Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, plays an important role in the body, such as contributing to healthy metabolism, protecting neurons and producing neurotransmitters, substances important for the proper functioning of the nervous system and the prevention of heart disease.
Therefore, if vitamin levels are low, health problems can occur, which can be identified by signs and symptoms, such as:
- In children.
- Vitamin B6 deficiency can also cause irritability.
- Hearing problems and seizures.
- In addition.
- It is important to remember that a deficiency of this vitamin is usually accompanied by a lack of vitamins B12 and folic acid.
Vitamin B6 is present in many foods, so it is very rare for levels to be low, however, their concentration in the body may decrease in people who smoke or consume excessive alcohol, women who take oral contraceptives, pregnant women who suffer from preeclampsia. eclampsia.
In addition, the risk of vitamin B6 deficiency in the body is higher, as in people with kidney problems, coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease, intestinal ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and excessive alcohol consumption. .
To avoid vitamin B6 deficiency, it is important to eat foods rich in vitamin B6, such as liver, salmon, chicken and red meats, potatoes, plums, bananas, hazelnuts, avocados or nuts, for example. See more vitamin B6-rich foods.
In addition to consuming foods rich in this vitamin, in some cases it may be necessary to take a vitamin B6 supplement, which can be combined with other vitamins, such as folic acid and vitamin B12, which in some cases are also low simultaneously.
Excessive intake of vitamin B6 is rare and usually occurs from the use of dietary supplements, with symptoms such as loss of control of body movements, nausea, acidity, sensitivity to light and skin sores. However, these symptoms improve by stopping vitamin supplements. Learn more about the supplement.