Now B-6 100mg - 100 Caps

Vitamin B-6

Pyridoxine is a water-soluble B vitamin. There are several forms of B6 including pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine. B6 is involved in more body functions than any other single nutrient. It maintains fluid balance in the body, which can be useful for women who experience PMS bloating or individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome. B6 helps to make hemoglobin, the oxygen- carrying component of red blood cells. It is needed to synthesize genetic material and is essential for normal cellular growth.

B6 is required for the production of neurochemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, which regulates pleasurable experiences and appetite, and GABA, which calms the body. Therefore, B6 is useful for a variety of neurological disorders including autism and hormonally related depression. It plays an important role in the conversion of homocysteine into harmless substances. Homocysteine damages the inner lining of arteries and high levels of homocysteine are correlated to an increased risk of atherosclerosis. B6 can be used to treat anemia, allergies, arthritis, asthma, kidney stones, pregnancy-related nausea and MS.

All of the B vitamins work together and are best used by the body in a B complex, which is why many B complex supplements include a small dose of B6 in them. If additional supplementation of B6 is needed it should be taken in addition to a good B complex. Most B vitamins are water-soluble and any extra from large doses is flushed out of the body easily, therefore it's best to take lower dosages of the B complex several times a day than one larger dose. Spray or sublingual forms of B vitamins are easily absorbed, as are capsules - if your digestion is healthy, then the tablet form is usually suitable for most people.

Time-released formulas of B6 are available. They allow the body time to gradually absorb B6 and avoid the loss of large amounts of the supplement through the urine. Pyridoxal-5-phosphate is the activated form of B6. It can be helpful to those who have decreased ability to convert B6 into the active form.

B6 is depleted by antidepressants, estrogen, oral contraceptives and alcohol. Cortisone and diuretics block the absorption of B6. Diets high in protein require more B6 intake.

What are B Vitamins?
B vitamins are a complex of water-soluble vitamins. They are called "B Complex" because you do not find any one of them in a specific food or living tissue without the others being present. B vitamins complement each other. They are responsible mainly for the health and maintenance of nerves, eyes, digestion and skin, as well as the processing of carbohydrates, fat and protein, growth, the production of hormones and digestive enzymes, prevention of anaemia, maintenance of the sex glands, sebaceous glands and bone marrow.

Because of their solubility they cannot be stored in the body, so whatever is not utilized is rapidly excreted. However, a certain balance is advisable making a B Complex supplement ideal rather than taking large amounts of just one or two B vitamins. The B-complex vitamins are a group of similarly structured compounds, which is why they are referred to as a "Complex" vitamin. This complex of vitamins consists of B1 (thiamine HCL), B2 (riboflavin 5-phosphate and riboflavin HCL), B3 flush free (inositol hexanicotinate) and Niacinamide, B5 (D-pantothenic acid, calcium), B6 (pyridoxal 5-phosphate and pyridoxine HCL) and, B7 (biotin), B12 (cyanocobalamine), and folic acid.

Why do I Need B Vitamins?
The Nutrition Almanac states that B vitamins "may be the single most important factor for maintenance of the nerves."B vitamins are essential for healthy skin, hair, eyes, mouth and liver. Water-soluble B vitamins are not stored in the body and must be replenished daily. Natural Factors Stress B tablets are nutritional insurance to fortify your daily diet with important vitamins and coenzymes.