What Is Vitamin B6 Called

Foods High In Vitamin B6

Your body isnt able to store very much B6. To avoid deficiency, you need to consume it on a regular basis.

This is generally not hard to do, as B6 is widely found in many animal and plant foods. In addition, its often added to fortified foods like breakfast cereals and nutrition bars.

The reference daily intake for vitamin B6 for non-pregnant adults is 1.7 mg .

Here are some of the top foods that naturally supply B6, as well as common serving sizes :

27 ).

Nerve problems from B6 deficiency are reversible with adequate B6 intake. On the other hand, nerve problems from B6 toxicity may be more difficult to treat.

Summary Burning, shooting pains in your limbs, hands and feet can be caused by nerve damage from B6 deficiency or overdose.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Vitamin B6

Treatment Of Vitamin B6 Deficiency

• Correction of the cause

• Vitamin B6 supplements

Causes of vitamin B6 deficiency are corrected when possible.

If people have the deficiency or if they are taking a drug that depletes vitamin B6 in the body, they should take vitamin B6 supplements by mouth. Taking vitamin B6 supplements usually corrects the deficiency in adults.

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How Is Pyridoxine Deficiency Diagnosed

can be diagnosed by clinical evaluation and physical examination. Clinicians may look for the key signs of deficiency, including dermatological findings, presence of altered mental status, and peripheral neuropathy. They can also take a focused history and obtain records of nutritional intake, supplement use, and medication history. Also critically important is eliciting a history of increased risk, including those with malabsorption syndromes, such as , , or history of bariatric surgery.

Vitamin B: Benefits Sources Dosage Side Effects

Getting adequate amounts of vitamin B6 is important for optimal health and may even prevent and treat chronic diseases. Among other functions, vitamin B6 helps keep the brain healthy, helps with energy supply to the body, and can treat pregnancy-induced nausea. Though vitamin B6 has many benefits, taking too much can have side effects. Thats why its best to balance this B vitamin.

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Vitamin B6 And The Brain

Vitamin B6 is essential to the brain and nervous system. It helps create neurotransmitters, the brains chemical messengers, like dopamine, serotonin, and GABA.

Even mild deficiencies of these neurotransmitters can lead to changes in your day-to-day life. For instance, not enough GABA can affect your sleep. Low amounts of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA can affect your mood.

Vitamin B6 also helps regulate energy in the brain and might help protect the brain against inflammation, which is linked to dementia and cognitive decline. .

How Long Does It Take To Overcome Vitamin B6 Deficiency

Most nutritional deficiencies take up to 6 months to resolve with proper treatment. Patients can observe improvements before this time as well, depending on the treatment procedure. The exact time required to correct vitamin B6 deficiency entirely depends on the nutrient level in a body and the severity of the condition.

The above discourse on vitamin B6 deficiency, symptoms, and causes will hopefully help in the early identification of such a condition. Accordingly, Individuals can take necessary precautions to avoid a deficiency or consult a professional for recovery.

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What Is The Structure Of B6

Vitamin B6 is made up of three compounds: pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine. Pyridoxine contains a methylhydroxyl group , pyridoxal an aldehyde , and pyridoxamine an aminomethyl group , as shown below. All three forms can be activated by being phosphorylated.

What disease is caused by vitamin B6 deficiency?

Vitamin B6 deficiency is associated with microcytic anemia, electroencephalographic abnormalities, dermatitis with cheilosis and glossitis , depression and confusion, and impaired function. weakened immune .

What should you know about vitamin B6?

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin that your body needs for several functions.

What are the functions of vitamin B5?

Also read: Vitamin B5: Functions, Dietary Sources, Deficiencies and Toxicity The two active forms of vitamin B6, namely PLP and PMP, contribute as coenzymes to several enzymatic reactions, including the metabolism of amino acids, glucose and lipids.

What Does The Department Of Health And Social Care Advise

You should be able to get the amount of niacin you need by eating a varied and balanced diet.

If you take niacin supplements, do not take too much as this might be harmful.

Taking 17mg or less of nicotinic acid supplements a day, or 500mg or less of nicotinamide supplements a day, is unlikely to cause any harm.

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What Happens If I Take Too Much Vitamin B6

When taking a supplement, its important not to take too much.

