Vitamin B-6 exists in three forms -- pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine. More than 100 bodily functions rely on vitamin B-6. Like all B vitamins, B-6 plays an essential role in metabolizing fats, carbohydrates and proteins for use as energy. The best source for vitamin B-6 is your diet. If you take a supplement, do so with your doctor's knowledge. Your doctor will advise you when to stop taking vitamin B-6 supplements.
Vitamin B-6
Vitamin B-6 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a role in numerous body systems. To function efficiently, your immune system requires vitamin B-6 to help maintain the spleen, thymus and lymph nodes and their efforts to make white blood cells. B-6 keeps your blood glucose levels within normal range and helps manage homocysteine, a substance linked to heart disease. It makes neurotransmitters that send signals between brain cells and is vital for brain function and growth and the making of hemoglobin. Vitamin B-6 is needed for life-time health, but take supplements under your doctor's supervision.
Vitamin B-6 Deficiency
Severe vitamin B-6 deficiency is rare, but B-6 insufficiency may have several consequences including high homocysteine levels that may result in cardiovascular disease; lowered immune function and decreased antibodies resulting in increased infections, especially in the elderly; impaired memory and Alzheimer's; depression due to low serotonin levels; anemia that resembles iron deficient anemia; and a possible link with kidney stone development.
Vitamin B-6 and Disease Prevention
Vitamin B-6 may boost your immune system and lower your risk of heart attack. It is used to treat the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome -- irritability, depression, fatigue, moodiness, tenderness of the breasts and water retention. B-6 is also used for relieving morning sickness and reducing the swelling and other symptoms of carpal tunnel. Vitamin B-6, and any other supplement, should not replace conventional medication. Take vitamin B-6 with your doctor's supervision. If your doctor has prescribed vitamin B-6 for your condition, she will advise you when to stop taking it.
Dosage and Sources of Vitamin B-6
The 1998, and most current, recommended dietary allowance for vitamin B-6 is 1.3 mg daily for adults between the ages of 19 and 50. For those older, the RDA is 1.7 mg for men and 1.5 mg for women. Vitamin B-6 can be found in fortified cereals, bananas, wild salmon, turkey, light chicken, spinach and roasted hazelnuts.
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