Vitamins play a very important role in the body. They participate in almost all physiological processes, help in the production of important hormones of enzymes. Some of them are formed in the intestine, but mainly they enter the body with food. Such vitamins, the needs of 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 to prevent its lack.
general characteristics
Vitamin B6 refers to water-soluble vitamins that regulate the body. He is involved in blood formation 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 into active forms that are sent to tissues and organs. There they combine with various enzymes that provide protein metabolism and other important body functions. Most importantly, pyridoxine accelerates the flow of energy processes, metabolism and cell regeneration. Therefore, with its sufficient amount, the youth and the working capacity of a person remain longer.
Functions Performed
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 assimilation 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 nervous system, stimulating the production of serotonin;
- helps the work of muscles;
- participates in the transmission of nerve impulses;
- prevents the appearance of excessive excitability;
- slows down the aging process;
- prevents the formation of seizures and increased tone of the uterus during pregnancy;
- lowers cholesterol;
- improves liver function;
- strengthens the immune system.
What products contain
Like all B vitamins, pyridoxine is primarily absorbed from the outside. But the good thing is that it is in many familiar products of both animal and plant origin. Therefore, with proper balanced nutrition, its normal amount is mainly absorbed into the body. The amount of vitamin B6 in foods is different. Little by little, it is found in almost any common food. But most of all is contained in the easily digestible form of pyridoxine in such products:
- in bran;
- brewer's yeast;
- liver of animals or fish;
- beans, peas, soy;
- chicken, rabbit;
- pork;
- milk, cottage cheese, cheeses;
- avocado;
- nuts
- bananas;
- pomegranate;
- garlic
- citrus fruits;
- carrots, cabbage and corn;
- sea fish, squid;
- raisins.
It is worth considering that most of all vitamin B6 is in products of animal origin. And in various fruits, it is found mainly in the skin.
Vitamin B6 Preparations
In tablets, such agents are most often used. They are used as part of complex therapy. Pyridoxine is absorbed well, immediately entering the tissues and organs. In the treatment of various pathologies, preparations containing only vitamin B6 or other components other than it can be prescribed.
- "Magne B6" - a combination of these two substances in the drug helps in the treatment of various pathologies that develop during nervous or physical overload. The drug positively affects the condition of the skin, hair and nervous system of a person, provides normal muscle contraction and improved sleep quality.
- "Pyridoxine hydrochloride" is used for vitamin B6 deficiency. This form of this substance helps to improve 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 produced in ampoules in two dosages: 50 or 10 mg per ml of solution.
For prophylactic purposes, it is best to use multivitamin complexes: Centrum, Alphabet, Vitrum, Multi Tabs, Supradin and others.
Vitamin B6: Indications
For some pathologies, as part of a comprehensive treatment, doctors prescribe pyridoxine. It helps speed recovery and improves overall health. 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;
- while 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;
- with radiculitis, 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 may vary depending on the state of health and lifestyle. The need for vitamin B6 increases during pregnancy and during breastfeeding, with increased mental and physical stress, dieting or an unbalanced diet, with frequent stresses or chronic diseases. In this case, its daily dosage can be up to 2-3 mg.
Upon receipt of vitamin B6 with food, it is impossible to prevent its overdose. After all, it is digested only in those quantities that are necessary. But with the use of drugs with pyridoxine, hypervitaminosis is sometimes possible. This condition is manifested by numbness of the hands and feet, convulsions, dyspeptic symptoms. For some pathologies, high doses of pyridoxine can be prescribed - up to 600 mg, but it is recommended to drink it in quantities of not more than 50 mg per day.
An increased need for pyridoxine occurs in some conditions and pathologies:
- during pregnancy and while breastfeeding;
- with diseases of the digestive tract;
- some hereditary diseases;
- stress, nervous tension;
- increased physical exertion;
- work in adverse weather conditions, with chemicals;
- alcoholism.
Signs of Vitamin Lack
With some pathologies, the digestibility of vitamins decreases. This can be with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, fever, hypothyroidism. Loss of vitamins can be with frequent vomiting or diarrhea, taking antibiotics, anti-TB drugs or immunosuppressants, and malnutrition. At the same time, hypovitaminosis or a lack of vitamin B6 develops. Symptoms in adults appear gradually, not very clearly. They are nonspecific, so even a doctor without analysis can not always determine the cause of the patient’s malaise. A lack of pyridoxine is manifested by such 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 disturbance;
- weakness, increased fatigue, lethargy;
- nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, dyspepsia;
- hair loss
- anemia
- cramps, twitching of the eyelids, trembling fingers;
- impaired liver function.
In a child, a lack of vitamin B6 is manifested by a lag in mental and physical development. Seizures, irritability, dyspepsia, severe dermatitis can be observed.
Instructions for use
Pyridoxine preparations should be used only as directed by a doctor. This is especially true for vitamin B6 injections. The instruction allows for its intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous administration. The peculiarity of the treatment is that you can not inject vitamin B1 and B6 in one 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 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. Usually 2 to 30 mg per day is recommended. Up to 5 mg is enough for prevention, and in the treatment of various pathologies - 20-30 mg. The 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, which is found in foods, is rather unstable. It is destroyed by freezing, canning and heat treatment. Therefore, this must be taken into account when preparing the menu. It is best to cook steamed or in a little water. In addition, pyridoxine is well absorbed only in the presence of magnesium; therefore, it is important to ensure the intake of this trace element.
Some substances and drugs can bind pyridoxine and interfere with its absorption. These are corticosteroid hormones, estrogen-containing products, as well as alcoholic beverages. The instruction for vitamin B6 does not recommend taking it with nicotinic acid, vitamins C and B1. But pyridoxine itself, if used in tablets, can impair the absorption of certain drugs. For example, care should be taken to take such drugs in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. In addition, it can enhance the effect of diuretics.