A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds that low levels of vitamin B6 may increase the risk of inflammation and subsequently cardiovascular disease risk.

Vitamin B6 is the master vitamin for processing amino acids—the building blocks of all proteins and some hormones. Vitamin B6 deficiencies are thought to be very rare. Vitamin B6 deficiency can cause impaired immunity, skin lesions, and mental confusion. A marginal deficiency sometimes occurs in alcoholics, patients with kidney failure, and women using oral contraceptives.

The study included 1,205 people and found that people with higher levels of vitamin B6 has lower markers for inflammation and oxidative stress, such markers are related to the risk of heart disease.

“Our data suggest that vitamin B-6 may influence cardiovascular disease risk through mechanisms other than [reduction of the amino acid] homocysteine and support the notion that nutritional status may influence the health disparities present in this population,” concluded researchers.

Source
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition