Vitamin B6

Definition

Vitamin B6, otherwise known as pyridoxine, is an important vitamin for processing and creating energy in the body. The active version of this vitamin, pyridoxal phosphate, is necessary for the activity of over 100 different enzymes in the body, making this vitamin crucial for the production of energy in cells.

Health considerations

A deficiency in Vitamin B6 can cause depression, headaches, confusion, numbness and tingling in the extremities, poor growth, decreased immune function, anemia, and seizures. There has been no evidence of toxicity due to overconsumption of Vitamin B6 through food, but supplements are a different matter. In fact, some studies have shown that high doses of Vitamin B6 supplements can make it difficult to walk and cause numbness and nerve damage.

May be found in

Chicken, fish, pork, organ meats, whole-wheat products, brown rice, soybeans, sunflower seeds, bananas, broccoli, spinach

References

Nutrition: Science and Applications

Alternative Spellings and Names

Vit B6, Pyridoxine, Pyridoxal, or Pyridoxamine, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride