Did you know your body can’t produce vitamin B6—even though it needs it? Instead, it relies on you adding the right foods & supplements to your diet.
Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and well-being. It is essential for numerous bodily functions, including metabolism, the nervous system, and the immune system.1
Vitamin B6 is also involved in the production of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood, behavior, and sleep. Additionally, it aids in the production of hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.
A vitamin B6 deficiency can lead to a variety of health issues, including anemia, depression, weakened immune function, and nerve damage.2 Considering your body's incapacity to synthesize this essential nutrient, it is critical to ensure its adequate consumption through dietary sources or supplements.
Now that we covered the basics, let’s dive into why vitamin B6 is one of your body’s favorite vitamins and how to easily get your fix.
Good Mood Groovin'
Vitamin B6 is who you have to thank for mood regulation, partly because this vitamin helps create neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.3 These chemicals play a vital role in our emotional well-being and mental health. Studies have shown that people with low levels of B6 are more prone to anxiety and depression.4 By adding this vitamin to your diet, you can support your body's natural mood regulation and improve your overall emotional health.
Embrace Your Inner Brainiac
Besides regulating mood, this power vitamin is also critical for cognitive function. B6 encourages the body to regulate its homocysteine levels, which are amino acids that can damage blood vessels and cause inflammation in the brain. By keeping homocysteine levels in check, B6 can help reduce your risk of dementia, Alzheimer's, and overall cognitive decline.5
No More Sick Days
Vitamin B6 also plays an important role in supporting your immunity. This vitamin enhances the chemical reactions within the immune system, enabling it to better defend against infections.6 Adding it to your diet helps significantly enhance your immune response and reduce your risk of illness. So, you can use your sick days to play hooky instead!
The best way to get your fix of B6?
Eat a diet rich in whole foods and veggies. Some good food sources of vitamin B6 include dark leafy greens, green peas, chickpeas, avocado, bananas, carrots, to name a few.7
But for the days where 3-5 cups of greens feels like a stretch, you’ve got Daily Elements on your side. One scoop of Daily Elements microgreens powder contains micro kale, micro broccoli, micro red cabbage, and micro peas and is nutritionally equivalent to 7 cups of adult leafy greens. It's an easy and convenient way to ensure you're getting your daily dose of vitamin B6 and all other essential nutrients, supporting your body's natural functions and improving your overall well-being.
