Vitamin B6 Project

A water-soluble vitamin that performs a wide variety of functions in the human body. B₆ is needed for more then 100 enzymes involved in protein metabolism and other bodily functions. The nervous and immune systems require B₆ to function correctly. Hemoglobin, which is the tissue in red blood cells that allows them to carry oxygen, is made with B₆. Vitamin B₆ also maintains blood glucose within a normal range. When caloric intake is low, B₆ is needed to convert carbohydrates to glucose to maintain body function.

• Cereal
• Baked Potato
• Banana
• Chicken Breast
• Pork Loin
• Roast Beef
• Trout
• Sunflower Seeds
• Avocado
• Salmon
• And Many More!

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is the average daily dietary intake level that meets FDA requirements.

Vitamin B₆ deficiency is rarely seen in the United States. Many older Americans do indeed have lower levels of B₆ which may suggest a marginal or sub-optimal vitamin source. Deficiency can occur within individuals with poor quality diets. Skin inflammation, sore tongue, depression, confusion, and convulsions all are symptoms of B₆ deficiency.

Researchers have been looking at the critical link of vitamin B₆ and many neurological conditions such as seizures, chronic pain and depression because of the importance of B₆ in creating neurotransmitters. Many studies are trying to show the power of B₆ as an oral contraceptive.

Homocysteine is an amino acid normally found in your blood. When there is a decreased amount of B₆, folic acid, or B₁₂ in your blood, it causes an elevation in Homocysteine levels. These highly elevated levels are linked to a greater risk of heart disease and stroke.

Too much B₆ can cause nerve damage to the extremities. This damage is usually related to high intake from vitamin supplements, and reversible when supplements are stopped.

B₆ is found in a wide variety of foods. Natural foods have more B₆ the processed or synthetically produced foods. Fish like salmon, tuna, and trout all have high levels of B₆.