Is P-5-P really better than "regular" vitamin B6?

Last Updated: 08/02/2017 Initially Posted: 10/21/2015

Man in Plaid Shirt Reading Supplement Bottle

Join over 90,000 Members

Find the best products with instant access to our latest tests & reviews of over 1,300 health products.

Save money by finding high-quality products at lower cost.

Be alerted to new clinical findings & warnings.

See answers from our experts.

Stay informed with our e-newsletter.

Join Now

Answer:

Pyridoxal-5-phosphate, sometimes called P-5-P or PLP, is the active form of vitamin B₆ (pyridoxine). Most supplements provide the pyridoxine form of B₆, although some provide pyridoxal-5-phosphate, or a combination of both. Taken at recommended doses, both forms appear to be relatively safe and have similar bioavailability for most people. Although pyridoxal-5-phosphate is sometimes promoted as more beneficial for people with diabetes, there do not appear to be any studies in people to support this. For more details, see the "What to Consider When Buying" section of the B Vitamin Supplements Review >>