Vitamins play a very important role in the functioning of the body. They are involved in almost all physiological processes, help in the production of important enzyme hormones. Some of them are formed in the intestines, but mostly they enter the body with food. Such vitamins, the needs for which are provided from the outside, include vitamin B6 or, as it is also called, pyridoxine. It ensures the normal course of metabolic processes and the functioning of the nervous system. Therefore, it is very important not to allow its deficiency.
General characteristics
Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that regulates the functioning of the body. It is involved in hematopoiesis and metabolic processes. This vitamin is necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous, cardiovascular, endocrine and immune systems. It is the basis of several dozen biochemical processes, is involved in the formation of important enzymes.
In the body, pyridoxine is absorbed from the small intestine and enters the liver. There it is converted to activeforms that are sent to tissues and organs. There they combine with various enzymes that provide protein metabolism and other important functions of the body. Most importantly, pyridoxine accelerates energy processes, metabolism and cell regeneration. Therefore, with a sufficient amount of it, a person’s youth and working capacity last longer.
Performed functions
Pyridoxine performs very important functions in the body:
- participates in the formation of certain enzymes, hormones;
- improves carbohydrate metabolism and glucose uptake processes, stimulates insulin synthesis;
- helps in the absorption and processing of protein, in the synthesis of essential amino acids;
- improves fat metabolism and promotes weight loss;
- participates in hematopoiesis, especially in the formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin;
- normalizes the functioning of the nervous system, stimulating the production of serotonin;
- helps muscle function;
- participates in the transmission of nerve impulses;
- prevents the appearance of excessive excitability;
- slows down the aging process;
- prevents the formation of convulsions and increased uterine tone during pregnancy;
- lowers cholesterol;
- improves liver function;
- strengthens immunity.
What foods contain
Like all B vitamins, pyridoxine mainly enters the body from the outside. But the good thing is that it is found in many familiar products, both animal and vegetable.origin. Therefore, with a properly balanced diet, its normal amount mainly enters the body. The amount of vitamin B6 in foods varies. There is a little of it in almost any common food. But the most easily digestible form of pyridoxine is found in these foods:
- in bran;
- brewer's yeast;
- animal or fish liver;
- beans, peas, soybeans;
- chicken, rabbit;
- pork;
- milk, cottage cheese, cheeses;
- avocado;
- nuts;
- bananas;
- grenade;
- garlic;
- citrus;
- carrots, cabbage and corn;
- sea fish, squid;
- raisins.
It is worth considering that most of the vitamin B6 in animal products. And in various fruits, it is found mainly in the skin.
Vitamin B6 preparations
In tablets, such funds are used most often. They are used as part of complex therapy. Pyridoxine is well absorbed, immediately entering the tissues and organs. In the treatment of various pathologies, preparations containing only vitamin B6 or other components in addition to it may be prescribed.
- "Magne B6" - the combination of these two substances in the preparation helps in the treatment of various pathologies that develop during nervous or physical overload. The drug has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, hair and nervous system of a person, provides normal muscle contraction and improves the quality of sleep.
- "Pyridoxinehydrochloride" is used when there is a lack of vitamin B6. This form of this substance improves the production of essential amino acids, improves liver function.
- "Angiovit" contains, in addition to pyridoxine, vitamin B12 and folic acid.
- "Pentovit" is a complex of all B vitamins.
In addition, in some cases, injections of vitamin B6 are indicated. They are administered intramuscularly, intravenously or subcutaneously. Pyridoxine is available in ampoules in two dosages: 50 or 10 mg per ml of solution.
For prophylactic purposes, it is best to use multivitamin complexes: Centrum, Alfavit, Vitrum, Multitabs, Supradin and others.
Vitamin B6: indications for use
In some pathologies, doctors prescribe pyridoxine as part of complex treatment. It helps speed up recovery and improves overall he alth. The use of vitamin B6 is effective in such cases:
- with severe toxicosis in pregnant women;
- dermatological diseases, hair loss, psoriasis;
- with a lag in physical development in infants, the presence of diathesis;
- malnutrition, alcoholism, frequent stress;
- when taking anti-TB drugs, immunosuppressants, or certain antibiotics;
- with increased irritability, anxiety, tendency to convulsions;
- after diseases of the digestive tract, accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting;
- whenradiculitis, neuritis or neuralgia.
