subject: What Is Vitamin B6? [print this page] Consumption of vitamin b6 or pyridoxine is often referred to patients undergoing neurological treatments by neurologists. This is due to the fact that it ensures proper functioning of the brain and helps the body to convert protein to energy. Researchers have stated that this vitamin works with vitamin b9 and b12. This reduces the level of homocysteine in the blood thereby reducing a persons risk of a cardiac arrest.
The vitamin b6 is a water soluble vitamin. The water soluble vitamins flow in a persons bloodstream. If water soluble vitamins are not used, they pass through urine. This means that a constant input of this vitamin is required. It is estimated by nutritionists that on an average a male needs to consume 2 mg and women require to consume 1.6 mg of vitamin b6 everyday.
The usual source of vitamin b6 is poultry, pork, fish, eggs, soybean, oats, whole grains, bananas and nuts. Intake of excessive amount of this vitamin is harmful as it may lead to damage of the nerves. It is advised to the pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers to abstain from excessive consumption of this vitamin. Excessive input of pyridoxine can damage the fetus or the infants.
Excessive dosage of vitamin b6 is advised by doctors to a few categories of people. They have a record of deficiency of consumption of this vitamin. These include pregnant women, women on contraceptive pills, frequent alcoholics and smokers and bodybuilders consuming protein in excess. The usage of this vitamin should be properly monitored by a doctor or a nutritionist.
