Vitamin B6 (PLP)
Advanced wellnessalso pyridoxal 5'-phosphate
What it isPyridoxal-5-phosphate is the active form of vitamin B6, serving as a cofactor in over 150 enzymatic reactions including amino acid and neurotransmitter metabolism.
DoesDrives serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and norepinephrine synthesis; contributes to heme production; supports homocysteine clearance.
GoodAdequate B6 supports neurotransmitter balance, sleep, mood, and methylation.
BadLow B6 contributes to depression, PMS, peripheral neuropathy, and elevated homocysteine. Paradoxically, very high doses of B6 over time can also cause neuropathy.
- Standard
- 20–125 nmol/L.
- Optimal
- 60–110 nmol/L (higher is good within range)
- Modifiers
- Falls with alcohol, oral contraceptives, isoniazid.
How to optimize
- Lifestyle
- —
- Diet
- Poultry, fish, potatoes, bananas, chickpeas, pistachios.
- Supplements
- Pyridoxal-5-phosphate (25–50mg/day — the active form, avoids high-dose neuropathy risk); B-complex.
- Peptides
- —
- Drugs
- —
Reference ranges are general adult lab norms; optimal ranges are editorial picks from the longevity literature — not medical advice. Always interpret results with your physician.
within Vitamins