Vitamin B6 (also known as pyridoxine) is a water soluble vitamin and part of the B complex group (a group of eight vitamins which were first thought to be the singular vitamin B).  It was first discovered when scientists were looking for a vitamin that would cure acrodynia (a skin inflammation) in rats.  The acrodynia in the rats appeared to resemble pellagra (a disease where the skin becomes red and rough).  Since scientists already knew that pellagra was caused by a lack of vitamin B3 and could be used to treat the condition, they assumed that B3 could also be used to treat acrodynia.  In … [Read more...]