Vitamin B6 - What Do We Need It For?

Vitamin B6 plays a facilitating role in the immune system and the growth
of new cells. It also assists the body in the processing of proteins, fats,
and carbohydrates. And do you know that Vitamin B6 can help improve
your disposition and balance your mood swings?

Vitamin B6 also helps balance the sodium and potassium in your
body-making sure the body utilizes these two minerals effectively.
Experts also concur that this vitamin has cancer-fighting properties.

Great sources of Vitamin B6 are brewer's yeast, eggs, chicken, carrots,
fish, liver, kidneys, peas, wheat germ, and walnuts.


Vitamin B6 Deficiency

Irritability, nervousness and insomnia as well as general weakness, and
skin problems go hand-in-hand with Vitamin B6 deficiency. Symptoms
may include unhealthy looking nails, an inflamed tongue, osteoporosis,
and arthritis.


Recommended Vitamin B6 Dosage

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 2 mg per day. Take note,
an overdose of 2,000 mg per day, may cause neurological damage. In
particular, people on Parkinson's disease medication should be very
careful with taking Vitamin B6 as it may counteract the medication.

Vitamin B6 is best taken with the rest of the B complex group vitamins,
with Vitamin C and most major minerals such as sodium, potassium, and
zinc.

Aside from the fact that Vitamin B6 is easily flushed by the body in the
urine, it is also extremely sensitive to sunlight, cooking and processing.
Cortisone is this vitamin's worst enemy as it tends to cancel off the
vitamin's benefits.

Check out http://www.123-nutrition.com for more advice on nutritional supplements and vitamins!