The Vegan Lifestyle

Vitamin B6: Health Benefits, Source, and Dosage

The body needs vitamins to function properly. Deficiency of certain vitamins can result to disease and even death. Vitamins are sometimes called as “co-enzymes” because they work together with enzymes or chemical catalyst in the body.

One of these vitamins needed by the body is the vitamin B complex. These are vitamins that are very important for the proper functioning of the body, especially for the brain and the nervous system.

One of these B complex vitamins is vitamin B6 or pyridoxine. It is used in more body functions than any other vitamin. This vitamin is extremely important in the formation of body proteins and structural compounds, chemical transmitters in the nervous system, red blood cells, and prostaglandins.

Pyridoxine is needed for the proper functioning of more than 60 different enzymes in the body. It is important in maintaining hormonal balance, and proper functioning of the immune system. Vitamin B6 is needed in the absorption of vitamin B12, and in the production of hydrochloric acid. It is crucial for brain chemistry because of its involvement in the production of all amino acid neurotransmitters.

Vitamin B6 is vital in cell multiplication, and is good for the prevention of miscarriages. When combined with magnesium, it can be used to treat Parkinson’s disease. It is also useful in the prevention and treatment of asthma, cardiovascular diseases, Chinese restaurant syndrome, diabetes, kidney stones, osteoporosis, autism, carpal tunnel syndrome, epilepsy, premenstrual syndrome, and vomiting during pregnancy.

Vitamin B6 is needed in the assimilation of vitamin C, potassium and other B vitamins. For the body to be able to utilize pyridoxine, riboflavin and magnesium are required.

Vitamin B6 deficiency symptoms are mental depression, anemia, edema, halitosis, eczema, insomnia, nervousness, sore mouth and lips, kidney stones, colon inflammation, migraines, tooth decay, and premature senility.

Rich sources of pyridoxine are brewer’s yeast, torula yeast, wheat germ, whole wheat, soybeans, walnuts, lentils, bananas, brown rice, oats, peanuts, avocadoes, eggs, and sunflower seeds.

Dosage: RDA 2.2 mg; ODA 50 mg; TDA 200-500 mg. Recommended for therapeutic dosage is 50-100 mg daily. Note: The above dosages are for adults. Dosage for children 12-17 years old should be reduced to 3/4 of the recommended dose, and for children 6-11 years old, dosage is 1/2 of the recommended.

Gotu kola is now becoming more popular, and its health benefits are well known throughout the world. With the health trend now on herbal and other natural medicines, most people have known the therapeutic value and health benefits of gotu kola.

Gotu kola is a medicinal herb that thrives in India, China, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Indonesia, and other tropical countries. This herb, also known as “centella asiatica”, thrives well in places with good water supply and much sunlight.

Gotu kola is rich in vitamins A, B, E, and K. It also contains magnesium which is crucial to many body functions such as energy production, protein formation, and cellular replication.

Gotu kola is called “Brahmi” in Sanskrit, which means “wisdom” or “consciousness”.  This herb is very good in boosting memory and intelligence because it increases blood circulation and oxygen supply to the brain. Gotu kola re-vitalizes the brain and the nervous system, increases attention span, and improves concentration. It is also used to treat depression and anxiety.

Gotu kola is a good nerve tonic. Like gingko biloba and lecithin, gotu kola dissolves and unclogs the cholesterol in blood vessels, thus improving blood circulation in the body, and supplying more oxygen to the brain for good memory and intelligence.

This cholesterol-dissolving property of gotu kola makes it good for the treatment of varicose veins and venous insufficiency. This also makes gotu kola as a good herb for lowering high blood pressure.

Gotu kola is good in the treatment of wounds, and for acetic acid- induced gastric ulcers. It is also good for the treatment of skin rashes, itching, redness, thick skin, and other skin diseases such as psoriasis and leprosy.

Gotu kola has powerful antioxidant properties. It increases the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. This herb is called  “miracle elixir of life” because of its anti-aging and rejuvenating properties that promote youthfulness and longevity. A legend is told of Chinese herbalists who lived up to more than 200 years because of their taking raw gotu kola.

Gotu kola neutralizes blood acids and cools  the blood, making it good for fevers and inflammations. It is a blood purifier, and is good for heart and liver functions. Gotu kola is used to treat rheumatism, blood diseases, connective tissue disorders, schizophrenia, kidney stones, and poor appetite.

Gotu kola has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. It is used to treat syphilis, hepatitis, diarrhea, epilepsy, asthma, mental fatigue, and insomnia.

Gotu kola has many health benefits. Some herbalist used it to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Most adults eat the raw leaves of gotu kola daily to prevent dementia and other memory-related problems due to old age.