Study: Vitamin B6 May Improve Hypertriglyceridemia

BEIRUTTaking vitamin B6 supplements may improve hypertriglyceridemia, a study in Clinical Therapeutics found. The 12-week long trial showed vitamin B6 to help lower triglycerides, which is associated with fat metabolism (Clin Ther. 2012 Aug;34(8):1674-82.).

Researchers gave 85 men with hypertriglyceridemia one of five treatments: lysine, vitamin B6,  lysine plus vitamin B6, carnitine or a placebo. The patients averaged 50 years of age. In the randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, scientists tested the lipid profile and fasting plasma glucose levels at baseline and at six and 12 weeks.

The researchers measured no changes in the lysine and carnitine groups. The patients who received vitamin B6, however, had a "significant reduction" in total cholesterol10 percent. The lipid profile also reduced.

Vitamin B6 has also been association with lowering the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD), lung cancer and colorectal cancer.