Vitamin B6

What it does, and how

• Help enzymes process food components

  Enzymes carry out chemical reactions in the body. Active forms of vitamin B6 work alongside many of them, especially in reactions that process amino acids, the building blocks of protein.

  Coenzyme activity in metabolism · Evidence

  Vitamin B6 coenzyme forms support enzyme-mediated metabolism.

  Normal physiological role only; does not establish an effect of eating Kale.

  • Read sourceIntroduction: active coenzyme forms, enzyme reactions, and neurotransmitter biosynthesis paragraphs

  Sources for the explanation

  • Vitamin B6: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals

• Make messengers for nerve cells

  Nerve cells communicate using chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. Vitamin B6 helps the enzymes that make some of these messengers, which explains its connection to the brain and nervous system.

  Neurotransmitter synthesis · Evidence

  Vitamin B6 participates in neurotransmitter biosynthesis.

  Normal physiological role only; does not establish an effect of eating Kale.

  • Read sourceIntroduction: active coenzyme forms, enzyme reactions, and neurotransmitter biosynthesis paragraphs

  Sources for the explanation

  • Vitamin B6: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals

Where it works in the body

A nutrient can take part in more than one body system. Follow a connection to see how its work fits together with other nutrients.

• Brain & Nervous SystemVitamin B6 helps make neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers nerve cells use to communicate.

The body map groups established nutrient roles to help you explore; it does not predict a health outcome from eating a food. Evidence and mapping notes.

How does the body keep a supply? Learn about nutrient storage, depletion and replenishment.