| |
|
Vitamin Guide > Vitamins > Vitamin B6
|
| |
 |
Vitamin B6 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Vitamin B6 Definition |
Vitamin B6 is also known as Pyridoxine, a water soluble Vitamin.
It performs a wide variety of bodily functions and is probably more involved than any other vitamins and minerals.
It is essential for good health. It is needed by the body for production of hemoglobin and it helps increase the oxygen content in hemoglobin.
|
| |
Vitamin B6 Benefits |
Pyridoxine helps in production of antibodies required by the immune system to fight against various diseases.
It helps maintain normal nerve functions and in formation of RBCs. It helps maintain healthy lymphoid organs which make WBCs.
It is also required by the body to break down proteins so the more protein you eat, the more quantity of Vitamin B6 is required.
It also promotes proper breakdown of sugars and starches and helps maintain the blood glucose levels normal.
It helps prevent build-up of homocysteine in blood.
Recent studies have shown that high blood levels of homocysteine is associated with increased risks of heart attack, heart stroke and other complications leading to arteriosclerosis or hardening of arteries.
It also helps in relief from asthma attacks.
|
| |
Sources of Vitamin B6 |
Excellent sources of Vitamin B6 are capsicum (bell peppers) and spinach.
Other really good sources are chicken breast, fish and bananas.
It is also found in good quantities in beans, nuts, eggs, whole grains and legumes.
Today bread and cereals too are fortified with vitamin B6.
|
| |
Lack of Vitamin B6 |
The deficiency of Vitamin B6 can result in a form of anemia which is very similar to anemia caused due to iron deficiency.
Deficiency occurs due to poor quality diet and symptoms appear only after a prolonged poor intake.
Symptoms include dermatitis (skin inflammation), sore tongue, depression, confusion and convulsions.
It also causes a type of anemia when deficient.
In other words, the deficiency suppresses the immune system.
|
| |
Excess of Vitamin B6 |
|
Long term intake of high doses of Vitamin B6 may result in nerve damage.
|
| |
Precautions |
|
When consumed in a very high dose, it has been proved to interfere with some anti-convulsants and levodopa, a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease.
|
