Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B6 Deficiency
Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B6 Deficiency
A vitamin is any of various fat-soluble or water-soluble organic substances essential in small amounts for normal growth and activity of the body and obtained naturally from plant and animal foods. A mineral is naturally occurring inorganic solid substance having a definite chemical composition and characteristic crystalline structure, color, and hardness which is also necessary for growth and activity of the human body. Vitamin B6 is also called pyridoxine. Vitamin B6 can be helpful in certain patients with nerve conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Vitamin B6 is essential in cell replication and for the production of red blood cells and the cells of the immune system. It is crucial for healthy pregnancy and proper functioning of the immune system, red blood cells, mucous membranes, and skin. Poultry, fish, liver, and eggs are good sources of vitamin B6, comprising about 3-4 mg vitamin; meat and milk contain lesser amounts of the vitamin. The vitamin also occurs, at about half this level, in a variety of plant foods, including beans, broccoli, cabbage, and peas.
Vitamin B6 deficiency is rare, since most foods eaten contain the vitamin. Deficiency leads to inflammation of the skin and mouth, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness and anemia.Vitamin B6 deficiency occurs rarely. When it does, it is usually associated with poor absorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract (as in alcoholism, or with chronic diarrhea), the taking of certain drugs that inactivate the vitamin, with genetic disorders that inhibit metabolism of the vitamin, or in cases of starvation.The symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency in adults are only vaguely defined. These include nervousness, irritability, insomnia, muscle weakness, and difficulty in walking. Vitamin B6 deficiency may produce fissures and cracking at the corners of the mouth.
Excessive amounts of vitamin B6 are excreted in the urine eight hours after ingestion, and thus a daily intake of the vitamin along with other members of the B complex is needed. Vitamin B6 is not stored in the liver, but is found exclusively in the muscles. Signs of toxicity include nerve damage, fatigue, persistant headaches, and difficulty walking.