What happens when you are low on B6?
If your body is very low on B6, you can get anemia, which is too few red blood cells. That would make you feel tired and weak. Anemia can also come from not having enough iron in your body. Shortages of other vitamins, like B12 and folate, also may cause it.
What causes B6 and B12 deficiency?
The most common cause of folate and riboflavin deficiencies in older people is low dietary intake, whereas low B12 status is primarily associated with food-bound malabsorption, while sub-optimal vitamin B6 status is attributed to increased requirements in ageing.
How is B6 deficiency diagnosed?
Diagnosis of vitamin B6 deficiency is usually clinical. There is no single accepted laboratory test of vitamin B6 status; measurement of serum pyridoxal phosphate is most common.
How can I increase my B6 levels?
Vitamin B6 and Healthful Diets
- Many fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are good sources of vitamin B6. Some ready-to-eat breakfast cereals are fortified with vitamin B6.
- Fish, beef, and turkey contain high amounts of vitamin B6. Beans and nuts are also sources of vitamin B6.
Who is at risk for niacin deficiency?
Crohn’s disease, which affects almost 800,000 Americans, can cause vitamin B3 deficiency. So can Hartnup’s disease, a rare hereditary disorder, and a condition called carcinoid syndrome. People on dialysis and people who have cancer or HIV also have an increased risk of niacin deficiency.
What are the chief symptoms of early vitamin B6 deficiency?
Muscle weakness is also a symptom of vitamin B6 deficiency and with severe vitamin B6 deficiency, convulsions are also possible. Additionally, low levels of vitamin B12 can lead to loss of balance.
Does B6 help fighting depression?
Vitamin B6 has been used to treat symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, including anxiety, depression and irritability. Researchers suspect that B6 helps with emotional symptoms related to PMS due to its role in creating neurotransmitters that regulate mood.
What causes low vitamin B6?
Individuals with low vitamin B6 levels indicate that there is an inadequate supply of the vitamin available for some reason. This may be due to dietary issues or malabsorption concerns.
When should I take B6?
Adult men and women between the ages of 19 and 50 should consume about 1.3 milligrams of vitamin B-6 daily, recommends the Food and Nutrition Board.