Vitamin B-6, also known as pyridoxine, is part of the B group of vitamins that are important to many of the body's functions. The B vitamins are water soluble, which means the body does not store them, needs a continuous supply of these vitamins, and excretes excess amounts in the urine. Vitamin B-6 is integral to maintain the body's good health.
Functions
The main function of the B vitamins is helping the body obtain energy. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the B vitamins help to convert carbohydrates, proteins and fats into energy for the body's metabolic needs. Vitamin B-6 is important for the nervous system, as it is involved in the production of neurotransmitters, the molecules used by the brain to communicate between neurons. Pyridoxine is also important in the production of hemoglobin, the molecules used by red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body.
Sources
Vitamin B-6 is found in many of the foods we eat. According to the NIH's Office of Dietary Supplements, common dietary sources of vitamin B-6 include fortified cereals, beans, meats, poultry and fish. Other sources of pyridoxine for children include potatoes, oatmeal, peanut butter and sunflower seeds. Vitamin B-6 is also found in multivitamins and other nutritional supplements. According to Medline Plus, the recommended daily intake of vitamin B-6 varies from 0.5 mg per day for children 1 to 3 three years old, to 1.0 mg per day for those aged 9 to 13.
Deficiency
Pyridoxine deficiency is rare in the United States, since it is found in so many of the foods you eat. It can still occur in the elderly and in children who have nutritionally deficient diets. Others at risk of deficiency include children who use theophylline to treat asthma, as this medicine decreases levels of vitamin B-6; and those who suffer from conditions such as cystic fibrosis that impair the absorption of nutrients from the gut. Signs of vitamin B deficiency include skin inflammation or dermatitis; a swollen tongue, also known as glossitis; confusion, and seizures.
Toxicity
Children taking mega doses of multivitamins can develop vitamin B-6 toxicity. This can happen in the setting of an accidental overdose, when a child takes a large amount of multivitamin thinking it is candy. Signs of pyridoxine toxicity include peripheral neuropathy, or damage to the nerves in the extremities and the body outside of the brain and the spinal cord. This causes a decrease in sensation and a sense of vibration.
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