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question

How do B vitamins help reduce pain and inflammation?

Stacy Wiegman, PharmD
Stacy Wiegman, PharmD
Pharmacy
answer
Although scientists think B vitamins play a role in reducing pain and inflammation, how effective they are and how they do so is not yet well understood.

Researchers do know that vitamins B6 and B12 are important in reducing levels of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood. Homocysteine in turn is associated with inflammation.

These same two B vitamins are also being studied for a possible role in reducing nerve pain associated with diabetes, called diabetic neuropathy, as well as nerve pain associated with certain kinds of chemotherapy.

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