Statin drugs have become very popular and are being widely prescribed in recent years to lower high blood cholesterol and thus reduce the risk for heart disease. These drugs block cholesterol production in the body by inhibiting the enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase. However, thousands of people have had to stop taking their statin medications because of the drug's side effects, such as pain and muscle weakness.

In a recent study, Tufts University researchers have suggested that deficient vitamin B6 levels in four groups namely, women of reproductive age especially current and former users of oral contraceptives; male smokers; non-Hispanic African-American men; and over-65s. These results are surprising since it generally thought that B6 deficiencies are rare in the US. The study, published in the May 2008 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, analyzed blood samples of a varied sample of 7822 men and women aged one year or older, some of whom were supplement users.