Vitamin B6

Occurence

also called pyridoxine, pyridoxol, adermine

Vitamin B6 is a nutrient essential to micro-organisms and animals.

Vitamin B6-content within selected food

Food Vitamin B6 (mg/100g)
Chicken: 0,3-0,6
Liver: 0,9
Fish: 0,3-0,8
Pork: 0,3-0,5
Milk, dairy products: <0,1
Rice: 0,1-0,5
Bread: 0,1-0,2
Mushrooms: 0,1-0,2
Spinach, potatoes: 0,3
Tomatoes: 0,1
Fruit: <0,1
Walnuts: 0,78

Physiological significance

Vitamin B6 is involved in more than 100 enzymatic reactions within the various ranges of metabolism. Vitamin B6 is particularly active in the formation and breaking down of amino acids, and hence indirectly of protein in living tissues. It is also involved in certain processes of the lipid and carbohydrate metabolisms.

Furthermore vitamin B6 plays an important role within the immune system, and the effect caused by sex hormones. Within a malignant tumor cell the vitamin B6-metabolism is changed, the growth in case of limited vitamin B6-availability is impaired.

Dosage

The required amount of vitamin B6 depends on the protein supply. For men an average amount of 1,8 mg is stated, for women it´s 1,6 mg. Pregnant and nursing women do have a higher need.

Deficiency symptoms can be noted in the course of a general/combined insufficient supply of the vitamins of group B. The symptoms manifest in the form of dermatitis and neurotics.

Toxicity

The danger of intoxication is very small. Human beings seem to tolerate up to 4-20mg without problems.