Vitamin B-6's most important function involves the manufacture of the thousands of different proteins within your body. As well, B-6 (pyridoxine) is very important to your body's manufacture of genetic material, and is critical to the health of your immune system (the biomechanism that defends you from disease).

B-6 also plays an invaluable role in the control of many other physiological processes such as neurotransmitter manufacture, hormone production, protein digestion and metabolism, fat and carbohydrate metabolism, and enzyme manufacture. It is also essential for healthy skin and hair.

It is thought that B-6 may also play a role in controlling blood levels of homocysteine, the amino acid which is believed to cause damage to blood vessels. Taking supplements of vitamins B-6, B-12 and folic acid has been shown to return the level of homocysteine to normal, and thus it is believed that these B vitamins may provide valuable protection against heart disease. B-6 is also used in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

It is estimated that as much as 60% of the North American population suffers from a B-6 deficiency.

Foods are your best sources of all nutrients. If your chart shows deficiencies of any B vitamins, increase your intake of vitamin B-rich foods, take a good multivitamin/mineral capsule or a B-complex tablet daily (with a meal) and follow all recommendations to improve your digestion.

We store very little vitamin B-6 in the body so foods high in vitamin B-6 should be eaten daily. Poultry and fish are good sources but if you are a vegetarian you can still get plenty of vitamin B-6 from brown rice and rice bran, wheat germ and wheat bran, whole grain bread and cereals, crushed sunflower seeds, dried parsley, bananas, soybeans and nuts. Royal jelly is an excellent supplementary source of B vitamins as well as other vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids. Don't take Royal jelly if you are allergic to bee stings. It's not a good idea to take large doses of vitamin B-6 or any single B vitamin, unless it's recommended by your doctor. High doses of vitamin B-6 can cause nerve damage.