Vitamin B6 - Pyridoxine

Vitamin B6 (also known as pyridoxine) is highly important for our bodies because it is needed for norepinephrine and serotonin synthesis. It is also crucial in the formation of myelin. When adults are faced with vitamin B6 deficiency they are faced with damage noticed in skin, blood cell systems, mucous membranes and peripheral nerves. Children that suffer from pyridoxine deficiency have they central nervous system affected. In most cases deficiency will appear in individuals that are faced with cirrhosis, alcoholism, hyperthyroidism, congestive heart failure, malabsorption syndromes and uremia. There are even some drugs that will cause vitamin B6 deficiency. The best food sources of pyridoxine are cereal grains, vegetables (especially peas, spinach and carrots), milk, potatoes, legumes, fish, liver, flour, meat and eggs.

When talking about vitamin B6 dosage we have to take into account the fact that there is a lot of diversity when talking about vitamin supplements. We are faced with a lot of diversity and most products are differently made. We can even see differences between ingredients used by the same brand. With all this in mind it is clear to see why many people end up discussing with nutritionists before choosing what products to buy. When talking strictly about vitamin B6, you should know that adults are recommended between 1.3 and 1.7 mg of pyridoxine daily. The only exception stands in pregnant women. They need 1.9 mg daily while lactating women will require 2 mg daily. Always remember that you should never go over 100 mg of vitamin B6 daily. Also, under special circumstances you will need to consult a pharmacist or a doctor. Children will need to take between 0.1 and 1.2 mg daily based on sex and age. Children should never go over 30 to 60 mg daily based on sex.

Remember that supplements and herbs are not usually regulated by authorities. This basically means that we have no guaranty about product safety. Effects are varied and unfortunately a lot of people end up buying products without even reading the labels. Keep in mind that dealing with medical conditions and taking supplements that are not recommended can bring in problems. Whenever taking vitamin B6 supplements and noticing strange side effects consult a healthcare provider! Sometimes we are faced with allergies that are caused by different ingredients that are put into vitamin B6 products.

In some cases people are sensitive to B6 and they can even have problems when taking lower doses. The good news is that pyridoxine is safe in most situations but only if the recommended doses are respected. Overdosing must be avoided at all times. In different situations patients have experienced allergic reactions, skin reactions, photosensitivity and acne. You might even have to fight with abdominal pain, vomiting, increased liver function, appetite loss, headache, somnolence, parasthesia, sensor neuropathy or nausea.

Special attention must be given when dealing with vitamin B6 administered to women that are pregnant or breastfeeding. This vitamin is safe if the recommended doses are not exceeded and it is approved by specialist in use linked with pregnancy. The problem is that supplementation rich in B6 is not to be used on a long term basis. It is also recommended that medical monitoring is reality at all times. There are some pieces of information that link high B6 doses with neonatal seizures. Unfortunately we do not have enough information about this subject and further tests are needed. It is true that most women that are breastfeeding do not meet the minimum requirements of B6 in their diets but this can easily be solved with prenatal vitamin supplements. Vitamin B6 is safe on the whole but caution must be exhibited when dealing with higher doses.