Pyridoxine, or vitamin B6, is an essential vitamin for health. Pyridoxine, along with the other B vitamins, is a water-soluble vitamin. This means it is readily excreted in the urine, making it important to obtain pyridoxine as a regular part of the diet. Good food sources of pyridoxine include cereal grains, poultry, milk, beans and fish. Pyridoxine has many important functions within the body.
Energy Utilization
One of pyridoxine's major roles is to facilitate the body's utilization of energy. Pyridoxine allows carbohydrates, fats and proteins to be metabolized to fuel the body. It even plays a role in maintaining blood sugar levels through assisting in the uptake of stored glucose when blood sugar levels fall. In addition, pyridoxine takes part in converting the amino acid tryptophan into niacin, which is another B vitamin.
Red Blood Cell Production
Pyridoxine plays an important role in the production of red blood cells within the body. Red blood cells are responsible for oxygen transport within the blood. A deficiency of pyridoxine may lead to decreased red blood cell production, leading to the onset of anemia. The form of anemia caused by pyridoxine deficiency is similar to iron-deficiency anemia, says the Office of Dietary Supplements, a division of the National Institutes of Health.
Homocysteine Reduction
There is evidence that individuals with low pyridoxine intake have a higher risk of developing heart disease. The mechanism of this relationship is not entirely clear, though it may be related to pyridoxine's ability to reduce levels of homocysteine within the blood. Homocysteine is an amino acid that, when elevated in the bloodstream, is associated with increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Despite this relationship, there is no clear evidence that taking pyridoxine to decrease homocysteine levels will necessarily reduce the risk of heart disease, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Inflammation Reduction
Some research evidence has shown pyridoxine to be beneficial in reducing inflammation associated with inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Individuals suffering from chronic inflammation may actually require more pyridoxine in their diets, as inflammation may decrease levels of pyridoxine in the body. Along the same lines, a deficiency of pyridoxine may cause dermatitis, or inflammation of the skin.
Neurotransmitter Production
Pyridoxine also takes part in the production of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, epinephrine and melatonin, which are important signaling chemicals for the nervous system. Serotonin and epinephrine are neurotransmitters that affect mood, while melatonin is important for regulating sleep cycles. As of 2010, preliminary research is being conducted to investigate pyridoxine's effect on nervous system disorders, such as depression, seizures, migraine headaches and Parkinson's disease.
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