Taking 200mg or more a day of vitamin B6 can lead to a loss of feeling in the arms and legs known as peripheral neuropathy.

This will usually improve once you stop taking the supplements.

But in a few cases when people have taken large amounts of vitamin B6, particularly for more than a few months, the effect can be permanent.

The effect of taking vitamin B6 at doses between 10 and 200 mg is unclear. So theres not enough evidence to say how long these doses could be taken for safely.

Folate And Folic Acid

Folate is a B vitamin found in many foods. The manmade form of folate is called folic acid.

Folate is also known as folacin and vitamin B9.

Folate helps:

• the body form healthy red blood cells
• reduce the risk of birth defects called neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, in unborn babies

A lack of folate could lead to folate deficiency anaemia.

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Important Information About All Medicines

B6 Vs B12 And Other B Vitamins

B vitamins like vitamin B6 and B12 are essential for many aspects of health, including the conversion of food into usable energy by the body. They are also involved with the production of red blood cells, nerve function and hormone synthesis. Additionally, B vitamins are found in many of the same sources and are especially high in animal products like meat, poultry and seafood.

However, there are also important differences that set these key vitamins apart, and one of the biggest differences is in the way that low levels affect health. While a deficiency in vitamin B6 can cause symptoms like fatigue, irritability and muscle pains, low levels of vitamin B12 can cause issues like anemia and cognitive impairment. Conversely, consuming very high doses of vitamin B6 through supplementation is also more likely to result in adverse symptoms like nerve damage while high doses of vitamin B12 can generally be consumed with minimal risk of side effects.

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Managing Pain & Inflammation

Inflammation is a major factor in persistent pain and it is also at the root of many diseases, such as arthritis. Vitamin B6 may help resolve persistent inflammation in the body by supporting its natural ability to heal from damage. Research states that it may help reduce inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis .

Vitamin B6 may also be a blessing for patients who suffer from PMS. Research indicates vitamin B6 works with neurotransmitters to create a better balance in the chemicals responsible for pain management. In studies, female patients reported a reduction in period cramps, nausea, fatigue, headaches and even acne with vitamin B6 supplements .

If We Dont Get Enough

People who dont get enough vitamin B6 may develop skin problems or anemia, experience confusion, depression, and convulsions. The immune system can be affected, making it harder to fight disease.

Since this vitamin is found in many foods, vitamin B6 deficiency is rare. However, use of certain medications like levodopa or isoniazid can cause a deficiency. People who eat very high-protein diets may have a higher requirement for vitamin B6.

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What Is The Function Of Vitamin B6 In Animals

Functions. Vitamin B6 plays a role in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, the production of neurotransmitters and the formation of nicotinic acid. It is vital for maintaining a healthy nervous system, skin, muscles and blood.

What are the functional groups of vitamin B6?

It is important to note that vitamin B6 is the collective term for a group of three related compounds, pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine, and their phosphorylated derivatives, pyridoxine 5-phosphate, pyridoxal 5-phosphate and pyridoxamine 5-phosphate.

What are examples of vitamin B6?

Vitamin B6 is found in a wide variety of foods, including:

• poultry, such as chicken or turkey.
• some fish.

In what food is B6 found?

The richest sources of vitamin B6 are fish, beef liver and other organ meats, potatoes and other starches, and fruits . In the United States, adults get most of their dietary vitamin B6 from fortified cereals, beef, poultry, starchy foods, and some non-citrus fruits. .

What Are The Signs Of A Vitamin B6 Deficiency

Vitamin B6 deficiency can lead to nerve damage in the hands and feet. Cervical dysplasia has been linked to a low intake of several B vitamins including pyridoxine, and people with alcoholism, cirrhosis, hyperthyroidism and congestive heart failure may experience deficiencies more often. Some symptoms of a vitamin B6 deficiency include dermatitis, cracked and sore lips, inflamed tongue and mouth, confusion, depression and insomnia.

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Diagnosis Of Vitamin B6 Deficiency

• History and physical examination

• Response to vitamin B6 supplements

The diagnosis of vitamin B6 deficiency is based on symptoms, the presence of conditions that can cause the deficiency, and response to vitamin B6 supplements.

Blood tests may be done, but no routine blood test can clearly confirm the diagnosis.

