TL;DR

  • Vitamin B6 is vital for over 100 enzyme reactions, especially those involving protein and amino acid metabolism.

  • Low B6 (especially low PLP) is linked with higher inflammation markers (CRP, fibrinogen) and increased cardiovascular risk, even after adjusting for inflammation.

  • B6 also helps convert cysteine into taurine, an amino acid that supports healthy blood pressure and lipid balance.

  • Subclinical B6 insufficiency is more common than expected, especially in people with kidney issues, autoimmune disease, alcohol use, or poor absorption.

  • Ensuring adequate B6 intake supports heart, brain, and immune health.

Vitamin B6 is one of the most versatile nutrients in human metabolism. It exists in six different forms (or vitamers): pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, and their respective 5′-phosphate esters. The active coenzyme forms—pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) and pyridoxamine 5′-phosphate (PMP)—are essential for more than 100 enzyme reactions, most of which involve protein and amino acid metabolism [1].

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Metabolic and Neurological Roles

PLP and PMP are crucial for:

  • Amino acid metabolism and one-carbon transfer reactions
  • Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism
  • Cognitive health through neurotransmitter synthesis
  • Immune regulation (B6 supports lymphocyte activity and interleukin-2 production)
  • Hemoglobin formation and normal red blood cell function [2]

B6 also helps maintain normal homocysteine levels, supporting cardiovascular and neurological health.

Who’s at Risk for Vitamin B6 Deficiency

While isolated deficiency is uncommon, subclinical insufficiency occurs more often than recognized—especially in people with:

  • Kidney disease or reduced renal function
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Malabsorption syndromes (e.g., celiac disease, Crohn’s)
  • Alcohol dependence
  • Use of certain medications, such as some epilepsy drugs [2]

Deficiency can result in anemia, fatigue, confusion, depression, dermatitis, and a weakened immune system.

Vitamin B6, Inflammation, and Heart Disease

Most people associate B6 with homocysteine metabolism, but research shows a broader relationship between B6 status and systemic inflammation.

  • Low plasma PLP levels are inversely correlated with markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen [4,5,6].
  • Data from the NHANES 2003–2004 survey showed that people with higher total vitamin B6 intakes had lower CRP levels.
  • In a case-control study of 267 patients with coronary artery disease, low PLP (<36.3 nmol/L) was associated with greater cardiovascular risk, independent of inflammation markers [4].

This means poor B6 status increases cardiovascular risk, even after adjusting for inflammation.

The Taurine Connection

While homocysteine often gets the spotlight, another key B6-related pathway deserves attention: taurine synthesis.
Vitamin B6 acts as a cofactor for converting cysteine to taurine, an amino acid with important cardiovascular benefits.

  • Taurine has been shown to lower blood pressure and improve lipid profiles, according to multiple clinical studies [8–10].
  • Because B6 deficiency can reduce taurine production, it may indirectly worsen hypertension or dyslipidemia.

Bottom Line

Vitamin B6 plays far more roles than most people realize.
It’s essential not only for amino acid metabolism and neurotransmitter production, but also for controlling inflammation, protecting the cardiovascular system, and supporting taurine synthesis.
Given its broad physiological reach and the frequency of subclinical deficiency, ensuring optimal B6 intake—through diet or supplementation—can support both heart health and metabolic resilience.

FAQ

Q: Can you get enough vitamin B6 from food alone?
Yes—foods like poultry, fish, potatoes, bananas, and chickpeas are rich in B6. However, subclinical deficiencies can occur in people with poor diet, kidney issues, or certain medications that interfere with absorption.

Q: Is vitamin B6 good for inflammation?
Research shows low blood levels of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) correlate with higher levels of inflammatory markers like CRP and fibrinogen. Adequate B6 helps regulate inflammation and supports cardiovascular health.

Q: How is vitamin B6 related to taurine and heart health?
Vitamin B6 is a cofactor for the conversion of cysteine to taurine. Taurine supports healthy blood pressure and lipid profiles, providing another reason why maintaining good B6 levels benefits cardiovascular health.

Q: Can you take too much vitamin B6?
Chronic high-dose supplementation (usually above 100 mg/day long-term) may cause nerve-related side effects. Stick to dietary levels or moderate supplementation under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

References:

  1. Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Cholineexternal link disclaimer. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 1998.
  2. Mackey A, Davis S, Gregory J. Vitamin B6. In: Shils M, Shike M, Ross A, Caballero B, Cousins R, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 10th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005.
  3. Clayton PT. B6-responsive disorders: a model of vitamin dependency. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2006;29(2-3):317-326.
  4. Friso S, Girelli D, Martinelli N, et al. Low plasma vitamin B-6 concentrations and modulation of coronary artery disease risk. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;79(6):992-998.
  5. Morris MS, Sakakeeny L, Jacques PF, Picciano MF, Selhub J. Vitamin B-6 intake is inversely related to, and the requirement is affected by, inflammation status. J Nutr. 2010;140(1):103-110.
  6. Sakakeeny L, Roubenoff R, Obin M, et al. Plasma pyridoxal-5-phosphate is inversely associated with systemic markers of inflammation in a population of US adults. J Nutr. 2012;142(7):1280-1285.
  7. Shen J, Lai CQ, Mattei J, Ordovas JM, Tucker KL. Association of vitamin B-6 status with inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammatory conditions: the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91(2):337-342.
  8. Eur J Pharmacol. 2020 Oct 15;885:173533. The effects of taurine supplementation on obesity, blood pressure and lipid profile: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
  9. 2016 Mar;67(3):541-9 Taurine Supplementation Lowers Blood Pressure and Improves Vascular Function in Prehypertension: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
  10. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2018 Jul 13;20(9):81 The Effects of Oral Taurine on Resting Blood Pressure in Humans: a Meta-Analysis