Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine
About Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine
Vitamin B6 comprises pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine and their phosphates, with pyridoxal 5 phosphate the active coenzyme form. Official recommended intakes vary by age, sex and life stage. Pyridoxal 5 phosphate is a coenzyme for more than a hundred enzymes, mostly in amino acid metabolism, including transamination, decarboxylation and racemization. It is needed to make the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and GABA, and it takes part in heme synthesis and glycogen breakdown. Deficiency causes peripheral neuropathy, dermatitis, glossitis, depression, confusion and microcytic anemia. Low B6 status is associated with raised homocysteine, although trials combining B6, B12 and folate lowered homocysteine without clearly reducing cardiovascular events. An upper intake level has been set because long term high intake from supplements can cause a sensory neuropathy, which usually improves after supplements are stopped. Pyridoxine is used for nausea in pregnancy and has been studied for premenstrual syndrome, with mixed evidence.
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