Name: Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine)
Scientific Name:
Intro: Pyridoxine is a water soluble vitamin that is instrumental in more than 100 enzyme reactions in the body. These activities are mostly related to the metabolism of amino acids and proteins. Vitamin B6 deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies. Much of this is due to the fact that a lot of vitamin B6 is lost during cooking and food processing. Adequate pyridoxine is important because it is involved in the production of hemoglobin in red blood cells and neurotransmitters like serotonin, which plays a part in regulating our moods and preventing depression
Nutrient Content:
Benefits:
Comments: The Dietary Supplements Information Bureau recommends a daily dosage of approximately 20mg of Vitamin B-6 for optimal health. This dietary supplement is considered safe when used in accordance with proper dosing guidelines.
Caution: Occasional side effects reported with large doses (1g to 6g) of this dietary supplement include neurological toxicities. Symptoms associated with neurological toxicities include tingling in the hands and feet, decreased muscle coordination, and a stumbling gait. It may be necessary to reduce the dose of this dietary supplement. Tell your doctor if these side effects become severe or do not go away.
If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breast-feeding an infant, talk to your healthcare professional about supplementing your diet with appropriate vitamins and minerals.
Possible Interactions
Antibiotics
Studies have reported that the use of antibiotics is known to decrease the beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, which may decrease the amount of the B-vitamins that are normally made. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include Aminoglycosides, Cephalosporins, Fluoroquinolones, Quinolones, Macrolides, Penicillins, Sulfonamides, Tetracyclines, Trimethoprin-containing antibiotics, Carbapenems, Monobactams, chloramphenicol, spectinomycin, Streptogramins, vancomycin, Oxalodinones, Lincosamides, Nitrofurans.
Loop Diuretics
These medications are reported to cause increased elimination of this vitamin in the urine. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include furosemide, bumetanide, ethacrynic acid, torsemide.
Isoniazid
This medication indirectly decreases the amount of niacin in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary.
Levodopa
Vitamin B6 may increase the breakdown of levodopa in the body, possibly altering the effectiveness of this medication. However, use of a drug product combining levodopa with carbidopa (Sinemet) is reported to avoid this potential problem.
Estrogen and Estrogen like medications
These medications may decrease the amount of this vitamin in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary. These drugs include conjugated estrogens, estradiol, estrone, esterified estrogens, estropipate, ethinyl estradiol, raloxifene, transdermal estradiol, vaginal estrogens
Hydralazine
Animal and human studies have reported that this medication can decrease the levels of this vitamin in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary.
Penicillamine
In animal and human studies, this medication has been reported to interupt the breakdown of vitamin B6 in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary.
Theophylline
These medications may cause a decrease in the active form of vitamin B6 in the body. Supplementation with the affected nutrient may be necessary.