B6 Pyridoxine HCL 250mg with 50mgC

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is necessary for protein metabolism, energy production and normal nervous system function. Vitamin B-6 is involved in nearly 60 enzyme systems in the body. It is necessary for normal growth, red blood cell synthesis and vitamin B-12 absorption.

Vitamin B-6 has often been called 'the woman's vitamin' because it is so helpful for premenstrual syndrome, and may help the depression associated with the use of oral contraceptives. Vitamin B-6 may also help prevent certain complications of pregnancy including nausea and vomiting, gestational diabetes, intrauterine growth retardation, and toxemia.

Research has shown that vitamin B-6 (usually in doses of 50 to 200 mg/day) can prevent or relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and may be helpful for asthma. Vitamin B-6 supplementation, in conjunction with folic acid and vitamin B-12, can lower homocysteine levels, thus reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease. By inhibiting the production of oxalate, vitamin B-6 may prevent calcium oxalate kidney stone recurrence.

Persons at risk for vitamin B-6 deficiency: anyone with a malabsorption problem (such as lactose intolerance or celiac disease; diabetics; elderly; women who are pregnant, nursing or taking oral contraceptives.

Vitamin C has been included since it works well with all other B vitamins.

Incidents of vitamin B-6 toxicity are very rare. Although there are isolated reports of nervous system problems with smaller doses, most of the problems appear when persons take 2000 to 6000 mg per day. However, some health professionals have criticized these studies, claiming they were flawed. They note these people were not taking magnesium, the other B vitamins or other nutrients that should be taken if one takes large amounts of vitamin B-6. Such symptoms are also quite common, and can be caused by even minor metabolic disturbances such as reactive hypoglycemia, food allergies or magnesium deficiency, all of which affects most women with PMS. These effects, such as numbness and tingling in the hands or feet, or unsteady gait, are reversed when dosage is reduced and there is usually no permanent damage. However, anyone taking high doses of vitamin B-6 for therapeutic reasons should do so under the supervision of a trained health professional.