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Writer's pictureShravani Kulkarni

Boosting Your Health with Vitamin B6: Everything You Need to Know


Vitamin B6

INTRODUCTION:


It is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in many foods, added to other, and available as a dietary supplement. There are 3 types of vitamin B6 pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine. They are found in foods like cereals, legumes, eggs and commonly found in vitamin B complex. 

Vitamin B6 is taken for the proper functioning of sugars, fats, and proteins in the body. It’s also necessary for the proper development of the brain, nerves, skin, and many other parts of the body.


Some of the vitamin B6 are found in:


Vitamin B6

How to take Vitamin B6:

the recommended daily intake of vitamin B6 for adults 50 and younger is 1.3 milligrams. After age 50 years, the recommended or advised dose daily amount is 1.5 milligrams for women and 1.7 milligrams for men. Taking vitamin B6 daily is safe with recommend dose of 101-200 mg daily. 


Uses of Vitamin B6:


Vitamin B6

Duration of two doses of Vitamin B6:

Taking vitamin B6 daily is safe and secure but at what amount you should take it daily is a concerned question! So, vitamin B6 usually safe in amounts of 200 to 500 mg per day, although occasional problems have been reported in this range. Higher amounts of in taking is really dangerous to health. Any adult taking more than 200mg of vitamin B6 per day for more than a few months should consult a doctor. 


Storage for Vitamin B6:

Store it In a cool or dry place at controlled room temperature 15-30°C and protect it from moisture. 


Side effects Vitamin B6:

there are some side effects causing harm to body. But knowing the symptoms is mandatory for maintaining ourselves is most important, if you take high amounts of vitamin B6 then,  

  • Painful 

  • Unsightly skin patches 

  • Extreme sensitivity to sunlight 

  • Nausea

  • Heartburn 

Vitamin B6

Drug mechanism of Vitamin B6:

Pharmacokinetics - 

Pyridoxine is easily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and has high bioavailability. It is primarily stored in the liver but can also be found in smaller amounts in the brain, muscles, and milk. Pyridoxine undergoes inactivation in the liver, forming 4-pyridoxic acid. This inactive form is excreted in the urine with an elimination half-life of approximately 15 to 20 days.

Pharmacodynamics 

PLP catalyzes various reactions in the body, speeding them up due to its electron-withdrawing properties. Vitamin B6 is metabolized in the small intestine and converted into PLP by enzymes. PLP is circulated throughout the body, attached to albumin or carried by hemoglobin. It is transformed into active PLP inside target tissues and bound to proteins for protection.


Allergic reactions of Vitamin B6:

There are some common symptoms related to allergic reactions, 

  • Skin rash

  • Itching

  • Hives

  • Swelling on the face, lips, tongue, or throat

  • Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet

Vitamin B6

Safety Measures:


Vitamin B6

When to see doctor: 

Many people taking vitamin b6 medications do not have serious side effects. But pyridoxine can cause side effects when taken in large doses for longer time. 

If you have side effects like

  • Headache 

  • Nausea

  • Drowsiness

  • Numbness

  • Tingling of arm/leg 


Available dosage form:

Take dosage of medication as prescribed by doctor 

These doses are available in the market and are provided for the reference 

Tablets – 25 mg, 50mg, 100mg, 250mg, 500mg 

Tablets, extended release – 200mg 

Capsule – 250mg 

Pediatric

<6 months: 0.1 mg/day

6-12 months: 0.3 mg/day

1-3 years: 0.5 mg/day

3-8 years: 0.6 mg/day

8-13 years: 1 mg/day

13-18 years: 1.3 mg/day (male); 1.5 mg/day (female)

Males 

Less than 50 years old; 1.3mg/day

More than 50 years old; 1.7mg/day 

Females 

less than 50 years old; 1.3mg/day 

more than 50 years old; 1.5mg/day 

Pregnant women – 1.9mg/day

Lactation – 2mg. 


Important note:

  1. Vitamin b6 is involved in brain development during pregnancy during pregnancy and infancy as well as immune function. 

  2. Vitamin B6 helps the body to make several neurotransmitters

  3. It is most helpful for babies, children to break down the carbohydrates, proteins etc, for proper metabolism 

Vitamin B6

Available brands:


Vitamin B6

Reference: 

  1. ods.od.nig.gov

  2. SNELL EE. Chemical structure in relation to biological activities of vitamin B6. Vitam Horm. 1958;16:77-125. 

  3. RABINOWITZ JC, SNELL EE. The vitamin B6 group; microbiological and natural occurrence of pyridoxamine phosphate. J Biol Chem. 1947 Aug;169(3):643-50. 

  4. SNELL EE. Summary of known metabolic functions of nicotinic acid, riboflavin and vitamin B6. Physiol Rev. 1953 Oct;33(4):509-24. 

  5. Ebadi M. Regulation and function of pyridoxal phosphate in CNS. Neurochem Int. 1981;3(3-4):181-205. 

  6. Wibowo N, Purwosunu Y, Sekizawa A, Farina A, Tambunan V, Bardosono S. Vitamin B₆ supplementation in pregnant women with nausea and vomiting. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2012 Mar;116(3):206-10.

  7. www.webmd.com

  8. www.mayoclinic.org 


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Guest
Dec 26, 2023

informative blog

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