Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble compound that takes many interconvertable forms. These forms are used as components in more than one hundred enzymes, many of which are required for amino acid metabolism, among other processes.

Deficiencies: Severe deficiency may produce seizures, dermatitis, glossitis, cheilosis, angular stomatitis, and anemia. Frank deficiencies are rare, but subclinical deficiencies may exist, especially in women and the elderly.

Overdose: Oversupplementation of vitamin B6 has been documented to result in sensory neuropathy, with symptoms including pain and numbness of the extremities and difficulty walking. Adverse effects typically develop when doses exceed 1000 mg/day of pyroxidene (one of the forms of vitamin B6). Overexposure to pyroxidene never results from food intake alone.

Food sources: White meats (poultry, fish, pork), bananas and whole grains are good sources of vitamin B6.

2000-Calorie Diet Recommendations

Shown below are the reference numbers used to compute the Daily Value percentages that appear on the Nutrition Facts labels on foods sold in the U.S. These numbers are meant to approximate the nutrients needed for the average person consuming 2000 calories per day.

Click any of the vitamin or nutrient names below to learn more about the importance of each element, and to see detailed dietary allowances for specific population groups.

***Daily Value recommendations are based on a 2000-calorie diet. Recommendations for individuals will vary depending on gender, age, weight, and other factors.