Vitamins >> Vitamin B6 Deficiency

Severe deficiency of vitamin B₆ is uncommon. Alcoholics are thought to be most at risk of vitamin B₆ deficiency, due to a low intake and impaired metabolism of the vitamin. In the early 1950's seizures were observed in infants as a result of severe vitamin B₆ deficiency due to an error in the manufacture of infant formula. Abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns have been noted in some studies of vitamin B₆ deficiency. Other neurologic symptoms noted in severe vitamin B₆ deficiency include irritability, depression, and confusion; additional symptoms include inflammation of the tongue, sores or ulcers of the mouth, and ulcers of the skin at the corners of the mouth.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)

Because vitamin B₆ is involved in so many aspects of metabolism, several factors are likely to affect an individual's requirement for vitamin B₆. Of those factors, protein intake has been studied the most. Increased dietary protein results in an increased requirement for vitamin B₆, probably because PLP is a coenzyme for many enzymes involved in amino acid metabolism. Unlike previous recommendations, the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) of the Institute of Medicine did not express the most recent RDA for vitamin B6 in terms of protein intake, although the relationship was considered in setting the RDA. The current RDA was revised by the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) in 1998 and is presented in the table below.

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