Home VSPedia Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 Daily Intake

Gender Age Intake
0-6 months Male 0.1 mg/day
0-6 months Female 0.1 mg/day
7-12 months Male 0.3 mg/day
7-12 months Female 0.3 mg/day
1-3 years Male 0.5 mg/day
1-3 years Female 0.5 mg/day
4-8 years Male 0.6 mg/day
4-8 years Female 0.6 mg/day
9-13 years Male 1 mg/day
9-13 years Female 1 mg/day
14-50 years Male 1.3 mg/day
14-18 years Female 1.2 mg/day
50 years and older Male 1.7 mg/day
19-50 years Female 1.3 mg/day
50 years and older Female 1.5 mg/day
Pregnant women Female 1.9 mg/day
Lactating women Female 2 mg/day

This vitamin, also known as pyridoxine, is synthesized in the intestine and can be absorbed from various vegetable and animal foods.

Useful Properties

Vitamin B6 is essential for the proper breakdown of proteins, fats, sugars, and amino acids. The human body also requires pyridoxine for the normal development and function of the nerves, brain, skin, muscles, and other body organs. Pyridoxine takes part in formation of various enzymes and synthesis of nucleic acids. It also helps to absorb vitamin B12.

Vitamin B6 is said to be effective for treating and preventing numerous diseases including the following:

  • Allergies
  • Anemia
  • Heart disease
  • Autism
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Diabetes
  • Nerve pain
  • High cholesterol
  • Down syndrome
  • Motion sickness
  • Movement disorders
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder
  • Migraine headaches
  • Asthma
  • Skin conditions
  • Dizziness
  • Arthritis
  • Muscle cramps
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Infertility

Pyridoxine can be used for treating menstruation problems, increasing appetite, boosting immune system, and preventing kidney stones.

Vitamin B6 Deficiency

Lack of pyridoxine can occur in people who have kidney disease, radiation sickness, or enteric infections. It can cause loss of appetite, nausea, irritability, sleepiness, and sluggishness.

Vitamin B6 Side Effects

Vitamin B6 is safe for adults and children when taken in proper doses. Too much pyridoxine can cause stomach pain, tingling, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and some other side effects. Taking high doses during a long period often leads to nerve and brain conditions.

Vitamin B6 Absorption

Pyridoxine is easily absorbed from most food sources, but its absorption becomes worse if there is too little magnesium in the body.

Recommendations and Precautions

Pregnant and breast-feeding women, athletes and people who work with radioactive substances need higher doses of pyridoxine.


Vitamin B6 Uses

Effective for
Seizures, A condition in which the body makes abnormal red blood cells that build up iron , Vitamin B6 deficiency
Possibly effective for
Hardening of the arteries , Kidney stones, Morning sickness, Premenstrual syndrome
Possibly ineffective for
Alzheimer disease, Autism, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Cataracts, Weak and brittle bones
Insufficient evidence for
Acne, Asthma, Eczema , Cancer, Heart disease, Cavities, Depression, Diabetes, Nerve pain in people with diabetes , Menstrual cramps , Seizures in women with pre-eclampsia , High blood pressure, Insomnia, Breast-feeding, Lung cancer, Nausea and vomiting, Preterm birth, Seizures not caused by epilepsy, Stroke, Allergies, Down syndrome, Kidney problems, Lyme disease, Muscle cramps, Night leg cramps, Rheumatoid arthritis

Top 8 Foods Highest in Vitamin B6

  • Yeast
  • Eggs
  • Meat
  • Fish
  • Cheese
  • Milk
  • Cereals
  • Beans