Background:
Vitamin B6 is an essential cofactor in over 100 enzymatic reactions. We need abundant B6 to keep what is left of our dopaminergic neurons as healthy as possible, especially since they are already compromised by Parkinson's. Levodopa medication uses up a lot of vitamin B6. B6 is only present in foods in low milligram amounts, so supplementation is necessary if we are taking levodopa medication. Failure to do so can result in dire consequences.
There's more to it however. For starters, if B6 meets up with levodopa medication in the GI tract they will inactivate each other, so they must be taken at separate times. (This happens in the bloodstream too, but to a lesser extent because they are more dilute in circulation. Also, this is why levodopa medication uses up a lot of B6).
In addition there are two different forms of B6 commonly available as supplements, one of which is toxic. The toxic one is known as pyridoxine. The other is pyridoxal-5-phosphate, commonly known as P5P. It has a phosphate group attached, and is the active form. When it participates in reactions the phosphate group is detached. This must be restored for it to become active again. The inactive form, pyridoxine, if taken in quantity as a supplement, occupies sites that require the active form. It thereby sabotages essential reactions, and that makes it toxic. For more detail, including chemical structures, see here: healthunlocked.com/cure-par...
This knowledge is all well and good, however, there have been a couple of disturbing reports of apparent P5P toxicity, which if accurate seriously complicates the situation. Thus it is essential to know whether the P5P that was taken in these cases was authentic. In at least one case it came from a very reputable vendor, who tests all products for contamination. However, that is not sufficient because it is possible the vendor was supplied with the cheaper pyridoxine by their own supplier. Unless they specifically tested for P5P they would not know. Therefore, in such cases it is essential that we test to be sure we are not incorrectly blaming P5P for toxicity. The cause of the toxicity makes a huge difference in how to best use P5P.
Test Procedure
Materials
1. Eye protection
2. Sample to be tested
3. Ets Hach Company 562227 Phosphate Test Kit, found at amazon.com/gp/product/b004l... This particular kit is required because it has been validated for this test*
4. Three small test tubes with caps, 10-15mm x 100 mm, or similar vessels
5. Small cast iron frying pan
6. 2 oz / 50 ml water, distilled preferable
7. Miscellaneous kitchen utensils: spatula, funnel with coffee filter (paper towel will do for the filter), small measuring cup, small glass bowl
8. Optional - pinch of trisodium phosphate powder for positive control
*Other test kits would need to be validated with samples of P5P and pyridoxine before being relied upon.
Safety First - This is chemistry and we will be making something pretty hot so use eye protection.
Preliminary Tests
Negative Control
Fill one of the test tubes most of the way with water and add a packet of indicator powder from the phosphate test kit. Shake thoroughly and then wait 3 minutes. Solution should remain clear. (If not, the water contains phosphate and cannot be used)
Optional Positive Control
Now add a pinch of trisodium phosphate powder to the solution, shake, and again wait 3 minutes. Solution should now turn blue (If not it means the phosphate test is not working). Dispose of solution, rinse, and set test tube aside. Do not use again for main test.
Main Test
We are going to detach the phosphate from the rest of the putative P5P molecule so it can be detected by the phosphate test. The body does this at modest temperatures with enzymes. We do not have that ability and are going to simply oxidize everything that is not phosphate. (Phosphate, PO4, is already oxidized. )
Secure the stove area from curious small children and pets and let others who might use the kitchen know there will be something hot on the stove. Make sure there's nothing flammable in the immediate vicinity of the stove top.
Open the P5P capsule and pour the contents into the dry frying pan (If the P5P comes as a tablet, crush the tablet). Shake the frying pan back and forth to distribute the powder into a thin layer. Now set the frying pan onto the stove, turn it to maximum heat, and turn on the exhaust fan. The contents will start to smoke and eventually turn to black ash. Maintain the heat until the smoke stops, which will take about 10-15 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature.
Place the filter in the funnel. If you're using a paper towel for the filter dampen it and form it into shape. Now place the funnel into the small measuring cup. Use a spatula to loosen the powder in the frying pan and pour it onto the filter. Now add approximately 2 oz / 50 ml of water. Remove the funnel, and use the liquid in the measuring cup to fill the remaining two test tubes most of the way. Set one aside in the small glass bowl as a comparator. Open up a fresh packet of test powder and add it to the other test tube. Shake well and place next to the comparator. Wait 3 minutes. If the result is as shown in the image at top the test sample did contain phosphate so was presumably P5P. (Sample with indicator powder added is on the right.) If both remain the same color the test sample was not P5P.
If you do this let us know your result!
