What is vitamin B6?

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is a water-soluble vitamin and is important for the formation of various messenger substances, including serotonin, dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). These are crucial for our mood, biorhythm and behavior. Vitamin B6 is also essential for detoxification in the liver, for brain metabolism, blood formation and the regulation of homocysteine levels. Vitamin B6 is also involved in the activation of genes.

Vitamin B6 works closely with folic acid, vitamin B2 and B12 to regulate homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is an amino acid which, in high concentrations in the blood, can form deposits in the blood vessels and increase the cardiovascular risk.

A vitamin B6 deficiency can lead to anemia, skin diseases and neurological disorders.

Examples of foods rich in vitamin B6:

Good to know

In histamine intolerance, there is often a deficiency of the enzyme diaminooxidase (DAO), which breaks down histamine in the small intestine. If too much histamine is consumed through food, it can lead to itching, redness, migraines, nausea etc...... A particularly high level of histamine is found in long-ripened, fermented foods such as sauerkraut, cheese and red wine. The enzyme diaminooxidase benefits from an extra portion of vitamin B6 and copper, which act as cofactors. In this way, the breakdown can be stimulated and the symptoms improved.

What does genetics have to do with it?