The body needs vitamin B6 to make the brain chemicals affected in children with ADHD, including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. PLP is necessary for the conversion of DOPA into dopamine (the missing brain chemical in ADHD) and conversion of glutamate (the exciting brain chemical) to GABA (the calming brain chemical).

The level of vitamin B6 available determines how much of the brain chemicals are made. Even a mild vitamin B6 deficiency can result in substantially low production and less GABA and serotonin being made. As a result, sleep, behavior are being affected.

Besides, its involvement in brain chemical productions, vitamin B6 also has a direct effect on immune function and plays a role in brain glucose regulation.

Pyridoxal-5′-phosphate is also associated with inflammation, and levels of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate are down-regulated as a function of more severe inflammation, potentially as a consequence of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate’s role in the metabolism of tryptophan. This role is particularly important as inflammatory processes may contribute to dementia and cognitive decline.

Children with ADHD and/or autism have lower conversion rates to PLP, the active form of vitamin B6. Therefore, supplementing with PLP is more appropriate and readily available for use by the body.

Inside the body, the naturally occurring glycosylated forms of B6 in fruits and vegetables have to be converted by the liver to the active form the body needs. People with impaired liver function, celiac disease, older adults, and children with autism and/or ADHD have decreased ability in converting vitamin B6 into its active forms. Therefore, supplementing B6 in its active form is more appropriate and readily available for use by the body.

Vitamin B6 deficiency can cause Irritability, impaired alertness, depression, cognitive decline, dementia, autonomic dysfunction, convulsions, serrborreic dermatitis, peripheral neurophathy with numbness and tingling in hands and feet, brain fog.

Deficiencies in vitamins B6 can cause irritability and fatigue in children and adults with ADHD.

In one study, 40 children with clinical symptoms of ADHD were followed for up to 8 weeks during a trial of magnesium-vitamin B6 (Mg-B6) regimen.

Children from the ADHD group showed significantly lower magnesium level compared to children in the control group (n = 36). In almost all cases of children with ADHD, being on the Mg-B6 regimen for at least two months significantly reduced clinical symptoms of hyperactivity and hyperemotivity/aggressiveness and improvement in school attention.

In addition, the Mg-B6 regimen also significantly increased in magnesium values in the group of children with ADHD. Unfortunately, when the Mg-B6 treatment was stopped, ADHD symptoms reappeared just few weeks along with a decrease in magnesium values.

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin and one of the vitamin B’s that make up the complex. It is found in one of three naturally occurring forms – pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, and three respective 5′-phosphate esters. Pyridoxal 5′ phosphate (PLP) and pyridoxamine 5′ phosphate (PMP) are the active coenzyme forms of B6 that participate in amino acid metabolism.

Doses of vitamin B6 in research studies averaged 18 mg/kg body weight/day (8 mg/pound daily), which is about 320 mg per day for a 40-pound child.

Studies showed children with ADHD have lower levels of magnesium inside their blood cells. Since B6 helps improve blood cell level of magnesium, supplementing magnesium along with B6 will help with ADHD symptoms.

Magnesium and vitamin B6 have a co-dependent relationship. While B6 boosts the absorption of magnesium into the cells, magnesium is needed for the proper functioning of alkaline phosphatase, which helps the absorption of B6 into body tissues.

In the study mentioned above of young children with an average age of 6-7 years old showed improvement in behaviors, such as inattention, aggressiveness, and hyperactivity with treatment with magnesium and B6. The amounts used were 6 mg/kg/day magnesium and 0.6mg/kg/day B6 – roughly 100-200 mg of magnesium and around 10-20 mg of B6.

Ok, there you have it…

I hope you find this information helpful. Let me know what you think and comment below. 

Remember ADHD does not doom your child to a life of under-achievement. You know your child is bright, full of potential, and deserves the best. In fact, many of the world’s greatest discoveries and inventions were made by people with ADHD.

If you’re just starting out on this natural ADHD treatment journey and still in the research phase, check out my new book Eat to Focus. Inside this book, you’ll learn why your ADHD child is always hungry, why he or she seems addicted to milk and bread, the underlying causes of ADHD, and the most effective ADHD treatment that addresses all the causes to reduce hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and anxiety while improving focus and calmness in your ADHD child. 

Don’t forget to download your free gift 15 Quick & Simple ADHD-Friendly Breakfast Ideas before you leave.