The B6 – B12 Connection
Posted by bvitamins on April 6, 2008
There is a connection between vitamins B6 and B12, and they are proof that a balanced diet is the best way to eat. If you think it’s just OK to pop a vitamin pill each morning and then eat whatever you feel like…think again.
You’ve undoubtedly heard that B6 is good for you. But unlike its sibling B9 (folic acid), most people can’t name any foods that are good sources of B6. Just a few include lean meats, poultry, potatoes (with skins), bananas and avocados. A nice cross-section.
Now did you know that B6 can’t be fully assimilated by the body without enough B12 to set off the reactions? That means no matter how much B6 you take, it’s not going to do you much good without enough B12.
Now fortunately, B6 and B12 are both found in the same foods — lean meats, poultry, fish. So if you’re eating these, it’s likely that you’re getting about the combination you need. But how much good-quality protein do you get in a day? And don’t quote fast food — the fats and sodium and calories outweigh any benefits you might be getting from the protein.
It’s quite interesting how the B vitamins work together. But here’s something that you might want to consider if you are taking a B vitamin supplement. B12 needs to b e taken as a sublingual tablet to have much of an effect. The vast majority of B complex vitamins are the kind you swallow with a glass of water. So though you may be getting the other Bs, you may not be getting the B12 you need.
What a web this is! And it’s all the more reason to be eating a healthy, balanced diet instead of just relying on vitamin pills. Supplements help, for sure — but know what you’re taking and don’t get a false sense of security. All supplements are not created equally!
Oh, and when you look for a sublingual B12 supplement, see if you can find one that also contains B6. They are out there.
The B6 - B12 Connection | The Health Shack Blog said
[...] adinemrd wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptThere is a connection between vitamins B6 and B12, and they are proof that a balanced diet is the best way to eat. If you think it’s just OK to pop a vitamin pill each morning and then eat whatever you feel like…think again. … [...]
shirley south said
Why don’t you tell food to build up B-12 . What foods” ?????? What cause low B-12 . What are results of B-12 shots and B-12 supplements. Are they good for you ?????
Thanks
shirley south
Gail said
Hi Shirley! You can find the answers to your questions on this page: http://bvitamins.wordpress.com/vitamin-b12/
Sarah said
I am writing regarding my husband… He has been suffering for over a year with the following symptom:
Jumpy vision, heat intolerance (mainly in ears and neck), numbness in extremities, joint/muscle spasms and aches, objects are sensitive to touch, etc.
We have been to a Neuromuscular doctor(testing normal with a little carpel tunnel), Neurologist(MRI, Spinal Tap; MRI showing scaring on brain) and Endocrinologist(low thyroid levels). His symptoms seem to cycle…..
Neurologist diagnosed viral neuropathy last year and thought he would feel better in 3-6 mos. Endo prescribe meds for hypothyroids. Nothing has changed….
We are getting the run around right now for further or re-testing so, at first thought I was reaching by looking into B12 deficiency(been hearing a lot about this lately). I checked his Med records and at the beginning there were blood test indicating low B1. At that time doctor advised him to take B-50 complex; Which has had no effect on his then and current symptoms. Maybe he is the select few that cannot metabolize the B12 through his stomach? So, I bought B6/B12 injection and he has received 2 shots already. If this is the case with my husband, how long would he need to take the injections to see improvement?
Thank you in advance for taking the time to view my entry.
Sarah Cozby
Gail said
Hi Sarah,
Wow, you and your husband have been through a lot! Some of his symptoms seem to fall in the B12 deficiency category, for sure.
So, your husband has never had a B12 urinary MMA test? You seemed to say that a test had been done for B1 a least, but I’m not sure about the B12. You can see http://bvitamins.wordpress.com/2008/03/29/vitamin-b12-deficiency-symptoms/ for additional information on testing.
If some of the symptoms your husband is experiencing is due to a B12/B6 deficiency, it can take anywhere from days to months to see improvement. In general, the longer the symptoms have gone on, the longer it takes to see progress. However, I would expect to see at least the start of some progress within a few weeks.
Yes, there are many people who cannot absorb B12 through the digestive system, and they need the injections. Not to mention that a standard B-complex vitamin won’t do much for the B12 — B12 needs stomach acids in order to be used by the body. So, sublingual are the way to go if your body can absorb it.
Keep in mind that there are also medications that can interfere with the uptake of B vitamins. If your husband is taking any of these, he needs additional B12 to compensate.
On the page I referenced above there is an excellent book called Could it Be B12 that I highly recommend reading (link is on that page). It even has a section on how to talk with your doctor (as well as a section for physicians themselves).
Sarah, I’m not a doctor, but someone who has done a lot of research in this area. I’m happy to answer what I can, but you’ll ultimately need to confer with your physicians.
Best wishes to both yo uand your husband!