B Vitamins -Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)

B VITAMINS – PYRIDOXINE (VITAMIN B6)

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6): Pyridoxine, is one of 8 B vitamins also known as Vitamin B6. All of B vitamins help the body convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which the body uses to produce energy. These B vitamins, often referred to as B complex vitamins, also help the body use fats and protein. It has several important functions which helps body to:

• Make antibodies which are needed to fight many viruses, infections, and other diseases.
• Maintain normal nerve function.
• Make hemoglobin which carries oxygen in the red blood cells to the tissues. 
• Break down proteins. The more protein you eat, the more vitamin B6 you need.
• Keep blood sugar (glucose) in normal ranges.
• Develop a normal brain or for normal brain development.

Foods rich in pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6): Foods that are rich in pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) include: 

• Poultry
• Fish
• Cod
• Bread
• Whole cereals, such as oatmeal, wheat germ and rice
• Vegetables
• Soya beans
• Chickpeas
• Bananas

Symptoms of pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6) deficiency: The signs and symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency are:

1) Skin rashes - Vitamin B6 deficiency is one cause of a red, itchy rash called seborrheic dermatitis. The rash can appear on your scalp, face, neck and upper chest. It’s known for its oily, flaky appearance and may cause swelling or white patches.

2) Cracked and sore lips - Cheilosis, which is characterized by sore, red and swollen lips with cracked mouth corners, can result from B6 deficiency. Cracked areas may bleed and become infected. In addition to being very painful, having cracked and sore lips can make activities like eating and talking difficult.

3) Sore and glossy tongue - If you have a B6 deficiency, your tongue may become swollen, sore, smooth, inflamed or reddened. This is called glossitis which can cause problems chewing, swallowing and talking. The glossy, smooth surface of the tongue is due to the loss of papillae. Those are the bumps on your tongue.

4) Mood swings - Shortfalls of B6 may affect your mood, sometimes contributing to depression, anxiety, irritability and increased feelings of pain. That’s because B6 is involved in the making of several neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Both serotonin and GABA help control anxiety, depression and feelings of pain.

5) Weekened immune function - A well-working immune system is key to preventing infections, inflammation and various cancers. Nutrient deficiencies, including B6, can disrupt the immune system. More specifically, a deficiency in B6 can result in the decreased production of antibodies needed to fight infections. A B6 deficiency may also reduce your body’s production of white blood cells, including T cells. These cells regulate immune function, helping it respond appropriately. Additionally, B6 helps your body make a protein called interleukin-2, which helps direct the actions of white blood cells. People with autoimmune disorders (in which the immune system turns against itself), can have increased destruction of B6, which increases the need for the vitamin.

6) Tiredness and low energy - B6 deficiency can leave you feeling unusually tired and sluggish. The main reason is vitamin B6’s role in helping make hemoglobin. That’s the protein in your red blood cells that helps carry oxygen throughout your body. If your cells don’t get enough oxygen as a result of too little hemoglobin, it’s called anemia. That can make you feel tired and weak.

7) Tingling and pain in hands and feet - B6 deficiency can cause nerve damage known as peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms may include burning and stabbing pain in the hands and feet. It feels like pins and needles. Nerve damage can also lead to difficulty with balance and walking.

8) Seizures - Seizures occur for various reasons, which include B6 deficiency. Without enough B6, the body can't make enough of the calming neurotransmitter GABA, so the brain can become overstimulated. Seizures can cause symptoms such as muscle spasms, eye roll and arm or leg twitching, rapid, uncontrollable tremors, or loss of consciousness.

9) High Homocysteine - Homocysteine is a by-product created during protein digestion. A deficiency of B6, as well as folate and B12, can lead to abnormally high blood levels of homocysteine, as these B vitamins are needed to help process homocysteine. Increased homocysteine levels have been linked to a number of health problems, most notably heart disease, stroke, as well as Alzheimer's disease. When homocysteine is elevated, it can damage blood vessels and nerves.

Causes for pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6) deficiency - People who have kidney disease or conditions that prevent the small intestine from absorbing nutrients from foods (malabsorption syndromes) are more likely to be vitamin B-6 deficient. Certain autoimmune disorders, some epilepsy medications and alcohol dependence also can lead to vitamin B-6 deficiency. This can cause a condition in which you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body's tissues (anemia), confusion, depression and a weakened immune system. A vitamin B-6 deficiency is usually coupled with deficiency in other B vitamins, such as folic acid (vitamin B-9) and vitamin B-12.

Side effects of pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6): Consuming vitamin B-6 through food appears to be safe, even in excessive amounts. At the same time when used as a supplement in proper doses, vitamin B-6 is likely safe. However, taking too much vitamin B-6 from supplements can cause:

• A lack of muscle control or coordination of voluntary movements (ataxia)
• Painful, disfiguring skin lesions
• Heartburn and nausea
• Sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity)
• Numbness
• Reduced ability to sense pain or extreme temperatures

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6) Interactions: The possible drug interactions include:

Altretamine - Taking vitamin B-6 with this chemotherapy drug might reduce its effectiveness, especially when also combined with the chemotherapy drug cisplatin.
Barbiturates - Taking vitamin B-6 with a drug that acts as a central nervous system depressant (barbiturate) might decrease the drug's duration and intensity.
Anticonvulsants - Taking vitamin B-6 with fosphenytoin (Cerebyx, Sesquient) or phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) might decrease the drug's duration and intensity.
Levodopa - Avoid taking vitamin B-6 with this drug used to treat Parkinson's disease. Vitamin B-6 might reduce the effectiveness of the drug.

Therefore check with your doctor before taking vitamin B-6 especially if you're using any of the above  or any other medications.

Quantum of Pyridoxine (Vitamin B-6): In order to prevent its deficiency the recommended intakes of  vitamin B6 for:

• Adults 50 and younger - 1.3 milligrams (mg) per day.
• Men above 50 yrs old - 1.7 mg per day.

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