Every vitamin and mineral comes with a recommended daily allowance, used as a guideline to maintain good health, and vitamin B-6, a member of the B complex family, is no exception. Doctors might prescribe more than the recommended allowance of vitamin B-6 if there is a deficiency or the risk of one. The highest dose a physician can prescribe of vitamin B-6 or any other vitamin is the tolerable upper limit.
Identification
Vitamin B-6 helps to control the immune system and also is involved in cell growth in the production of hemoglobin. Vitamin B-6 also helps to regulate blood sugar levels. When the body is low in calories, B-6 helps convert stored carbohydrates into glucose, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.
Recommended Daily Allowance
Food sources of vitamin B-6 include cereal, potatoes, bananas, garbanzo beans, oatmeal, trout, spinach and avocado. Vitamin B-6 is available in a single supplement form or combined in a multivitamin. The recommended dietary allowance of vitamin B-6 for adults aged 19 to 50 is 1.3 mg per day. Adult men over 51 require 1.7 mg per day and women over 51 require 1.5 mg per day. Women need 1.9 mg during pregnancy and 2 mg when breastfeeding, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.
Tolerable Upper Level
The tolerable upper limit is the highest dose that can be given of any vitamin without having a toxic effect. The tolerable upper limit of vitamin B-6 is 100 mg per day. The tolerable upper limit often is prescribed to people with vitamin deficiencies; this amount should not be taken unless instructed by a physician. Taking high levels of vitamins over a long period can result in chronic vitamin toxicity.
Warnings
If you've taking too much vitamin B-6, you might experience nausea, headache, constipation or diarrhea, as well as dizziness or fainting. Untreated vitamin B-6 overdose can result in permanent nerve damage in the arms and legs. Contact the Poison Control Center if you've taking too much vitamin B-6.
Member Comments