Vitamin B6 - Substances Enhanced by

Introduction

This section outlines the various Nutrients and chemicals whose function or production is enhanced by Vitamin B6.

Amino Acids

 Vitamin B6 facilitates the breakdown of dietary Proteins into individual Amino Acids.

 Many Amino Acids require Vitamin B6 for their transport across the Intestinal Mucosa into the Blood and from the Blood into the Cells.

 Vitamin B6 is an essential cofactor for the conversion of Glutamic Acid to Aspartic Acid.  ^[1]

 Vitamin B6 is an essential cofactor for the conversion of Cystathionine to Cysteine and Homoserine.

 Vitamin B6 is essential for the conversion of Glutamic Acid to Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) and for the conversion of Glutamic Acid to Aspartic Acid.

 Vitamin B6 is required for the conversion of Histidine to Histamine.  ^[2]

 Vitamin B6 is an essential cofactor for the conversion of Homocysteine to Cystathionine (via the Cystathionine Beta-Synthase enzyme).

 Vitamin B6 is an essential cofactor for the conversion of L-Dopa to Dopamine:  ^[3]

 Vitamin B6 increases BLOOD Dopamine levels, but decreases BRAIN Dopamine levels.  This occurs because Vitamin B6 converts L-Dopa to Dopamine in the bloodstream before L-Dopa crosses the Blood-Brain Barrier.  Dopamine in the peripheral bloodstream is unable to cross the Blood-Brain Barrier.

 Vitamin B6 is a cofactor for the conversion of Lysine to Carnitine. 

 Vitamin B6 is a cofactor for the conversion of Methionine to Cysteine.  ^[4]

 Vitamin B6 helps to prevent the adverse reactions (known as Chinese Restaurant Syndrome) that sometimes occur from excessive consumption of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG).  ^[5]

 Vitamin B6 is an essential cofactor for the conversion (decarboxylation) of Phenylalanine to Phenylethylamine (PEA) and Tyrosine.  ^[6]

 Vitamin B6 is a cofactor for the conversion of Phenylalanine to Phenylethylamine (PEA).  ^[7]

 Vitamin B6 facilitates the synthesis of endogenousS-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe).  ^[8]

 Vitamin B6 is a cofactor for the conversion of Serine to Cystathionine.

 Vitamin B6 is a cofactor for the manufacture of Taurine from Cysteine or Methionine.  ^[9]

 Vitamin B6 is a cofactor for the conversion of Tryptophan to 5-Hydroxytryptophan, Serotonin and Picolinic Acid; and inhibits the accumulation of excessive Xanthurenic Acid (a Tryptophan byproduct that is toxic if it accumulates to excessive levels).  ^[10]

 Vitamin B6 is a cofactor for the conversion of Phenylalanine to Tyrosine. 

Carbohydrates

 Vitamin B6 is essential for the proper metabolism of dietary Carbohydrates:  ^[11]

 Vitamin B6 is essential for the proper metabolism/utilization of Glucose.  ^[12]

Digestive Juices

 Vitamin B6 may stimulate the production of Hydrochloric Acid (HCl).

Enzymes

 Vitamin B6 is an essential cofactor for 5-HTP Decarboxylase.  ^[13]