Vitamin B6

Alternative names * *Return to top *

Pyridoxine; Deficiency - vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) *
Definition * *Return to top *

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin and is part of the vitamin B complex. *
Function * *Return to top *

Vitamin B6 plays a role in the synthesis of antibodies by the immune system, which is needed to fight many diseases. It helps maintain normal nerve function and also acts in the formation of red blood cells. Vitamin B6 is also required for the chemical reactions needed to digest proteins. The higher the protein intake, the more the need for vitamin B6.

Food Sources * *Return to top *

Vitamin B6 is found in beans, nuts, legumes, eggs, meats, fish, whole grains, and fortified breads and cereals. *
Side Effects * *Return to top *

Large doses of vitamin B6 can cause neurological disorders and numbness. Deficiency of this vitamin can cause mouth and tongue sores, irritability, confusion, and depression. (Vitamin B6 deficiency is not common in the United States.) *
Recommendations * *Return to top *

The average diet supplies adequate quantities of vitamin B6. *
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I did not write this and I don't remember where I found it, but here you go. I have been taking 50 mg of B-6, 500 mcg of B-12, 250 mg of B-1, and a multi-vitamin every day for weeks. They do help. B-6 can cause nerve damage if you take too much. Here are 2 good sites also: *

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/cc/vitb6.html *
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/cc/vitb12.html *

\"Do substances like drugs, herbs and foods affect our dreams? *
Yes. During REM protein-synthesis is highly active, so your body needs high levels of amino acids. The neurotransmitter in use during REM is Acetylcholine. It is made from the B-vitamin Choline and the vitamin B-5. *

But there are more vitamins that can make us dream more. The body can synthesis the B-vitamin Choline. But in order to do that it needs vitamin B-12, Folic acid (B-9), the amino acids Methionine and Serine. Vitamins B-12 plays a role in the activation of amino acids during *
protein formation. It has also the ability to increase the production of Acetylcholine and normalize neurotransmissions in the brain. *

Vitamin B-6 is another important vitamin. It is a co-enzyme, which participates in over 60 enzymatic reactions involved in the metabolism of amino acids. It is involved in the production of several body proteins and neurotransmitters. It is particularly indispensable to the action of amino acid neurotransmitters, like Serotonin, Dopamine, Melatonin, and Norepinephrine, which effect brain function. It is also involved in the metabolism of Selenium, Calcium, and Magnesium. *

Melatonin is a neurotransmitter/hormone that is only active during sleep. It is being metabolized when you fall asleep from Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is being metabolized from the amino acid Tryptophan. Melatonin increases non-REM sleep and makes it easier for you to fall asleep. But it has also an interesting rebound effect that gives more frequent and vivid dreams. The vividness might even give you a lucid dream. *

The amino acid Tryptophan can be metabolized into Serotonin and Niacin (B-3). Vitamin B-6 promotes this conversion. Taking Niacin or Nicotine patches will increase the Serotonin production. The more Niacin you take, the more Serotonin is produced and more Melatonin is *
metabolized. Calcium and Magnesium promotes Serotonin production as well. Zinc is in every cell of the body and is a part of over 200 enzymes, so Zinc supplements may increase REM-sleep, too. *

DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) is a very important B-vitamin. It flows easily through the brain's blood barrier, where it is converted into Choline. During REM, Choline is added the coenzyme A (Vitamin B-5), and we have Acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter in use during REM. *
5-HTP (5-Hydroxy-TryptoPhan) is a Serotonin precursor that also flows quite easy through the brain's blood barrier. It is a good alternative to Melatonin. *

Vitamin C helps metabolizing several amino acids and hormones. It is also important to have adequate levels of amino acids. A few important ones are Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Methionine, Cysteine, Serine and Tryptophan. *

Using Tobacco, Alcohol or Coffee prohibits the absorption of necessary vitamins and amino acids. Depressants suppress REM sleep, one is Alcohol, but taken in right doses can create a rebound effect so that you wake up remembering many vivid dreams. And anti-depressants may *
increase dream recall. Caffeine will make you sleep lighter, will increase your dream recall and maybe even give you a lucid dream. \"
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