Health and Fitness Hints

Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine is another water soluble vitamin and a member of the B complex vitamins. The vitamin is actually three compounds: pyridoxal, pyridoxine and pyridoxamine all of which can become the active B6. A daily supply is necessary as it is not stored and excreted in the urine within eight hours from ingestion. Vitamin B6 plays a very important role as a coenzyme in more than 100 enzymatic reactions.

Vitamin B6 is required for the proper utilization of carbohydrates, fats and proteins; a master vitamins for processing amino acids. Other important functions and requirements of this vitamin are: absorption of vitamin B12, production of red blood cells, production of antibodies, release of glycogen for energy needs, production of hydrochloric acid and synthesis of RNA and DNA. Pyridoxine also helps in the maintenance of sodium- potassium balance and normal musculoskeletal and nervous functions.

The best sources of vitamin B6 are whole grains and meats. A number of medications such as L-DOPA for the treatment of Parkinson and tuberculosis medications reduce the concentration of the vitamin in the blood in which case, extra vitamin B6 may advisable with the guidance of a physician. Additionally, the need of extra vitamin B6 may be increased in cases of alcoholism, exposure to radiation, cardiac failure, pregnant women with preeclampsia, during lactation periods and with age.

Daily Recommendation of Vitamin B6

The daily recommendation has been estimated to be 1.1mg/day between the ages of 19 to 50. For men over 50 the recommendation is for 1.7mg/day and for women over 50 is for 1.5mg/day. It is important to avoid very high daily doses of the vitamin as intake of 2 to 6 grams per day for to two or more months could create irreversible nerve damage, as can also be the case for long term intakes for more than 200mg/day.

The adult upper level is set at 100 mg/day based on the knowledge of such damage. Vitamin B6 like all other B Vitamins if taken alone in large doses for long periods of time it may result in loses of other vitamin B vitamins such as Vitamin B9, Vitamin B12, etc. Always consult your health care provider before begin any therapeutic program.

Health and Fitness Best an online Health Choice Destination.

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!