Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) Deficiency
Article navigation
Certain people are at higher risk for vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency:
- Alcoholics
People who drink excessive amounts of alcoholism do not absorb as much of the vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and many other nutrients and may not eat properly, so may be deficient in this vitamin and may need supplementation to avoid severe deficiency symptoms. - People taking certain prescription drugs
Certain medications can decrease absorption and effectiveness of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) from foods eaten and deficiency may result, especially if the medication is taken longer term. - Smokers
Tobacco reduces absorption of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), so people who smoke cigarettes may become deficient and could need supplementation. - Strict vegetarians or vegans
Most fruit and vegetables have little or no vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), while milk and dairy products contain very little vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and the only non-meat sources are nuts and whole grains, which means that strict vegetarians or vegans may become deficient in vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and could need supplementation. - Women taking contraceptive pills
Women taking contraceptive pills may need supplementation because they may be excreting too much of their vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) stores and could become deficient, so supplementation may be required. - Women that are pregnant or breastfeeding
Women that are pregnant or breastfeeding may need more vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) because they are passing on so much of it to their child and as a consequence may become deficient themselves. Women that are pregnant or breastfeeding need to seek the advice of their doctor to determine how much of this vitamin is required for their individual circumstances.
There are a number of different types of people who may be at risk for vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency
ymptoms of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency
Deficiency in vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is common and symptoms are:
- Anaemia
- Confusion
- Discolouration of the tongue
- Hyperactivity
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Lack of coordination
- More frequent infections and illness
- Muscle twitches
- Nervousness
- Skin lesions
People with any of these symptoms should seek advice from their medical practitioner to determine if vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supplementation is warranted in their individual situation.