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Vitamin B6 is the primary vitamin for processing amino acids used
in production of proteins and is also needed to make a variety of
hormones including serotonin, melatonin, and
dopamine.
Vitamin B6 is a group of the three related
compounds pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine, and their
phosphorylated derivatives pyridoxine 5'-phosphate, pyridoxal
5'-phosphate, and pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate. Although all of these
compounds should technically be referred to as vitamin B6, the term
vitamin B6 is usually used interchangeably with just one of the
vitamers, pyridoxine. Vitamin B6 plays a role in a variety of
biochemical reactions in the human body including the metabolism of
amino acids and glycogen, the synthesis of nucleic acids,
hemoglobin, sphingomyelin and other sphingolipids, and the
biosynthesis of neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine,
norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid
(GABA).
While vitamin B6 deficiency is not common in most
developed regions of the world, it still occurs. Typical symptoms of
vitamin B6 deficiency are microcytic, hypochromic anemia, seizures,
dermatitis, confusion, and depression. Vitamin B6 deficiencies in
infants are usually demonstrated by electroencephalogram
abnormalities and seizures, while in adults B6 deficiency symptoms
include chapped and cracked lips, tongue inflammation, stomotitis,
anemia, irritability, confusion, and depression. Unfortunately,
these symptoms are not limited only to vitamin B6 deficiencies.
Vitamin B6 deficiency usually is a result of a malabsorption
syndrome, uremia, cancer, cirrhosis, alcoholism, old age, and
pregnancy.
When taken with folic acid and
vitamin B12,
vitamin B6 can control homocysteine levels. Abnormal levels of
homocysteine have been linked to heart disease and stroke as well as
to osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease.
Vitamin B6 can be
found naturally in a number of foods including red meat, poultry,
fish, eggs, white potatoes and other vegetable, non-citrus fruits,
cereals, and soy-based meat substitutes.
Supplemental vitamin
B6 may be helpful for use in connection with:
- Anemia - if deficient and for genetic vitamin B6-responsive
anemia
- Autism
- Homocysteine - in combination with folic acid
and vitamin
B12
- Morning sickness
- Premenstrual Syndrome
Dosage and
Administration
The optimum intake of supplemental
vitamin B6 is not known. Typical doses of pyridoxine used for
nutritional supplementation range from 2 to 20
milligrams/day.
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