Biotics Research B6 Phosphate 100 caps

Biotics Research's B6 Phosphate contains a biologically active form of vitamin B6, combined with superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, important antioxidant enzymes. Vitamins B6 is important for proper immune function, metabolism, and cardiovascular health (necessary for healthy homocysteine levels). Vitamin B6 status can be impacted by a wide range of pharmaceutical compounds.

Vitamin B6 performs a wide variety of functions in the body and is essential for good health. Low levels of vitamin B6 have been associated with paresthesia in the extremities, repetitive stress injuries, joint pain, joint nodules, sensitivity to bright light, irregular hair loss, acne [skin eruptions], appetite loss, apthous ulcers, fatigue, poor wound healing, elevated C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and mood alterations. Vitamin B6 must be acquired through diet or supplementation, since humans are incapable of synthesizing it on their own. While B6 is plentiful in numerous types of foods, it is very sensitive to processing. Freezing can result in a 15%-70% loss in fruits and vegetables, processing meats lose 50%-70%, and milling grains results in a 50%-90% loss. Additionally, the consumption of several medications, including oral contraceptives, antidepressants, antibiotics, diuretics, and some corticosteroids deplete the body’s reserves of vitamin B6. Alcohol and smoking are also known to exacerbate depletion.

In order to be utilized by the body, vitamins must first be converted into their active coenzyme forms. The coenzymatic form of vitamin B6 is Pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P5P). It has been estimated that P5P may be five times more bioavailable than traditional pyridoxine (B6) as it does not require activation by the liver. Furthering the importance of vitamin B6 assimilation, it is interesting to note that P5P is the only form of vitamin B6 that the fetus and newborn can utilize. Vitamin B6 is an indispensable vitamin for a wide variety of metabolic processes. As the coenzyme needed for over 100 essential enzymes, vitamin B6 is involved in the conversion of amino acids, fatty acid metabolism, neurotransmitter production, prostaglandin metabolism, hemoglobin production, carbohydrate metabolism, protein metabolism, blood glucose regulation, and immune function.