Pyridoxine is An Absolute Requirement for Energy and Life!

Basic Info about Pyridoxine

Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is an all-encompassing term for the three P's: pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine which are all derived from the organic chemical pyridine. What does this mean? They can all be used to form the vital compound known as pyrodixal phosphate (PLP), which is critically involved in reactions with amino acids. For example, the interconversion of glutamate and aspartate, serine to pyruvate and histidine to histamine (an important component of inflammation). These are all reactions that result in the formation of NADH, an absolutely essential component for carbohydrate metabolism to function properly.

Recommended Daily Allowance for Vitamin B6

The recommended intake of any vitamin depends on age, body type and gender. Here's a short table to help illustrate your body's requirements of the vitamin.

Recommended Daily Intake of vitamin B6 (mg)
Infants	0.3-0.7
Children	1.0-1.4
Adult Males	1.5-2.0
Adult Females	1.3-1.7
Pregnant/Lactating	2.0-2.2

Here are some excellent sources of vitamin B6...

Food Sources for vitamin B6
Fish	Meats
Poultry	Whole Grains
Sweet and White Potatoes	Bananas
Watermelon	Corn
Egg Yolk	Liver
Prunes	Spinach

Vitamin B6 Overdose/Excess

Don't overdo this one! Taking more than about 2.0 grams (a.k.a. 2000mg -- the above table is in mg!) per day can cause neurological problems (e.g. numbness in the extremeties). The condition can be improved somewhat when the diet is discontinued.

Vitamin B6 Deficiency

In most cases, a deficiency in vitamin B6 is rare, so don't worry too much! But a deficiency be detrimental. Symptoms similar to a Niacin (B3) and Riboflavin deficiency may result including itchiness/rashes, anxiety, and possible anemia (a loss of functional red blood cell volume).

This deficiency can be accelerated by the drug "Isoniazid" which is used to treat tuberculosis. Supplementation in this case is often necessary since the drug inhibits vitamin B6 absorption in the intestine.

Newborns have also been found with B6 deficiencies when fed formulas low in the vitamin, conceived by alcoholics and sometimes when the mother takes oral contraceptives.

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