Pyrodoxine 5 phosphate (PLP) is one of a few essential forms and is the vitamin referred to as B6. Deficiency in B6 affects the metabolism of fatty acids which can cause a decrease in neurotransmitters and ultimately seizures. B6 is needed for amino acid metabolism in so many biochemical reactions and if deficient can create neurological results. Pyrodixine deficiency and it’s impact on seizure disorders is named in 265 medical journals. However research often notes that B6 deficiency is rare; the etiology only presenting in infants. But is it rare?
In the recent development in genomics (genes and the environment)a common gene variance, referred to as MTHFR has been identified in significant populations in developed countries. I attended a weekend conference in Seattle, learning about these variants and their impact on neurotransmitters and detoxification (I’ll detail in the next blog). The MTHFRC677T and MTHFRa1298c variances, specifically, appear in 40% to 60% in American populations. Individuals with this defective enzyme are dependent on B6 and require greater concentrations than the RDA. Dependency is an important distinction in supplementation.
In addition, a study conducted at Tufts University discovered that it’s common to be deficient in B6. One of the lead researchers at Tufts identified that those individuals taking the RDA of B6 fall well below functional levels of acceptance. She refers to the RDA as (ridiculous daily allowance).
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/complementary-medicine/200904/vitamin-b6-deficiency-common-in-us
Whether it’s a dependency or a deficiency it’s important to recognize that B6 (specifically in PLP form) is necessary for support of our built-in calming mechanisms, neurotransmitters. Support of neurotransmitters can reduce the threshold for seizures.
Be well,
Lynn
