proper brain health, maintaining a proper nerve system function, as well as for protein digestion and breaking down. Since our body can not produce vitamin B6, it is necessary to add natural food sources of this vitamin (including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, bell peppers, spinach, turnip greens, mushrooms, green beans, tomatoes, kale, potato, winter squash, tuna fish, cod, salmon, turkey, mustard greens, and others) to our daily diet.

Vitamin B6 deficiency is linked to several health conditions including anemia, irritability, depression, morning sickness, carpel tunnel syndrome, and others. According to the findings of a recent study, published this summer in the Journal of Nutrition, decreased levels of vitamin B6 are behind many cases of chronic inflammation. As the study of  an expert group at Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center, and Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, has shown that there are clear associations between vitamin B6 deficiency and chronic inflammation, linked to such diseases as rheumatoid arthritis and others, as well as associated with increased risks of health problems like type 2 diabetes, a stroke, heart disease, and so on.

During the research involving 2,230 adult participants (data was collected during the Framingham Offspring study), the scientists analyzed 13 various indicators of chronic inflammation, including other vitamin B6 complex like niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, vitamin B12 and others. It turned out that those of the participants who had the highest inflammation marks had the lowest vitamin B6 blood levels (among all 13 indicators). Though some previous studies have found certain links between vitamin B6 deficiency and signs of chronic inflammation like CRP (C-reactive protein), this study is considered the first serious and large scale scientific work proving the effects of low concentrations of vitamin B6 in blood with chronic inflammation.

Moreover, Boston expert group reported about the reverse correlation, and those of the participants who had relatively high levels of vitamin B6 in blood also enjoyed the lowest risks of inflammation. According to  Lydia Sakakeeny, PhD, one of the authors of the study and a specialist at Tufts University, these findings play a role for explaining the processes that take place in our body when chronic inflammation is developing in it.  However, she underlined that further studies are necessary to figure out, whether taking vitamin B6 supplements can assist in decreasing the risks of chronic inflammation. “The next step is determining the mechanism of the relationship between B6 and inflammation. From there, it then may lead to new treatments or dietary recommendations,” she commented regarding the future plans of her scientific team.

Other experts also warn against taking too much of vitamin B6 as an approach to reducing the risks of chronic inflammation. The best way to provide your body with this important nutrient and prevent vitamin B6 deficiency is a regular use of the above mentioned food sources of this vitamin. Joan Salge Blake, a famous nutritionist and a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, says that too much of vitamin B6 is linked to as serious problem, as the deficiency does. In particular, the most common side effects of vitamin B6 overdose embrace nerve damage, tingling, inability to walk, and others. A well-balanced diet is recommended as a perfect solution for preventing most of health problems, including chronic inflammation. Read more about the findings of the interesting study about the links between vitamin B6 deficiency and chronic inflammation in this report.

Author Info: Hi! My name is Carla and I am a 5th year medical student at HYMS. I am interested in alternative medicine and I have done months researching the topic of herbal medicine. Besides, I like interviewing people and learning more about their experiences with one or another type of herbal treatments. I am willing to contribute to this site with my knowledge, and I would be happy to help you out to the best of my ability with any specific questions or problems related to alternative medicine.

Comments are closed.