Pyridoxal 5 phosphate is processed by our bodies from vitamin B6. It contains antioxidant properties and is an important cofactor in many enzymatic reactions in the cell. Serving as the active coenzyme form of vitamin B6, pyridoxal 5 phosphate is an essential contributor toward many aspects of physical and mental health, including regulating fats, proteins, and sugars in the body.
Pyridoxal 5 phosphate functions as a coenzyme in approximately 160 different enzymatic reactions. These critical processes influence the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids, plus pyridoxal 5 phosphate plays an integral role in the synthesis of specific neurotransmitters. In addition to these functions, pyridoxal 5 phosphate quenches oxygen reactive species, serving as a valuable antioxidant.
As mammals, we humans cannot synthesize pyridoxal 5 phosphate, but we are able to convert this micronutrient through a metabolic mechanism called a salvage pathway. This process synthesizes pyridoxal 5 phosphate from vitamin B6 sources including pyridoxal, pyridoxine, or pyridoxamine.
Without sufficient vitamin B6 intake, we cannot produce the required pyridoxal 5 phosphate, which may potentially lead to any of several diseases including:
Accordingly, maintaining sufficient levels of pyridoxal 5 phosphate remains a critical factor in a healthy lifestyle. To keep up pyridoxal 5 phosphate levels, a diet rich in vitamin B6 is recommended.
The B vitamins are an essential part of healthy living. Because of its wide range of activities in the cell, Vitamin B6, in particular, is responsible for multiple benefits including promoting brain health as well as reducing:
Because vitamin B6 has so many positive attributes, it is easy to understand why it is so highly valued by nutritionists and healthcare workers.
Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin readily available in many food sources as well as in supplemental form. Of course, the best starting point for pyridoxine – or any vitamin – can be found in nature. Some of the primary natural sources of this essential micronutrient are:
Knowing which foods can provide a healthy regimen of vitamin B6 is a wonderful start. However, keep in mind that there are some factors that can limit our bodies ability to absorb the pyridoxine found in these foods.
Unfortunately, much of the vitamin B6 we find in our natural foods is lost in cooking. Most forms of food preparation cause some level of destruction to the vitamin B6 found in the food source, for example:
And, there are other factors that contribute to loss of vitamin B6 potency in food production:
Further, there are additional items that can affect our ability to receive all the vitamin B6 available in the foods we eat. Medications and other drug interactions that can sometimes severely limit vitamin B6 intake include:
Some of these items are necessary treatments for valid conditions and should be continued, by all means. The fact that they reduce vitamin B6 intake just means we need to ensure we adjust our diet accordingly when they are a part of our lifestyle. In these, and in all cases, it is highly suggested that you seek professional assistance from a licensed doctor and/or nutritionist to help maintain a balance between diet and required medicines.
While the best primary source for pyridoxine is natural foods, there are appropriate times to seek supplemental sources, such as when taking prescribed medicines as noted above. Because of potential interactions, it is always wise to consult a physician before adding any additional supplements or drugs to your body.
When seeking additional vitamin B6, a general consensus is that multivitamins provide an adequate supply of the entire range of B vitamins, including B6. You want to find high-quality supplements, and your doctor can help ensure you make a wise selection.
A simple blood test conducted by a qualified professional should provide a good understanding of the vitamin B6 stored in your body. If the results of this test determine that your B6 level is low, there are multiple steps to take that may correct the deficiency.
First, check your diet to ensure that you are including foods that contain higher levels of B6. As noted above, the methods used to cook foods can affect the level of vitamin B6 that is available to our bodies, we can adjust some of our cooking methods:
Finally, if your B6 is still deficient, work with your medical team to find a supplement that will work well with your body and avoid potential interactions with other medications or supplements.
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Primary sources:
https://neurohacker.com/benefits-of-vitamin-b6-as-pyridoxal-5-phosphate-p5p
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-b6/
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fgene.2018.00388/full
https://community.bulksupplements.com/pyridoxal-phosphate/
https://rarediseases.org/gard-rare-disease/pyridoxal-5-phosphate-dependent-epilepsy/
https://thehealthyrd.com/13-benefits-of-vitamin-b6/
https://www.drweil.com/vitamins-supplements-herbs/vitamins/dr-weils-guide-to-b-vitamins/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyridoxal_phosphate
