The Effects of Vitamin B6 on Your Body

The Effects of Vitamin B6 and Signs of Deficiency

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin that the body doesn’t store, so we need a sufficient amount of it every day.

B-Complex and Pyridoxine

The B-complex comprises eight water-soluble vitamins that play essential and interconnected roles in the body’s functioning. The only other water-soluble vitamin is vitamin C; all the others are fat-soluble.

The vitamins that make up the B-complex are:

• Thiamin (B1-vitamin)
• Riboflavin (B2-vitamin)
• Niacin (B3-vitamin)
• Pantothenic acid (B5-vitamin)
• Pyridoxine (B6-vitamin)
• Biotin (B7-vitamin)
• Folic acid (B9-vitamin)
• Cobalamins (B12-vitamin)

Vitamin B6 is important for normal brain development, as well as the health of the nervous and immune systems.

It can be found in foods such as poultry, fish, potatoes, chickpeas, and bananas. Vitamin B6 is also available as a dietary supplement, usually in the form of capsules, tablets, or liquids taken by mouth.

Signs of Vitamin B6 Deficiency

In many cases, deficiency in vitamin B6 is associated with low levels of other B-vitamins, such as vitamin B12 and folic acid.

The symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency can include:

• Anemia
• Seizures
• Depression
• Confusion
• Weakened immune system.

The Effects of Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 contributes to:

• Normal energy metabolism,
• Normal protein and glycogen metabolism,
• The normal functioning of the nervous and immune systems, and
• The reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

• Maintaining normal psychological function.
• The formation of red blood cells.
• The regulation of hormonal activity.