Vitamin B6, one of the eight essential B vitamins, aids in the production of brain chemicals that signal normal development of hormones influencing mood and sleep. It also works along with the other B vitamins in metabolizing foods into energy. You can get adequate amounts of B6 through a well-balanced diet or from a supplement. Consult your physician before taking supplements because supplemental vitamin B6 has contraindications.
Contraindications
Vitamin B6 supplements contain the active ingredient pyridoxine hydrochloride, a colorless or white crystalline powder. The supplement is contraindicated if you are allergic to this ingredient or any additional chemicals in the formulation. Read product labeling for additional ingredients in the supplement. Pregnant or breast-feeding women should not take vitamin B6 supplements in high doses because it can cause seizures in the baby. Long-term use of vitamin B6 supplements that exceed the daily recommended intake may cause nerve damage and neurological disorders including sensation loss in the limbs. Consult your physician before taking vitamin B6 supplements .
Drug Interactions
Vitamin B6 speeds up the metabolism of the anti-convulsant medication phenytoin in your body causing the medication to become less effective and increasing your risk of seizures. You may also experience sensitivity to sunlight when taking vitamin B6 supplements. Combining the supplement with the anti-arrhythmic medication amiodarone increases your risk of sunburn, blistering or rashes with light sun exposure. The central nervous system agent levodopa, used to treat neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease, interacts with vitamin B6, which increases the risk of tremors, spasms and poor muscle control. Consult your physician before taking vitamin B6 supplements.
Daily Intake and Limits
The daily recommended intake of vitamin B6 for adult males is 1.3 to 1.7 mg and for females it is 1.3 to 1.5 mg. Pregnant or lactating women are recommended to consume 1.9 to 2.0 mg per day. The tolerable upper intake level for vitamin B6 supplements should not exceed 100 mg per day. Adverse effects from exceeding the upper intake level from supplements is a safety concern, notes the Linus Pauling Institute. High dose use of supplements may be indicated in treating heart disease or related conditions but should not be attempted without physician consultation.
Vitamin B6 Sources
Foods rich in vitamin B6 include meat, vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains. Salmon, tuna turkey, chicken and pork provide 0.39 to 0.51 mg per 3-oz. serving. Spinach, greens, and bean varieties yield 0.14 to 0.57 mg per 1/2 cup serving. Bananas, raisins, peanuts, walnuts and soybeans range from 0.05 to 0.68 mg per serving size. Whole grains are rich in vitamin B6 and include oatmeal, wheat products and fortified cereals with 0.18 to 2.0 mg per serving.
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