Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine is part of the B group vitamins and is water-soluble
and is required for both mental and physical health.
Vitamin B6 - pyridoxine - is required for
Pyridoxine is required for the balancing of hormonal changes in women as well
as assisting the immune system and the growth of new cells. It is also used in the
processing and metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, while assisting with
controlling your mood as well as your behavior. Pyridoxine might also be of benefit
for children with learning difficulties, as well as assisting in the prevention
of dandruff, eczema and psoriasis.
It assists in the balancing of sodium and potassium as well promotes red blood
cell production. It is further involved in the nucleic acids RNA as well as DNA.
It is further linked to cancer immunity and fights the formation of the toxic chemical
homocysteine, which is detrimental to the heart muscle.
Women in particular may suffer from pre-menstrual fluid retention, severe period
pains, emotional PMS symptoms, premenstrual acne and nausea in early pregnancy.
Mood swings, depression as well as loss of sexual drive is sometimes noted when
pyridoxine is in short supply and the person is on hormone replacement therapy or
on birth control pills.
Deficiency of vitamin B6
Irritability, nervousness and insomnia as well as general weakness, skin changes
such as dermatitis and acne as well asthma and allergies might develop when pyridoxine
is in short supply. Symptoms may include nails that are ridged, an inflamed tongue
as well as changes to your bones - which can include osteoporosis and arthritis.
Kidney stones may also appear.
Vitamin B6 deficiency symptoms will be very much like those of B2 and B3. Vitamin
B6 is needed by the body to manufacture its own B3 vitamin.
Dosage
The dosage underneath is the Recommended
Dietary Allowance (RDA), but be aware that this dosage is the minimum that you
require per day, to ward off serious deficiency of this particular nutrient. In
the therapeutic use of this nutrient, the dosage is usually increased considerably,
but the toxicity level must be kept in mind.
Males 2 mg per day and females 2 mg per day.
Toxicity and symptoms of high intake
Supplementation should be controlled as extreme dosage, such as in excess of
2,000 mg per day, may cause neurological damage.
People on medication for Parkinson's disease should be careful about taking Vitamin
B6 as it can inactivate levodopa.
People taking pyridoxine late at night sometimes experience very vivid dreams.
Best used with
Pyridoxine should be taken together with the entire B group vitamins, and in
supplementation the quantity of B6 should be nearly the same as B2, as the B 2 is
needed to activate the Pyridoxine.
Vitamin C is a good partner in nutrition and magnesium, sodium, potassium, zinc,
linoleic acid and fatty acids make good running mates.
When more may be required
Should you be taking antidepressants, contraceptive pills or be on hormone replacement
therapy you may need more of this vitamin. As this vitamin is readily lost in the
urine, it must be taken regularly to ensure an adequate amount in the body.
Anybody on a very high protein diet, using alcohol, or allergic to MSG (mono
sodium glutamate) and/or tartrazine may also consider increasing their vitamin B6
intake.
Enemy of vitamin B6
Pyridoxine is sensitive to sunlight, cooking and processing Cortisone is known
to impair the absorption of pyridoxine.
Other interesting points
Exercising may aid the production of the active form of vitamin B6.
Food sources of vitamin B6
Good sources to obtain pyridoxine from are brewer's yeast, eggs, chicken, carrots,
fish, liver, kidneys, peas, wheat germ, walnuts,
Vitamin B6 contained in the following Zest for Life� products
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