Vitamin B-6 & Tendonitis

Tendinitis is a condition marked by inflammation of your tendons and ligaments, which are tissues that connect your muscles together and connect muscles to bones. It may cause symptoms such as pain, stiffness, joint swelling and sensitivity to touch. Tendinitis is typically caused by repetitive movements, overuse of joints or injuries. Although vitamin B-6 cannot cure tendinitis, it may help reduce the symptoms of this condition. Talk to your physician before taking vitamin B-6 to address tendinitis.

Protein and Fat Metabolism

Proteins are amino acids that serve as building blocks of muscles and connective tissue, and fats aid in maintaining elasticity 1. The role of vitamin B-6 in the metabolism of these nutrients may help your body repair tendons and ligaments and may help prevent future injuries.

Immune System Function

Vitamins for Tendinitis

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Your body's immune system is responsible for locating and destroying virus cells, fungi and bacteria in your body that can cause infection. Infection can damage the cells of your tendons and ligaments and may increase inflammation, stiffness and pain. Vitamin B-6 may help improve immune system function by stimulating the production of white blood cells that destroy infection-causing bacteria, fungi and virus cells, according to Balch.

Sources

Vitamin B-6 is typically included in multivitamin and B-complex supplements. It is also available as a stand-alone supplement. This vitamin is also found in foods such as:

• chicken
  
• eggs
  
• wheat germ
  
• carrots
  
• cantaloupe
  
• bananas
  
• corn
  
• cabbage

Certain herbs, such as catnip and alfalfa, also contain vitamin B-6, according to Balch. However, talk to your physician before using herbs to obtain vitamin B-6 or treat tendinitis -- any herb may cause side effects or allergic reactions.

Considerations

Vitamins for Glandular Fever

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There is no specific daily recommended vitamin B-6 intake for tendinitis apart from general intake recommendations. The general recommended daily intake is 1.3 mg for adults, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center 2. Doses moderately above the daily recommended intake are considered safe; however, consuming more than 200 mg of vitamin B-6 per day may cause neurological problems such as poor balance and loss of feeling in your legs. Vitamin B-6 may also interfere with the absorption of tetracycline antibiotics.