In the early 20th century, a brilliant biochemist named Elmer McCollum discovered vitamin B while researching the dietary habits of small animals. A few years later, he further concluded that his discovery was not a single compound but various distinct compounds co-existing together. He called them the vitamin B “Complex”. Since then, eight different B vitamins have been discovered.
In the late 1930’s, a Hungarian doctor named Paul Gyorgy discovered vitamin B6 while researching the use of various substances to treat skin disorders in rats. Later, more research followed and three different forms of vitamin B6 viz. Pyridoxine, Pyridoxal and Pyridoxamine were isolated successfully. Pyridoxal Phosphate or PLP is the active form of vitamin B6 present in the human body.
The major vitamin b6 benefits are discussed below:
1. Pyridoxal Phosphate (PLP) plays a very important role in amino acid and protein metabolism. It aids in the conversion of various amino acids into active amines by a process called decarboxylation. Some examples are tryptophan to serotonin and niacin, histidine to histamine, homocysteine to cysteine etc.
2. It plays a major role in the manufacture of the neurotransmitters – epinephrine, serotonin, GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) and norepinephrine. Improper production of these neurotransmitters can lead to serious neurological problems which often leads to depression.
3. It is responsible for the production of glucose in the body through a process called “Gluconeogenesis”, thereby protecting the body from hypoglycemia.
4. Vitamin B6 also helps in the biosynthesis of hemoglobin, leading to the optimal production of RBC’s.
5. It helps convert homocysteine into cysteine thereby preventing heart attacks.
6. Recent research has shown that adequate presence of vitamin B6 lowers the risk of developing lung cancer significantly.
Therefore, while there are many vitamins that could be considered as the best vitamins for a healthy body Vitamin B6 definitely needs to be added to your diet. It’s clear that the various benefits of vitamin B6 to the overall health of an individual make its regular and adequate consumption very important.