Pyridoxine - Vitamin B6

Pyridoxine - Vitamin B6

All of the B vitamins work together to keep you healthy and feeling good. Here is a summary of the role of Vitamin B6, a water-soluble vitamin, in your good health.

What it does Part of amino acid and fatty acid metabolism; Helps make red blood cells; Helps convert tryptophan to niacin and serotonin
Daily needs [Infants*: .1-.3 mg] [Children†: .5-1.3 mg] [Men#: 1.3-1.7 mg] [Women#: 1.3-1.5 mg] [Pregnant: 1.9 mg] [Lactating: 2.0 mg]
Not enough Dermatitis, Anemia, Convulsions, Depression, Decreased immune and cognitive function
Too Much Muscle weakness, Fatigue, Skin lesions, Nerve damage (Excess is stored in muscles, rather than excreted like other B vitamins)
Foods Fortified cereals, Meat, Legumes, Potatoes, Fruit (not citrus),Soy

*The lower value is for infants up to 6 mos., the higher value is for infants up to a year old.
† The first value is for children 1-3 with the amount increasing until age 18.
#The upper range is for men and women over 50.

Destroyed by Heat

Vitamin B6 can be destroyed by heat, so light cooking methods, such as steaming should be used whenever possible.

Unlike other B vitamins, Vitamin B6 is stored in your muscles. This increases the risk for toxicity, which over time can lead to nerve damage. This can only happen from taking Vitamin B6supplements, not from eating foods with pyridoxine.

How to get enough

In general, people who live in developed countries like the United States get enough Vitamin B6. However, those living in poverty or suffering from eating disorders may not eat enough food to get sufficient Vitamin B6 in their diet. The elderly are also more susceptible to Vitamin B6 deficiency.

If you eat a variety of whole foods from all of the food categories, you will more than likely get enough Vitamin B6.


Caveat: Alcohol consumption destroys pyridoxine and can be linked to an increased risk of heart disease.


Vitamin B6 is good for your mood.

One of the functions of Vitamin B6 is to help convert the amino acid tryptophan to the neurotransmitter called serotonin. This is important to you because the level of serotonin in your brain has a lot to do with how you feel. It affects your appetite, your mood and your ability to sleep well. Several of the popular anti-depressant drugs function by maintaining higher levels of serotonin in your brain.

Vitamin B6 in your diet is important for feeling good and being healthy, but it is not, in itself, a remedy. Keep in mind that it can be toxic when taken as a supplement in large doses. Eating a balanced diet of fresh, whole foods is still the best way to be sure you are getting enough pyridoxine in your diet.

Strict vegetarians (vegans) should be particularly aware of their intake of Vitamin B6, since it appears that the plant forms of this vitamin are not as available to your body.


Click here to go from Pyridoxine page to Vegetarian Diet page.