Pyridoxine is one of the eight B complex vitamins needed for optimal health. You may know pyridoxine by another name--vitamin B6. You need pyridoxine so that your body can convert carbohydrates into the fuel that gives you energy, says the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. Pyridoxine also aids in proper functioning of your nervous system.
More About Vitamin B6
Pyridoxine, or vitamin B6, is a water-soluble vitamin found in many food sources, says the UMMC. Pyridoxine serves numerous functions; it helps you metabolize fats and proteins and encourages healthy hair, skin, eyes and liver functioning. This vitamin helps your central nervous system by helping you produce neurotransmitters that allow signals to be delivered from one nerve to another. Pyridoxine helps you produce serotonin and norepinephrine, which influence your mood, as well as melatonin, which regulates your "internal clock," including your sleep-wake cycle. When used in conjunction with vitamins B12 and B9, pyrodoxine controls the amino acids in your body that can cause heart disease. Pyridoxine helps you absorb vitamin B12, encouraging blood cell production and a healthier immune system.
Pyridoxine and Medical Conditions
According to the National Institutes of Health, your doctor may recommend that you take pyridoxine to treat a vitamin B6 deficiency, caused by a poor diet or use of certain medications. It may be beneficial for certain medical conditions, including heart disease, premenstrual syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, morning sickness, depression, rheumatoid arthritis and Parkinson's disease, says the UMMC. However, clinical trials assessing the effectiveness of pyridoxine on many of these medical conditions is limited. Always talk to your doctor before taking pyridoxine supplements to address a specific medical concern.
Recommended Dietary Allowance
According to the NIH's Office of Dietary Supplements, the Recommended Dietary Allowance, or RDA, of vitamin B6 varies, depending on your age and gender. Men and women between the ages of 19 and 50 need 1.3mg of pyridoxine. Men aged 51 years and older need 1.7mg, and women in this age group require 1.5mg. Pregnant women of all ages need 1.9mg of pyridoxine, and nursing mothers need 2.0mg.
Food Sources
Pyridoxine is found in many different foods, says the ODS, including fortified cereals, beans, meat, fish, poultry and some vegetables and fruits. Foods per serving that contain 25 percent or more of the Daily Value for vitamin B6 include: 1/2 cup of 100 percent fortified ready-to-eat cereal; a medium-sized baked potato; a medium-sized raw banana; 1/2 cup canned garbanzo beans; one-half of a cooked chicken breast; and 3/4 cup of 25 percent fortified cereal.
Dietary Supplements
According to the ODS, vitamin B6 deficiency isn't common in the United States, although older adults may not get the amount they need due to poor diet. If you eat a balanced, healthy diet, you probably don't need pyridoxine supplements, says the UMMC. Dietary supplements are sold in many forms, including tablets, gels and lozenges. Other names pyridoxine supplements are sold under include vitamin B6, pyridoxal, pyridoxine hydrochloride, pyridoxamine and pyridoxal-5-phosphate, according to the UMMC. Keep in mind that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies this vitamin as a dietary supplement, not a drug. Pyridoxine supplements cannot make marketing claims to treat or cure a specific medical condition. Talk to your doctor if you're concerned you have nutritional deficiencies.
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