The principal metabolically active, coenzyme form of Vitamin B6. (There's also a pyridoxamine 5 phosphate.)

Mechanisms and effects

• converts
  • tryptophan to niacin
  • arachidonic acid to prostaglandin E2
• Ronald Roth, Acu-Cell Nutrition: B-Complex Vitamins:
  • Higher amounts of Vitamin B6 increase magnesium retention, resulting in a high magnesium / low calcium ratio.
    • quickly after Vitamin B6 injections
    • after some time of oral supplementation
    • can produce insomnia, heart palpitations, chest pains, anxieties, depression, mood swings, joint / muscle pains, and/or other symptoms
  • excessive intake of either P5P or pyridoxine - when not needed, may lead to nerve and/or spinal degeneration, specifically affecting T1 (with right-sided symptoms in the upper back / shoulder area) and at L2, along with general osteo-arthritic changes in various joints.
• "P5P is the only form of Vitamin B6 that can be used by enzymes involved in biochemical processes associated with heme synthesis. P5P is necessary for the formation of hemoglobin, the synthesis of neurotransmitters, and the metabolism of glycogen to glucose and facilitates in the metabolism of homocysteine." (OSTEOPLEX Nutritional osteoporotic support.)
• a coenzyme in the conversion of tryptophan to serotonin

Natural sources of pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine

How the body makes it

• primarily in the liver
• from of pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine in food
• requires Vitamin B2, zinc and magnesium

Deficiency

Supplementation

My experience

For further information

• Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate, by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Includes abstracts of some studies.
• Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B6 - from the National Institutes of Health
• Vitamin B6 - Pyridoxine, by Elson M. Haas M.D. (Excerpted from Staying Healthy with Nutrition: The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine, Celestial Arts)