Vitamin B6 (VB6)

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin. Pyridoxine is one of the compounds that can be called vitamin B6, along with pyridoxal and pyridoxamine. Its hydrochloride salt pyridoxine hydrochloride is often used.  Vitamin B6 assists in the balancing of sodium and potassium as well as promoting red blood cell production. It is linked to cardiovascular health by decreasing the formation of homocysteine. Pyridoxine may help balance hormonal changes in women and aid the immune system. It is required for the production of the monoamine neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine, as it is the precursor to pyridoxal phosphate: cofactor for the enzyme aromatic amino acid decarboxylase. This enzyme is responsible for converting the precursors 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) into serotonin and melatonin, and levodopa (L-DOPA) into dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline.