Supports neurotransmitter and hormone balance
Vitamin B6, in its active form pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P), is crucial for brain function, energy levels, and hormone balance. Since your body can't produce it, you need to get it from food or supplements.
About Vitamin B6
The Role of P-5-P
Vitamin B6 might sound like just another nutrient, but its active form, P-5-P, is involved in over a hundred enzyme reactions. One of its headline acts is lowering prolactin levels. This matters because less prolactin can lead to more dopamine, which impacts motivation, libido, and overall drive. High prolactin levels can leave you feeling tired or sluggish, while balanced levels help dopamine shine.
Boosting Neurotransmitters
Dopamine isn’t the only neurotransmitter receiving a boost. P-5-P is also essential for producing GABA, the brain’s main calming agent. Higher GABA levels can reduce anxiety and lead to a smoother stress response, resulting in more mental clarity and focus.
Supporting Hormonal Health
For those interested in testosterone levels, P-5-P plays a role in the hormonal cascade that supports healthy testosterone production. By keeping prolactin in check and boosting dopamine, the pathway to increased testosterone becomes less obstructed.
Why P-5-P?
P-5-P is the form of vitamin B6 that your body prefers. Many supplements contain pyridoxine hydrochloride, which converts to P-5-P. Using P-5-P directly skips this conversion step, which can be beneficial if your body struggles with it due to genetics or stress.
Related Products
Formulated With
Learn about other ingredients that Vitamin B6 is used alongside throughout the LVLUP range.
Detailed Information
Enzymatic Reactions and Dopamine Synthesis
Pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP or P-5-P) is the main active cofactor form of vitamin B6. It’s involved in over 140 PLP-dependent enzymatic reactions, especially in nitrogen metabolism. PLP is essential for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, catalyzing the synthesis of dopamine from L-DOPA. Adequate PLP levels directly influence dopaminergic tone through both central and peripheral pathways. PLP also modulates prolactin secretion by inhibiting it at the anterior pituitary, which means lower PLP correlates with increased prolactin levels and reduced dopamine output.
Role in GABA and Neurobehavioral Effects
Additionally, PLP is crucial for glutamate decarboxylase activity, converting glutamate to gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA). This process explains the neurobehavioral effects, such as anxiety reduction and improved stress resilience, seen with sufficient PLP levels. In male reproductive endocrinology, PLP reduces prolactin-induced gonadal inhibition, allowing luteinizing hormone to drive testosterone synthesis.
Bioavailability and Supplementation
PLP bypasses the typical conversion bottlenecks seen in those with compromised ALPL activity or liver issues. Supplementing with P-5-P raises plasma PLP levels quickly, regardless of intrinsic conversion capability.
