Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 Facts:

B6 is one of many B vitamins, known together as the vitamin B complex. In 1912 a scientist named Casimir Funk discovered the first B when he isolated B1 as a cure for the disease beriberi. Funk was also the first to use the term “vitamine” from “vita” for life and “amine” for the molecular structure. By 1920 four vitamins had been found: A, B1, C and D. It was the start of an entirely new frontier for nutritional science and public health.

Like the other Bs, B6 helps release energy from carbs, fats and proteins. It acts as a partner for over 100 different enzymes. B6 plays a role in many functions including growth, cognition, metabolism and synthesis of antibodies and neurotransmitters. Deficiency of B6 can lead to fatigue, depression, irritability, insomnia and confusion. It’s found in so many foods that most people get plenty from a normal diet. You get a good supply of B6 by eating whole grains, nuts, vegetables and moldy cheeses. So if you’re feeling a bit down or moody, a snack of pecans and gorgonzola might give you a little B6 blast!