The B-vitamin family packs a powerful health punch; together, the suite of eight vitamins ensure that our bodies work properly and are responsible for the health of our skin, vision, and hair. B6, also known by its scientific name pyridoxine, is one of those eight vitamins that are critical to many of the body’s most important functions–such as breaking down food, supporting immune response, and ensuring the brain and nervous systems work properly. [1] B6 is also the vitamin responsible for your brain’s creation of melatonin, which regulates sleep–something most of us intimately know is a critical functionality for maintaining any kind of wellness or mental fortitude.
B6 & Your Mental Health
At Kinetik, we’re big fans of good ol’ B6. Aside from keeping our energy up and our organs operating at full capacity, the vitamin is also essential in the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid that control emotions and help the body cope up with stress. [2] In other words, B6 is key for the healthy production of the brain chemicals that make us feel emotionally stable or experience the bliss when we eat our favorite home cooked meal; think of it as a happy vitamin. For people who experience even mild symptoms of anxiety or depression, B6 can be a helpful and accessible ally. In one double-blind study, researchers in 2008 found that the young female study participants reported a 20 percent reduction in symptoms of depression, suggesting that folks who may be struggling with depression or mood fluctuation could benefit from increasing their B6 intake. [3]
Our brains of course are among our largest and most energy-intensive organs. We use them all the time, even when we’re asleep. B6 acts as a regulator for that energy. In the fast pace of today’s world, it’s important that we remember to treat our brains and our bodies well. One of the ways we can do this is to go back to basics on the molecular level and give our bodies what they fundamentally need to thrive.
Additional Benefits of B6
A lot of us get the B6 vitamins we need from the foods we eat, including many protein-rich foods and starchy vegetables. However, people experiencing certain health conditions, like Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, or other ailments that affect the immune system may have trouble retaining optimum blood levels of B6. [1] Deficiency of the vitamin can compound existing health problems and/or cause a weakened immune system, mental fog, or new or worsening depression, so it’s important for folks at all health levels to make sure they’re getting the daily recommended dose of B6…in case you need an excuse to get that second portion of protein with your lunch today!
Additional research over the last several decades suggests there is even more to discover about the many possibilities of B6. Pyridoxine, for instance, may be effective with mitigating the effect of morning sickness in pregnant women. As a result of this finding, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists now recommends taking vitamin B6 supplements under a doctor’s care for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. [2] As more research is completed on this fascinating little vitamin, we may learn that B6 contains other benefits to our body that are currently unrecognized or under-examined.
In acknowledgement of the many positives from B6, Kinetik Nanobites are enriched with this vitamin as an essential building block for your healthy mind and body. After all, health is wealth; it’s our belief that everyone, no matter their life experience or health status, can benefit from implementing small but meaningful rituals that invest in our overall wellness. Whether that’s a protein shake after the gym or a Kinetik Nanobite, nature’s wonder-vitamin B6 can help keep you movin’ and groovin’.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information is provided for general information and educational purposes only. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product.
References:
[1] “Vitamin B6.” Harvard School of Public Health.
[2] “Vitamin B6: Fact Sheet for Consumers.” National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. January 2021.
[3] Satchel, Jennifer (rev.), “What is vitamin B6? 7 benefits,” Everlywell. May 2022.
