|
|
 |
Vitamin
B6 | Pyridoxine |
What is the
importance of vitamin
B6 ?
|
Vitamin
B6 is a white,
crystalline substance.
It is soluble in water
and alcohol. Long
storage, canning,
roasting or stewing of
meat, food-processing
techniques, use of
alcohol, and estrogen
are destructive to this
vitamin.
Vitamin B6 is absorbed
mainly in the jejunum.
However it is also
absorbed in the ileum of
the small intestine by
passive diffusion.
Absorption in the colon
is very slight. Although
the bacteria in the
colon do synthesize
vitamin B6, it is not
absorbed to any
significant extent.
Small quantities of this
vitamin are stored in
the body. The vitamin is
widely distributed in
various tissues and
excreted mainly from the
kidneys. Small
quantities of the
vitamin are excreted in
the feces and in sweat.
Pyridoxine or vitamin B6
aids in food
assimilation and protein
and fat metabolism,
especially in the
metabolism of essential
fatty acids. It
activates many enzymes
and enzyme systems. It
is involved in the
production of antibodies
which protect against
bacterial diseases.
Pyridoxine helps in the
healthy functioning of
the nervous system and
brain. It is essential
for the normal
reproductive process and
healthy pregnancies.
This vitamin prevents
nervous and skin
disorders, provides
protection against a
high cholesterol level,
certain types of heart
disease, and diabetes.
It prevents tooth decay.
Vitamin B6 regulates the
balance between sodium
and potassium in the
body, which is vitally
important for normal
body functions. It is
also required for
absorption of vitamin
B12 and for the
production of
hydrochloric acid and
magnesium.
|
How do you know if
you need more vitamin
B6?
|
Deficiency of vitamin B6
may cause anemia, edema,
mental depression, and
skin disorders. Cracking
at the corner of the
lips, halitosis (foul
smell in the mouth),
nervousness, eczema,
kidney stones,
inflammation of the
colon, damage to the
pancreas, insomnia,
tooth decay, and
irritability may also
result due to deficiency
of vitamin B6.
Inadequate intake of the
vitamin may also lead to
loss of muscular
control, migraine
headaches, diseases of
old age, and premature
senility.
|
How much
vitamin B6 do you
need?
|
|
It is
impossible for anyone to
tell you how much of any
particular vitamin you
need. We have read many
articles and reports on
this subject and no two
are alike. There are too
many variables involved.
Your age, your height
and weight, your health
and lifestyle, etc. The
best way for you to
decide which supplements
you need is to read
these pages and make
note of any health
problems you may be
having which could be
associated with a
vitamin deficiency. Then
start taking a small
dose. If your symptoms
don't go away after a
week or two, increase
your dosage. Continue
this until your symptoms
are relieved and stay
with that dosage.
Guideline is for a 150
pound adult:
- Men: 100 mg.
Best if taken as
part of a
B Complex
 .
- Women: 100 mg. Best
if taken as part of
a
B Complex.
Always consult your
doctor or midwife during
pregnancy and lactation.
Always start small
and work your way up, if
needed. Please be
careful when dealing
with fat soluble
vitamins as your body
retains these for
extended periods of
time. It is possible to
take to much of these
types of vitamins.
|
How to get enough
vitamin B6?
|
|
Eating
a variety of foods that
contain vitamin B6
is the best way to get
an adequate amount.
Healthy individuals who
eat a balanced diet
rarely need
supplements. Select
foods that contain
excellent to good
sources of vitamin B6
each day. Such as the
following: |
|
Yeast,
sunflower seeds, wheat
germ, soy beans, and
walnuts are the richest
sources of vitamin B6
(pyridoxine) among plant
foods. Lentils, lima
beans, and other
vegetables provide fair
amounts. Raw foods
contain more of this
vitamin than cooked
foods.
If you eat an
abundant quantity of the
above foods, you will
not have to worry about
supplementing your diet
with extra Vitamin B6.
If you don't eat much of
the above foods, you
might consider adding a
supplement. |
We
get all our personal
use vitamins and supplements
from
Puritan's Pride .
We highly recommend you
do the same, for
all your vitamin and
supplement needs. Their
products are always
fresh and of the highest
quality. Their prices
can't be beat, not even
by Wal-Mart. Shipping is
very fast and
inexpensive. |
|
|
|
|
