Vitamin B6 Description

Vitamin B6 - Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that exists in three major chemical forms: pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine. Vitamin B6 performs a wide variety of functions in the body and is essential for good health. For example, Vitamin B6 is needed for more than 100 enzymes involved in protein metabolism. It is also essential for red blood cell metabolism. The nervous and immune systems need Vitamin B6 to function efficiently, and it is also needed for the conversion of the amino acit tryptophan to niacin, another vitamin. The body needs Vitamin B6 to make hemoglobin. Vitamin B6 also helps increase the amount of oxygen carried by hemoglobin. A Vitamin B6 deficiency can result in a form of anemia that is similar to iron deficiency anemia.

Vitamin B6 also helps maintain blood glucose, or blood sugar, within a normal range. When caloric intake is low the body needs Vitamin B6 to help convert stored carbohydrate or other nutrients to glucose to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Vitamin B6 is found in a wide variety of foods including fortified cereals, beans, meat, poultry, fish, and some fruits and vegetables.