Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin that has found its way into weight loss programs, well-being, and even carpal tunnel (CTS) therapy. It does have an adjunctive role in birth control pill and hormonal induced vitamin deficiency with its associated depression. The role of B6 in many other health cures is anecdotal with some arguing its benefits and cures. It does pose a risk of overdose with early signs of numbness and tingling and further possible neuropathy.
Nutritional deficits of B6 aren’t typical but may be present in alcoholism, hyperthyroidism, and malabsorption syndromes. In high doses of pyridoxine, there might be an elevated risk of cardiac events if heart disease is already present.
B6 for Weight Loss
Some diet programs incorporate B6 shots for weight loss along with B12 shots. Typically, the shots are part of a diet pill supplementation where the pill acts as an anorexic to enable extreme calorie reduction. Depending on the diet program structure, thrice-weekly shots of B6 and B12 along with calorie reduction are employed. B6 has also been part of lipotropic and HCG injection diet programs. B6 injections involve a definite sting and some residual site pain differentiating it from the other injections of diet therapy. B6 can be a monthly dose to avoid overdose side effects. The B6 does not itself cause weight loss; it plays a role in lipid, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolism
Vitamin B6 and PMS
According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (2008), pyridoxine or vitamin B6 can help depression and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms involving mood as well as the hormonal changes from birth control pills. The typical dose is 50 –100 mg the week prior to menses for PMS. B6 also helps mood and general depression because of its role in synthesizing neurotransmitters. The doses can be increased until the previous nights dreams are recalled, or up to 50 mg a day. Cautions are advised against mega doses.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Vitamin B6
B6 can be considered an adjunct to hand surgery in mild cases of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). A study described in The Lancet found both surgical and nonsurgical patients improved more or less equally when treated for mild to moderate (not severe) CTS. When using low doses of the vitamin, no harm occurs and the mild antidepressant effect of proper B6 levels may help improve the perception of pain. Those who find improvement may have a different underlying problem affecting the wrist. The concern of self-treatment is that with gradually increasing doses or storage, sensory neuropathy may occur and this may be confused with CTS worsening and thus increasing the toxic dose further still. Once some alleviation of pain is achieved the dose should be lowered or stopped.
Other Sources of Vitamin B6
B6 is also a part of a line of over-the-counter supplements called Rx Essentials that were created to improve the theoretic loss of nutrients caused by certain medications for arthritis, depression, cholesterol, and heartburn. B6 can be purchased as a pill or given by injection or intravenously.
Foods containing vitamin B6 include cereal, vegetables, liver, meat, potatoes, and eggs. Snickers candy bar and the 5 Hour Energy drinks advertise containing B vitamins for energy.
References:
Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter High-dose B vitamins and heart disease2005;21(11):211108
J Am Acad Nurse Practitioners Carpal tunnel syndrome: current theory, treatment, and the use of B62003 Jan;15(1):18:22Expert Opin Pharmacotherapy Pharmacotherapy of carpal tunnel syndrome. 2003 Jun;4(6):903-9..
Prescriber's Letter 2008; 15(2):240213
American Family Physician Oct 15,1999 accessed May 13,2010
Anon. Nutrient levels may be reduced for 135 million Americans taking prescription medications.accessed May13.2010
Wyatt KM, et al. Efficacy of vitamin B-6 in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: systematic review. BMJ May 22, 1999;318:1375-81.
Amy Andersen - Amy Andersen, MSN, ARNP, family & pediatrics certified, practices yoga and explores the inter-relationships of mind body fitness and ...
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