Vitamin B6, a mundane and affordable nutrient, is so affordable that it usually costs only a few dollars to get a bottle of vitamin B6 that is full of vitality.
Vitamin B6, from a chemical point of view, is a large family of six compounds, including PN, PM, PL, PNP, PMP, and PLP, which can be converted into each other in the human body and work together.
When it comes to the physiological function of vitamin B6, it can be said that it is omnipresent and omnipotent. It is an essential participant in the production of blood cells, and vitamin B6 helps build blood cells in the body to prevent the occurrence of anemia. At the same time, it is a powerful assistant to maintain the body's immune function, always defending the human body from external aggression.
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Is frequent insomnia associated with vitamin B6?
In a study from the University of Adelaide in Australia, published in Perceptual and Motor Skills, researchers carefully selected 100 participants and asked them to take a high dose of vitamin B6 supplements every night before bed for five consecutive days.
The results of the experiment were exciting: compared to the placebo control group, the participants who took vitamin B6 significantly improved their ability to remember dreams, allowing them to recall their dreams more clearly and vividly.
The reason why vitamin B6 can improve people's sleep quality and dream memory lies in its important role in regulating the human nervous system.
As a key nutrient, vitamin B6 supports the brain's synthesis of tryptophan and melatonin, two important neurotransmitters. Tryptophan helps stabilize mood and calm the mind, while melatonin prolongs the duration of deep sleep and helps people get more adequate and productive rest.
It is worth mentioning that when vitamin B6 is combined with magnesium, the effect is even more significant. Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant that relieves muscle tension and helps the body relax.
When vitamin B6 and magnesium work together, it can not only improve sleep quality, but also accelerate the speed at which the body enters deep sleep, so that people can get sufficient rest and recovery in a short time.
02
Vitamin B6: Brain guardian to prevent cerebral infarction
Among the many factors that predispose to cerebral infarction, hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) is of particular concern. Normally, homocysteine (Hcy) conversion and clearance are balanced with the help of coenzymes such as vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid.
However, once a deficiency of any of these coenzymes occurs, the normal metabolism of Hcy is affected, resulting in an increase in the concentration of Hcy in the blood plasma, which in turn leads to hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy).
The accumulation of HHCY not only produces a large number of oxidative free radicals, causing damage to the blood vessel wall, but also promotes vascular intimal proliferation and lipid deposition, forming plaques, and eventually developing intravascular atherosclerosis.
As the disease progresses, Hhcy can also affect coagulation function, accelerate the formation of thrombosis, and eventually lead to intracranial ischemia and induce cerebral infarction. Therefore, Hhcy is known as the "killer" of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Studies have shown that vitamin B6, as an important coenzyme factor in the metabolism of Hcy, can accelerate the metabolism of Hcy and help it be excreted from the body, thereby reducing the incidence of Hhcy.
In clinical practice, for those who have a precursor to cerebral infarction and have high Hcy levels, doctors usually recommend an appropriate amount of vitamin B6 supplementation in addition to maintaining a balanced diet. It can better protect cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health and prevent the occurrence of cerebral infarction.
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When taking vitamin B6, you need to pay attention to the following 3 points
Do not overdose
No medications, including vitamin B6, should be taken in excess. Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin, and although it is beneficial for human health, the consequences can be quite serious once consumed in excess.
Imagine what happens when the sensory nerve fiber axis is deformed by excessive vitamin B6 intake? Painful neuropathy and skin damage are just the tip of the iceberg, and more serious are nausea, headaches, and even shock. Therefore, we must always remind ourselves to take vitamin B6 in the recommended dose.
Attention should be paid to the combination of drugs
For example, vitamin B6 combined with levodopa may affect the efficacy of levodopa. Similarly, when used with erythromycin, it can also destroy the activity of erythromycin.
Therefore, if you need to take other medications while taking vitamin B6, you must consult your doctor to ensure that the interactions between the drugs do not cause harm to the body.
Special populations should take medication under the guidance of a doctor
For special groups, such as pregnant women, vitamin B6 needs to be taken with more caution. Although vitamin B6 can relieve vomiting during pregnancy, once excessive, it can easily trigger neonatal vitamin B6 dependence syndrome.
This is a defect of inborn metabolic enzymes, and the damage to infants and young children is enormous. Therefore, pregnant women must consult a doctor before taking the drug to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the drug.