Most often, pyridoxine tablets are used to treat and prevent such pathologies. In the most difficult cases, injections of vitamin B6 are used. But sometimes a solution of pyridoxine is applied externally. So it helps to cope with some dermatological diseases or skin cosmetic problems.
Vitamin requirement
On average, an adult needs 1.5-1.7 mg of pyridoxine per day. But this amount can fluctuate depending on the state of he alth and lifestyle. The need for vitamin B6 increases during pregnancy and during lactation, with increased mental and physical stress, dieting or unbalanced nutrition, with frequent stress or chronic diseases. In this case, its daily dosage can be up to 2-3 mg.
When taking vitamin B6 with food, it is impossible to overdose it. After all, it is absorbed only in those quantities that are needed. But when using drugs with pyridoxine, hypervitaminosis is sometimes possible. This condition is manifested by numbness of the hands and feet, convulsions, dyspeptic symptoms. In some pathologies, high doses of pyridoxine can be prescribed - up to 600 mg, but it is recommended to drink it in amounts not exceeding 50 mg per day.
Increased need for pyridoxine occurs in some conditions and pathologies:
- when pregnant and while breastfeeding;
- for diseases of the digestive tract;
- certain hereditary diseases;
- stress, nervous tension;
- increased physical activity;
- work in adverse weather conditions, with chemicals;
- alcoholism.
Signs of vitamin deficiency
With some pathologies, the absorption of vitamins is reduced. This can be with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, fever, hypothyroidism. Losses of vitamins can be with frequent vomiting or diarrhea, taking antibiotics, anti-tuberculosis drugs or immunosuppressants, malnutrition. In this case, hypovitaminosis or a lack of vitamin B6 develops. Symptoms in adults appear gradually, not very clearly. They are nonspecific, so even a doctor without tests can not always determine the cause of the patient's ailment. There is a lack of pyridoxine with the following symptoms:
- various skin diseases: dermatitis, seborrhea;
- the appearance of cracks on the lips and in the corners of the mouth;
- psoriasis;
- irritation of the oral mucosa, conjunctivitis;
- nervous pathologies - depression or irritability, mood swings;
- sleep disorder;
- weakness, fatigue, lethargy;
- nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, dyspepsia;
- hair loss;
- anemia;
- convulsions, eyelid twitching, finger trembling;
- liver dysfunction.
In a child, a lack of vitamin B6 is manifested by a lag in mentaland physical development. There may be convulsions, irritability, dyspepsia, severe dermatitis.
Instructions for use
Pyridoxine preparations should only be used as directed by a doctor. This is especially true for injections of vitamin B6. The instruction allows its intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous administration. The peculiarity of the treatment is that it is impossible to inject vitamin B1 and B6 on the same day, since they are incompatible. In addition, the dosage must be strictly observed. It is recommended to administer 50-100 mg of pyridoxine in two divided doses. Sometimes, for example, with severe depression, you can increase the dosage to 200 mg per day. The course of treatment is usually a month.
In milder cases, as well as for prevention, take vitamin B6 tablets. Generally, 2 to 30 mg per day is recommended. For prevention, up to 5 mg is enough, and in the treatment of various pathologies - 20-30 mg. Tablets are not chewed, taken after meals and washed down with a small amount of water. The course of treatment is 1-2 months.
Vitamin features
Pyridoxine found in foods is quite unstable. It is destroyed by freezing, canning and heat treatment. Therefore, this must be taken into account when compiling the menu. It is best to cook food with steam or in a small amount of water. In addition, pyridoxine is well absorbed only in the presence of magnesium, so it is important to ensure that this microelement is also supplied to the body.
Some substances anddrugs can bind pyridoxine and interfere with its absorption. These are corticosteroid hormones, products containing estrogen, and alcoholic beverages. The instructions for vitamin B6 do not recommend taking it with nicotinic acid, vitamins C and B1. But pyridoxine itself, if it is used in tablets, can interfere with the absorption of certain drugs. For example, such drugs should be used with caution in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. In addition, it may enhance the effect of diuretics.
