Vitamin B6 is given to normalize body metabolism, not to distort it, as drugs do. While a single vitamin, such as vitamin B6 may produce favorable results, optimum results are most likely to occur when other nutrients are also provided. Nutrients must form compounds in the body to be effective, and their effectiveness is limited when other nutrients are in short supply. Vitamins differ from drugs in this respect. Drugs operate as blocking agents and can thus function atone.
Vitamins act as facilitating or enabling agents and require the presence of other nutrients.
Magnesium is the most important of these supplemental nutrients, because the body cannot properly utilize vitamin B6 without a sufficient supply of magnesium. If the child's diet does not provide a good supply of this mineral, and it usually does not, magnesium must be provided as a supplement. Vitamin C, the other B vitamins, and zinc are among the nutrients that should be given if B6 treatment is to be safe and effective. While some research studies have reported good results by using from 75 to 1,000 milligrams per day of vitamin B6, along with about 300 milligrams per day of magnesium, it is better to use a carefully formulated megavitamin product. The formula is available both in caplet form and as a powder that may be mixed with applesauce, mashed potatoes, juices, or other foods the child finds palatable.