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Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) Benefits and Signs of Deficiency
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Benefits and Functions of Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): |
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Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) plays a role in over one hundred different biochemical process as a coenzyme. These processes include metabolizing glycogen and amino acids, producing nucleic acids, and producing and metabolizing hemoglobin. Vitamin B6 functions as a component of more bodily process than any other vitamin. Vitamin B6 helps the body to metabolize proteins and carbohydrates for energy. Vitamin B6, is used to aid the body in the processing of amino acids, It helps amino acids to be absorbed by the intestines, synthesized, and broken down. Pyridoxine aids in the conversion of tryptophan (an amino acid) into both niacin (vitamin B3) and serotonin (a brain chemical). It is critical for the production and synthesis of numerous body chemicals, including insulin, hemoglobin, neurotransmitters, enzymes, prostaglandins, histamine, dopamine, and adrenaline. Vitamin B6 helps to promote a healthy immune system and maintain proper immune system function. It is required for normal brain and central nervous system function. Pyridoxine is particularly crucial for maintaining the health of nerve and muscle cells It plays a critical role in the formation of both red and white blood cells. It also helps to guard the heart by inhibiting cholesterol deposits, Vitamin B6 is also needed for proper absorption of vitamin B12 to occur. |
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The risk of Vitamin B6 deficiency is very low due to the fact that nearly all foods contain at least some of the vitamin. Vitamin B6 deficiency most often results from a problem with the absorption of nutrients in the intestines. This can happen to due to chronic alcohol abuse or chronic diarrhea. Certain medications, like isoniazid, hydrolazine, penicillamine, may also disrupt the functioning of the vitamin. A deficiency of vitamin B6 can result in disruption in the normal functioning of the central nervous system. This can result in a variety of symptoms, including weakness, tingling sensations, loss of coordiation, confusion, seizures, depression, and insomnia. A pyridoxine deficiency can affect skin health and appearance. Symptoms can include seborrheic dermatitis, itchy skin, greasy skin, and flaking or peeling skin. A vitamin B6 deficiency can also lead to various problems of the tissues in and around the mouth. These problems can include cheilosis (cracking of skin around corners of mouth), glossitis (inflammation of tongue), stomatitis (sores in and around mouth), and cracked, painful lips. These symptoms are similar to those seen with deficiencies of vitamin B2 and vitamin B3, |
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Vitamin B6 is generally non-toxic at daily dosages of up to 200 milligrams per day for adults. Very large doses (over 200 milligrams a day) of vitamin B6 can result in nervous system disorders, including numbness in the legs and a loss of balance, if taken for extended periods of time. Vitamin B6 toxicity could cause damage to sense nerves, resulting in numbness in the extremities and limbs. Additional nervous system related symptons of an overdose of pyridoxine could include loss of coordination, trouble walking, decreased sensitive to touch and temperature, and fatigue. |
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