Dr.Abhay Kumar Pati, Author, Best Nutrition Inc USA
www.bestnutrition.com, www.nutritionbest.com, www.ayurvedicsupplements.com, www.biotechayur.com
DESCRIPTION
Pyridoxine was once known as the “woman’s vitamin” because of its beneficial effects in symptoms related to menses. Pyridoxine is a B-complex water-soluble vitamin requiring regular daily intake. Pyridoxine is essential to produce adrenaline (epinephrine) and insulin. Vitamin B6 is reasonably resistant to heat but can be lost from food sources left soaking in water over time. High protein diets increase the need for pyridoxine. Alcoholics typically have low levels of pyridoxine.
Pyridoxine is essential for energy production, necessary for proper functioning of the nervous system, and involved in protein metabolism.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Inadequate intake of pyridoxine may cause symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), lowered white blood cell count, swelling of the abdomen and extremities, and seborrhea (oily skin with crusts and scales) around the eyes, nose and mouth.
THERAPEUTIC USES
THOSE WHO MAY NEED TO SUPPLEMENT
RECOMMENDED DIETARY ALLOWANCE
| Age | Pyridoxine/Vitamin B6 (mg/day) |
| 0-6 months | 0.3 |
| 6-12 months | 0.6 |
| 1-3 years | 1.0 |
| 4-6 years | 1.1 |
| 7-10 years | 1.4 |
| 11-14 years (males) | 1.7 |
| 15-18 years (males) | 2.0 |
| 19-24 years (males) | 2.0 |
| 25-50 years (males) | 2.0 |
| 51+ years (males) | 2.0 |
| 11-14 years (female) | 1.4 |
| 15-18 years (females) | 1.5 |
| 19-24 years (females) | 1.6 |
| 25-50 years (females) | 1.6 |
| 51+ years (females) | 1.6 |
| Pregnancy | 2.2 |
| Lactation, 0-6 months | 2.0 |
| Lactation, 6-12 months | 2.0 |
BEST FOOD SOURCES
| Food | Vitamin B6 (mg/100g) |
| wheat germ | 0.95 |
| bananas | 0.51 |
| turkey | 0.44 |
| chicken | 0.29 |
| fish, white | 0.29 |
| beef | 0.27 |
| brussels sprouts | 0.28 |
| potatoes | 0.25 |
| bread, whole-meal | 0.12 |
| baked beans | 0.12 |
| peas, frozen | 0.10 |
| bread, white | 0.07 |
| oranges | 0.06 |
| milk | 0.06 |
SAFETY
Pyridoxine is generally safe to take with no reported cases of toxicity. However, daily doses in excess of 100 mg should be taken under strict medical supervision.
INTERACTIONS & CONTRAINDICATIONS
Pyridoxine is one of the B-complex vitamins and so ideally should be taken as part of the complex, although single supplementation is acceptable as part of a nutritional therapeutic program.