The Many Life-Threatening Faces of Vitamin B6 Deficiency

All B vitamins are essential for health because they perform a variety of functions in the body. However, one of the deficiencies that stands out is vitamin B6 deficiency. However, vitamin B6 deficiency is higher among people with excessive alcohol use, renal failure, autoimmune disease, obesity, pregnancy, etc. These factors can also affect your ability to absorb vitamin B6, despite this vitamin being present in most foods.

A deficiency in vitamin B6 can have a devastating effect on your body. Hence, the following are some life-threatening forms of vitamin B6 deficiency:

• Convulsions and seizures:

  These are sudden and uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain. It can lead to abnormal movements and a loss of consciousness. A deficiency in vitamin B6 can trigger the development of these conditions.

• High homocysteine levels:

  Homocysteine is an amino acid produced in the body. High levels of this amino acid indicate inflammation in the blood vessels and a high risk of developing plaque or clots in the arteries. Fortunately, vitamin B6 helps to prevent excessive clotting by reducing homocysteine levels in the body.

• Peripheral neuropathy:

  Peripheral neuropathy happens when the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves) are damaged. Deficiency in vitamin B6 can result in peripheral neuropathy, which comes with numbness, tingling, and weakness in your hands and feet. This occurs because vitamin B6 is involved in the maintenance of nerve function.

• Hormonal imbalance:

  Vitamin B6 is involved in the synthesis and regulation of hormones, including estrogen and insulin. Deficiency can disrupt hormonal balance, leading to symptoms such as irregular menstruation and premenstrual syndrome.

• Chronic insomnia:

  a deficiency in vitamin B6 can contribute to sleep problems. This is because vitamin B6 is involved in the production of neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine, which help regulate your sleep cycle and mood.

• Anemia:

  When you hear the word anemia, iron deficiency is what comes to mind for most people. Surprisingly, a deficiency in vitamin B6 can result in a type of anemia called microcytic anemia. Vitamin B6 is needed for the production of hemoglobin, the protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen. Hence, a deficiency can lead to a decrease in hemoglobin production.

How Can You Avoid Vitamin B6 Deficiency?

People who consume a solely vegetarian diet are at risk of a vitamin B6 deficiency, as meat products are the highest source of B6 vitamins. Eating a wide variety of healthy vitamin B6-rich foods like beef, chicken, eggs, etc can help you get all the vitamins recommended for optimal health.

Alternatively, you can also get the required vitamin B6 by supplementing with NATURE’S FIELD VITAMIN B6. People with gut inflammation and other digestive issues, alopecia, consume too many processed foods, take blood pressure medications and birth control pills, excessively take alcohol, smoke, etc. tend to be deficient in vitamin B6. 

Whether or not you fall into the above categories, getting adequate vitamin B6 through your diet or supplementing with NATURE’S FIELD VITAMIN B6 is crucial for reducing the risk of developing health conditions and enjoying the additional incredible health benefits.