Most people have no idea how important B vitamins are for mental health. The entire family of B vitamins work synergistically together, but each has their own special function.
One of my favorites and commonly overlooked?
✨ Vitamin B6 ✨
Our bodies cannot make vitamin B6, so we need to get it from foods. It is water-soluble, meaning that we don’t store it and need to consume it regularly.
Here are 5 health benefits of vitamin B6:
1️⃣ Mood Support
Vitamin B6 is a cofactor for enzymes needed to make neurotransmitters in the brain that affect mood—including serotonin, dopamine, and GABA.
2️⃣ Healthy Periods
Vitamin B6 plays a role in estrogen metabolism and has been shown to reduce some common issues related to PMS—like irritability and anxiousness.
3️⃣ Morning Sickness
Possibly because of its role in estrogen metabolism, vitamin B6 can be helpful for women struggling with nausea during pregnancy.
4️⃣ Sleep Support
Vitamin B6 is essential for the production of serotonin, which then converts into melatonin to support sleep.
5️⃣ Brain & Heart Health
Vitamin B6 is one of three key vitamins (along with B12 and folate) that influence homocysteine metabolism. Keeping homocysteine levels in check plays a role in maintaining brain health and cardiovascular health with age.
Usually vitamin B6 is taken in combination with other B vitamins, but there are times when supplementing it alone is best. Vitamin B6 also works synergistically with magnesium for many body processes (so they are great to take together!).
🩺 Please talk with us or another qualified healthcare provider to figure out a supplement plan that will work for you.