Vitamin B6 To Promote Weight Loss

Vitamins are supplements to your diet, not substitutes for food. Food is the best source of nutrients, but vitamins can be helpful if there are nutrients missing from your food intake. Vitamin B-6, pyridoxine, is part of the B vitamin group, a water-soluble vitamin that must be replaced on a daily basis. Its many functions include nutrient metabolism, assisting your body in converting food to energy. Higher energy levels help burn higher amounts of calories. When the amount of calories you burn is higher than the amount of calories you eat, weight loss occurs.

Function

Vitamin B-6 functions to aid protein metabolism, red blood cell metabolism and oxygen transport to your body. It helps your body convert the food you eat to energy required for body functions and physical activity. In addition, the vitamin helps your nervous and immune systems, helping your body battle infections that may affect your health. A deficiency in vitamin B-6 may result in anemia, a condition characterized by a lack of iron and oxygen transport. Too much vitamin B-6 can lead to coordination problems, numbness and sensory changes.

Sources

Ample amounts of vitamin B-6 are found naturally in potatoes, bananas, beans and chicken. When fortified, most cereals provide the highest levels of the vitamin. With some low calorie diets, especially those high in protein or totaling fewer than 1,600 daily calories, your vitamin B-6 intake may be deficient. Supplements may be necessary to help maintain blood sugar levels, maintain sodium and potassium balances and relieve bloating. Recommended daily intake ranges between 1.2 mg for women to 1.4 mg for men. Take no more than 10 mg daily.

Weight Loss

Your body receives fewer calories and nutrients as you diet, which may lead to initial weight loss. As weight is lost, your body begins to lower its energy output, and ultimately, your metabolic rate declines, according to the book "Keep Moving: Fitness Through Aerobics and Step." If you do not take nutrients in through adequate food supplies, you must supplement them in vitamin form. Supplementing your diet with vitamin B-6 may elevate your energy levels and your metabolism. This may prevent weight loss plateaus, during which weight loss stops due to decreased metabolism.

Considerations

Adding exercise to weight loss programs can help vitamin supplementation and aid in achieving and maintaining weight loss totals. Individuals should consult a physician to be screened for health problems and vitamin deficiencies before starting a diet and exercise program.