1) Unlike vitamin B2, vitamin B6 is not destroyed by heat.
2) Vitamin B6 can be destroyed by ultraviolet light.
3) Up to 50% of vitamin B6 is destroyed during processing and cooking.
4) Vitamin B6 is involved in the metabolism of sugar and amino acids.
5) The synthesis and metabolism of hemoglobin calls for vitamin B6.
6) Vitamin B6 is a coenzyme for over 100 other enzymes.
7) Vitamin B6 aids in the synthesis of many different neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine.
8) Dialysis can cause an unusually large loss of vitamin B6 that must be carefully made up.
9) Vitamin B6 is water-soluble.
10) Different vitamers that make up vitamin B6 are found in different kinds of foods.
It is very interesting that 3 of vitamin B6’s vitamers are found in plant foods and the other three B6 vitamers are found in animal foods, which makes it a challenge for vegans or those on high protein diets to get enough vitamin B6. Both groups, needless to say, are natural customers for the producers of vitamin B6 and other kinds of supplements.
Though large doses of vitamin B6 are known to be beneficial to a small number of people with specific conditions, there are risks that come with taking too much vitamin B6. In extreme cases of people taking megadoses of vitamin B6 their sense may deteriorate and even brain damage can result.
On the other hand, a deficiency of vitamin B6 can cause a variety of problems, though not life-threatening. Anemia and seizures are among the signs of a B6 deficiency and can also be accompanied by confusion and depression (which can also occur separately if an individual does not get enough vitamin B6). Conditions like cancer, cirrhosis, heart failure, and uremia can all lead to a deficiency of vitamin B6 also.
Vitamin B6 is found in a variety of foods. Some of the best vitamin B6 sources include meat, fish, eggs, potatoes, poultry, fortified cereals, non-citrus fruits (like bananas), and walnuts.
Copyright © Dennis Becker, 2004.
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