Topic Title: Should I take Vitamin B6 with my 5-HTP
| |  "Should I take Vitamin B6 with my 5-HTP"
, Thu 31 Jan 15:45
I read at DEPRESSIONREMEDY.COM (a site referred to frequently on these boards) that "5-HTP is converted to serotonin by an aromatic amino acid decarboxylase enzyme, which requires vitamin B6 to form the conversion." Is anyone taking B6 with their 5-HTP? Is it recommended? Any different effects? I noticed that the Vitamin Shoppe brand of 5-HTP contains B6 but that's the only one I've seen which does. Would a multivitamin be sufficient?
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Wed 30 Jan 2002 22:5 |
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| |  "Re(1):Should I take Vitamin B6 with my 5-HTP"
, Mon 4 Feb 05:31
Nature's Way brand also contains b6 and c. Here is some info about b6 from http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral/vitaminb6.html
Tell me about...
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
What is vitamin B6?
Also known as pyridoxine, vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin absorbed by the intestines and carried throughout the body in the bloodstream. Since it is not stored in body fat, after the body uses what it needs, any excess vitamin B6 is excreted in urine or sweat.
Why do we need it?
Vitamin B6 is considered the "master vitamin" in the processing of amino acids. It helps build up and break down amino acids and is needed to make serotonin, melatonin and dopamine. It also aids in the production of red and white blood cells, converts a substance called tryptothan to niacin, and plays a role in the metabolism of proteins and fats. Large doses of B6 may reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome and depression.
How much vitamin B6 should I take?
According to the National Academy of Sciences, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for pyridoxine is as follows:
Adult men: 2 milligrams/day
Adult women: 1.6 milligrams/day
Children aged 7-10: 1.4 milligrams/day
Infants: 0.6 milligrams/day
Pregnant/lactating women: 2.2 milligrams/day
What are some good sources of vitamin B6?
The best sources of pyridoxine include meats, oily fish (especially tuna), poultry, legumes and leafy green vegetables. Other good sources include potatoes (with skins), avocados, watermelon, bananas, carrots, brewer's yeast and fortified cereals.
What can happen if I don't get enough vitamin B6?
Vitamin B6 deficiency is rare. However, alcohol and tobacco have been shown to impair the absorption of B6, as have a number of drugs, including ethionamide, hyrdalazine and penicillamine.
B6 deficiency can cause skin problems and nervous system disorders, including impaired memory and concentration. A lack of B6 has also been associated with increased levels of the chemical homocysteine, which in turn has been associated with heart disease, birth defects, Alzheimer's disease and possibly dementia. Increasing one's intake of fruits and vegetables may reduce homocysteine levels.
What can happen if I take too much?
Taking very high doses (>2,000 mg per day) of pyridoxine for months or years can cause numbness in the feet and hands, which may be permanent in some cases. Supplementation should be stopped immediately if any of these symptoms begin to develop. Pyridoxine also reduces the effects of L-dopa, a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease.
MJ DuPont
http://events.diabetes.org/memberpages/peshka
Posts: 215 | | Registered: Wed 20 Jun 2001 6:19 |
| | |  "Re(2):Should I take Vitamin B6 with my 5-HTP"
, Tue 5 Feb 10:19:
I have been tinkering with the idea of taking B6 and C at night with 5-HTP. However, you mention that it enhances a process that makes niacin. One of the reasons I was having trouble with SJW is that it made my already rosy complexion even more red. Niacin is something that i want to stay away from. Does B6 generate more niacin in the body? I guess what I am wondering is if it will increase the amount of Niacin in my system and therefore make me more red? If so, i think I want to stay away from it. Thanks.
[this message was edited by mike1g on Tue 5 Feb 10:21]
Posts: 42 | | Registered: Thu 10 Jan 2002 11:38 |
| | "Re(1):Should I take Vitamin B6 with my 5-HTP" , Sun 3 Feb 15:43
I saw some info at iherb.com that indicated that too much B6 increases the likelihood of serotonin overload. Although, some brands (Nature's Way, for example) include B6 becuase it improves effectiveness, from what I've read you have to watch and not take too much B6.
Hope this helps.
Posts: 34 | | Registered: Thu 28 Jun 2001 15:58 |
| | "Re(1):Should I take Vitamin B6 with my 5-HTP" , Sat 2 Feb 15:51
Hi, i am from europe and here there is at least one brand using b6 (250% of RDA) and magnesium with 5 HTP. Multivitamin will not hurt you so don't worry about that. I am not a doctor but i don't think taking b6 will make difference (maybe positive only). I've also seen web sites reccomending it.
Posts: 0 | | Registered: Sat 2 Feb 2002 15:44 |
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