Vitamin B6 May Increase Immune Cell Proliferation
CORVALLIS, Ore.--Increasing intake of vitamin B6 improves the
body's stores of the vitamin, which seems to enhance lymphocyte (white blood
cell) proliferation, according to research that appeared in the November issue
of the Journal of Nutrition (132, 11:3308-13, 2002) (www.nutrition.org).
Researchers at Oregon State University gave 7 women 1 mg/d of vitamin B6 for a
one-week adjustment period, which was followed by three two-week periods. During
these time frames, vitamin B6 intake was incrementally increased from 1.5 mg/d
to 2.7 mg/d. Vitamin B6 status was improved for increasing intake levels,
according to researchers: Five of seven subjects showed increases with intakes
of 2.1 mg/d and 2.7 mg/d, compared with the 1.5 mg/d. The improved B6 status was
accompanied by a 35-percent increase in lymphocyte proliferation.