PYRIDOXINE (also known as vitamin B6)

Pyridoxine, also known as vitamin B6, is one of the eight B vitamins. Pyridoxine cannot be manufactured by humans and is thus a true vitamin, obtained exclusively from the diet.

The active form of pyridoxine, pyridoxal 5-phosphate (PLP), serves as an enzyme cofactor in over 100 enzyme reactions in carbohydrate, lipid, and amino acid metabolism*. Of importance in CalmNeeds®, PLP is the cofactor for the enzyme glutamate decarboxylase, which converts glutamate (the main excitatory neurotransmitter) into GABA (the main inhibitory neurotransmitter)*. Additionally, PLP is the cofactor for the enzyme aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase, which converts 5-HTP to serotonin.* Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter in the nervous system, including in the brain and gut, with important inhibitory roles. PLP is also involved in myelin and hemoglobin synthesis, and gene expression.*

Deficiency is generally found in individuals with highly-restricted diets and/or substantial gastrointestinal conditions.* Symptoms can include poor sleep, irritability, and a nervous state.*

Pyridoxine is sometimes recommended for nervous mood, irritability, poor sleep, and over-activity*. It is also used for dizziness and motion sickness.*

Most supplements contain inactivated pyridoxine, but some sources suggest that the activated (pyridoxal-5-phosphate, abbreviated as PLP) form is better.* Studies are few, and the answer is not clear. Inactivated pyridoxine is present in CalmNeeds®, but both activated (PLP) and inactivated pyridoxine are present in NeuroNeeds’ products SpectrumNeeds® and EnergyNeeds®.

Pyridoxine is a water-soluble vitamin and thus considered to be generally non-toxic. Side effects are rare at usual doses used in supplementation.

Laboratory testing can reveal the presence of a deficiency of this nutrient, but is generally not likely to have clinical utility.

Pyridoxine is added to CalmNeeds® as PLP is the cofactor for the enzymes that synthesize GABA and serotonin*, both of which are neurotransmitters with key inhibitory roles, as well as its use in mitigating over-excitable states such as nervous mood, poor sleep, irritability, and the relief of stress*.