Signs And Symptoms Of Vitamin B6 Deficiency

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is one of eight vitamins in the B complex group. Even though it was discovered in 1932, scientists are still learning new things about it.

Most people get enough B6 in their diet, but if you are deficient in other B complex vitamins, such as folate and B12, youre more likely to be deficient in vitamin B6 as well .

Vitamin B6 deficiency is more common in people with liver, kidney, digestive or autoimmune diseases, as well as smokers, obese people, alcoholics and pregnant women .

In your body, B6 is involved in more than 150 enzyme reactions. These help your body process the protein, carbs and fat you eat. B6 is also closely linked with the functions of your nervous and immune systems .

More recently, its been found that B6 has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This means that it may play a role in helping prevent chronic conditions like heart disease and cancer (

Here are 9 signs and symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency.

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What Are The Side Effects Of Vitamin B6

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives difficult breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• loss of balance or coordination
• numbness in your feet or around your mouth
• clumsiness in your hands or
• feeling tired.

Common side effects may include:

• drowsiness or
• mild numbness or tingling.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Tiredness And Low Energy

A vitamin B6 deficiency can leave you feeling unusually tired and sluggish.

A big reason is vitamin B6s role in helping make hemoglobin. Thats the protein in your red blood cells that helps carry oxygen throughout your body.

If your cells dont get enough oxygen as a result of too little hemoglobin, its called anemia. That can make you feel tired and weak.

There have been select cases of B6-related anemia in which taking the inactive pyridoxine hydrochloride form of the vitamin didnt help. However, supplementing with the bodys most active form of B6, called pyridoxal 5-phosphate , resolved the anemia (

27 ).

Nerve problems from B6 deficiency are reversible with adequate B6 intake. On the other hand, nerve problems from B6 toxicity may be more difficult to treat.

Summary Burning, shooting pains in your limbs, hands and feet can be caused by nerve damage from B6 deficiency or overdose.

Symptoms Of Vitamin B6 Deficiency

In adults, vitamin B6 deficiency can cause inflammation of the skin and a red, greasy, scaly rash. The hands and feet may feel numb and pricklinglike pins and needles. The tongue may become sore and red, and cracks may form in the corners of the mouth. People may become confused, irritable, and depressed. They may have seizures.

Rarely, vitamin B6 deficiency causes seizures in infants. Antiseizure drugs may be ineffective in treating these seizures in infants.

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What Happens If I Take In Excess Vitamin B6

While vitamin B6 toxicity does not usually occur by taking excessive foods that contain the vitamin, taking excessive dietary supplements can cause it.

The below table shows the daily threshold value of vitamin B6 in various groups of people:

The following are the signs of Vitamin B6 toxicity:

• Loss of nervous control.

Absorption Metabolism And Excretion

Vitamin B6 is absorbed in the jejunum of the small intestine by passive diffusion. Even extremely large amounts are well absorbed. Absorption of the phosphate forms involves their dephosphorylation catalyzed by the enzyme alkaline phosphatase. Most of the vitamin is taken up by the liver. There, the dephosphorylated vitamins are converted to the phosphorylated PLP, PNP and PMP, with the two latter converted to PLP. In the liver, PLP is bound to proteins, primarily albumin. The PLP-albumin complex is what is released by the liver to circulate in plasma. Protein-binding capacity is the limiting factor for vitamin storage. Total body stores, the majority in muscle, with a lesser amount in liver, have been estimated to be in the range of 61 to 167 mg.

Enzymatic processes utilize PLP as a phosphate-donating cofactor. PLP is restored via a salvage pathway that requires three key enzymes, pyridoxal kinase, pyridoxine 5′-phosphate oxidase, and phosphatases. Inborn errors in the salvage enzymes are known to cause inadequate levels of PLP in the cell, particularly in neuronal cells. The resulting PLP deficiency is known to cause or implicated in several pathologies, most notably infant epileptic seizures.

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How To Take Vitamin B6

Use Vitamin B6 ) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Pyridoxine tablets are taken by mouth. Injectable pyridoxine is injected into a muscle or into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used.

The recommended dietary allowance of pyridoxine increases with age. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. You may also consult the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health, or the U.S. Department of Agriculture Nutrient Database listings for more information.

Pyridoxine may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes a special diet. Follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor. Get familiar with the list of foods you should eat or avoid to help control your condition.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not Use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.