Vitamin B6 is another water soluble vitamin and a true supplement that performs a variety of functions in our aging baby boomers bodies. It helps in protein and red blood cell metabolism including the production of hemoglobin in the red blood cells.

The red blood cells carry oxygen and help keep the body oxygenated and is therefore important to the immune system. In addition, concerning the immune system, vitamin B6 aids in the maintenance of the lymphoid organs.

These are organs such as the spleen, lymph nodes and thymus and they act as filters for bacteria. They contain many white blood cells that help destroy the bacteria after it is trapped.

Other accomplishments of Vitamin B6 is that it helps in the function of the nervous system. It helps the body produce niacin or vitamin B3 and helps maintain the body's blood glucose levels.

It also helps the body in the metabolism of amino acids. Amino acids will be discussed on another page.

Vitamin B6 is found in a variety of foods. They include fortified cereals, which probably has the highest value, beans, meat, poultry and fish. Most people with normal nutritional diets have sufficient levels of the vitamin. However, the American Academy for Anti-Aging Medicine has reported that 'Government surveys suggest that as many as one-third of US adults suffer from vitamin B6 deficiency'.

According to the Linus Pauling Institute recommendation, the average intake of the vitamin for older adults should be approximately 2.0 mg/day.

Specific to the Baby Boomer

People with inefficient diets and who abuse the use of alcohol may find themselves with a deficiency of the vitamin. Another cause of deficiency is due to the over processing of foods which removes much of the B6 vitamin. This deficiency may show up in the form of depression, confusion and a skin disorder called dermatitis.

One other item to take note of is that a deficiency of the vitamin may allow the level of homocysteine to increase. Study has shown that the increased level of homocysteine may be a risk factor for heart disease and stroke as well as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, and osteoporosis. All of these are always a concern for aging baby boomers.

Large doses of vitamin B6 can cause numbness and possible neuropathy problems.

Let's recap the specifics

The immune system is strongly supported by helping in the maintenance of the lymphoid organs.

Red blood cell metabolism is aided which includes the production of hemoglobin in the red blood cells.

The nervous system is supported by it's neurotransmitters being used by vitamin B6 dependent enzymes.

Serotonin ,a hormone produced in the brain and also a neurotransmitter, fights depression and needs the vitamin for it's production.

Protein metabolism is aided by this vitamin. Protein is required to build and maintain healthy muscles.

Amino acids metabolism. Homocysteine for instance, an amino acid, is kept in check by the B complex vitamins. It may be linked to dementia, heart disease and stroke.

Supports many enzyme systems.

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