Vitamin B₆ deficiency a possible cause of anemia

Vitamin B₆ is a water soluble vitamin and forms part of the Vitamin B complex. Pyridoxal Phosphate is the active form of B₆.

According to Adelle Davis B₆ deficiency anemia which cannot be corrected by iron, is found in men women and children, and especially in women during pregnancy. Since the cause of such anemia is usually unrecognized, it sometimes persists for years and such patients, invariably loaded with iron, become very ill. When 100mg of B₆ are given, the red cells increase markedly and the hemoglobin rise markedly.

The tragedy of loading people with a B₆ deficiency with iron is that when B₆ is undersupplied, iron absorption becomes so excessive that it can damage the tissues, causing the formation of scars which readily becomes calcified.

Since B₆ and magnesium go together like salt and pepper, it is not surprising that anemia has been produced in patients with a diet lacking magnesium.

B₆ in coenzyme forms performs a wide variety of functions in the body and is extremely versatile.

B₆ aids the following functions:

• Amino Acid metabolism
• Release glucose from glycogen
• Protein metabolism
• Cognitive development
• Aids immune system
• Hemoglobin formation

B₆ can aid in the healing of the following health situations

• Cardiovascular Disease
• Cancer
• Cognitive Function
• Premenstrual Syndrome
• Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy

Sources of Vitamin B₆

Some of the common sources of B₆ include tuna, roast beef, tomato juice, trout, pork loin and peanut butter. Naturally, cereals that are fortified with vitamins are excellent sources and many provide 100 percent of the body’s need for B₆. Three raw bananas also provide a full day’s supply of the necessary B₆. A medium baked potato (including the potato skin) provides about one-third of the daily requirement.

It is uncommon to have an isolated B₆ deficiency; one usually has a deficiency of the B complex vitamins. A shortage of vitamin B₆ will also cause mal-absorption of vitamin B12. It is therefore recommended to supplement your B vitamins in a multi-vitamin or B-complex form.

Vitamin B₆ deficiency is also associated with

• skin problems
• scaling on the lips and cracks at the corners of the mouth
• swollen tongue
• depression and confusion
• PMS
• morning sickness
• weakened immune function
• anemia
• peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy the term that is used when there is long term damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system. This can be caused by a disease, trauma to the nerve, the side effects of an illness or a B₆ deficiency.

Signs and Symptoms

• Numbness
• Tremor
• Gait abnormality
• Tingling
• Pain
• Itching
• Pins and needles
• Skin can become hypersensitive
• Tiredness
• Cramps
• Muscle twitches
• Autonomic dysfunction

Treatment

There are a series of prescription drugs available that are used to treat Peripheral neuropathy but most of them are not proven to work on all people.

If peripheral neuropathy is caught early a good Vitamin B complex will help prevent the onset of more symptoms.

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