Pyridoxine is a water-soluble B vitamin that functions as a cofactor in more than one hundred enzyme reactions Vitamin B6 is the primary vitamin in the metabolism of amino acids and other proteins including hemoglobin, serotonin, hormones, and prostaglandins.

Plays an essential role in:

§          in a variety of biochemical reactions in the human body including the metabolism of amino acids and glycogen, the synthesis of nucleic acids, hemoglobin, sphingomyelin and other sphingolipids

§          Helps to prevent atherosclerosis by metabolizing homocysteine.

§          Facilitates conversion of glycogen to glucose for energy production.

§          Required for the production of neurotransmitters derived from amino acids such as serotonin, gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and histamine

§          Necessary for the formation of hemoglobin and the growth of red blood cells.

Vitamin B6 deficiency

Vitamin B6 deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies, which is partially due to large amounts being lost during cooking and food processing.

Typical symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency are microcytic, hypochromic anemia, seizures, dermatitis, sleep disturbances, decreased alertness, nerve inflammation, confusion, and depression.

Click here for Vitamin B6 RDA  table

Vitamin B6 Forms
Pyridoxine, pyridoxine hydrochloride, pyridoxal hydrochloride, pyridoxal-5’-phosphate.