Vitamin B-6

Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine) is important for normal brain development and for keeping the nervous system and immune system healthy.† The recommended daily amount of vitamin B-6 for adults is 1.3 milligrams. People who have kidney disease or conditions that prevent the small intestine from absorbing nutrients from foods (malabsorption syndromes) are more likely to be vitamin B-6 deficient.† Certain genetic diseases and some epilepsy medications also can lead to deficiency.† This can cause a condition in which you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body’s tissues (anemia), which can cause symptoms such as confusion, depression, and/or a weakened immune system. A vitamin B-6 deficiency is usually coupled with deficiency in other B vitamins, such as folate (vitamin B-9) and vitamin B-12.† Healthcare practitioners often recommend vitamin B-6 for patients with heart and blood vessel function issues, morning sickness, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and Sideroblastic Anemia.†