The bodies of organisms require various forms of nutrients to operate normally and help an individual in the course of executing multiple tasks. One of the primary nutrients that are fundamental to the proper functioning of the body organs is vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), which scientists often group into categories such as pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, and pyridoxal. NIH (2016) opines that pyridoxine is a soluble vitamin, which is prevalent in the foods such as potatoes, fish, and meat from the organs of animals. Also, humans can obtain vitamin B6 from common fruits such as citrus thereby implying that the nutrient mentioned above is readily available for the human consumption.
Vitamin B6 plays a critical role in boosting the operations of an individual’s body organs and cells thus improving one’s health status. According to NIH (2016), the active form of vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal Phosphate) is essential in the operations of more than a 100 enzymes, which catalyze various chemical reactions in the human body. Notably, the Pyridoxal Phosphate (PLP) is a coenzyme for a catalyst, which initiates the release of glucose from glycogen. Besides, the PLP is crucial for the chemical reactions that lead to the production of glucose from the amino acids in the body.
Scientists have also discovered that PLP is essential in the manufacturing of heme, which is an iron-rich component of hemoglobin that transports oxygen to the various parts of the body (Nutri-Facts, n.d). Specifically, PLP binds the hemoglobin and aids in the efficient transportation of oxygen in the body. Finally, PLP is critical in the reduction of the infections such as prostate and breast cancer. Precisely, PLP binds the steroid receptors in a manner that significantly reduces the binding of steroid hormones such as testosterone and estrogen, which often attaches to the hormone receptors thus changing gene expression. The change in the gene expression is one of the significant occurrences that lead to the development of cancer.
An analysis of the vitamin B6 indicates that it plays a critical role in the improvement of the immunity of the humans (Nutri-Facts, n.d). For instance, scientists attribute the role of vitamin B6 in the metabolism of one-carbon to the improvement of protection of humans thereby increasing the health statuses of various personalities. Apart from the growth in immunity, vitamin B6 acts as a coenzyme in the synthesis of nucleic acids in the body, thus influencing the genetic compositions of an individual.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reports that Pyridoxine is essential for the optimal operation of the nervous systems and the psychological processes of an individual (Nutri-Facts, n.d). Therefore, the adequate intake of vitamin B6 is essential in the normal coordination of the body’s organs and levels of intelligence. Also, the EFSA has discovered that Vitamin B6 is critical to the production of glucose and utilization of the toxic amino acids thus enhancing the energy production. Consequently, the consumption of vitamin b6 is essential in the reduction of fatigue and tiredness in the humankind. Furthermore, the nutrient mentioned above is crucial in the metabolic activities occurring in the body of an individual. The efficient metabolism in an individual is critical for the other bodily functions such as reproduction, movement, and digestion among others. Therefore, it is evident that the consumption of vitamin b6 is essential for the welfare of an individual.
According to the nutritionists, the consumption of proper quantities of Vitamin B6 is critical for the welfare of an individual. In reality, the intake of right amounts of vitamin B6 aids in the efficient execution of the previously described roles hence doctors have recommended the upper limits (UL), the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) and the dietary reference intakes (DRI) for various categories of people in the society. A recommendation for the appropriate amounts of Vitamin B6 that individuals need to consume is also important in ensuring that one evenly consumes the various nutrients, which are essential for healthy living. The table below shows the RDA for vitamin B6.
| Life stage | Recommended amount |
| Birth to 6 months | 0.1 mg |
| Infants 7-12 months | 0.3 mg |
| Children 1-3 years | 0.5 mg |
| Children 4-8 years | 0.6 mg |
| Children 9-13 years | 1.0 mg |
| Teenagers 14-18 boys | 1.3 mg |
| Teens 14-18 girls | 1.2 mg |
| Adults 19-50 years | 1.3 mg |
| Adults 51+ years(men) | 1.7 mg |
| Adults 51+ years(women) | 1.5 mg |
| Pregnant teens and women | 1.9 mg |
| Breastfeeding teens and women | 2.0 mg |
Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for Vitamin B6 (NIH, 2016)
In addition to the RDA, clinicians have recommended the upper limits for the vitamin B6 that individuals need to consume at a given age level. The table below shows the UL for the B6.
| Life stage | Upper Limit |
| Birth to 12 months | Not established |
| Children 1-3 years | 30 mg |
| Children 4-8 years | 40 mg |
| Children 9-18 years | 60 mg |
| Teens 14-18 years | 80 mg |
| Adults | 100 mg |
Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for Vitamin B6 (NIH, 2016)
Finally, the DRI for Vitamin B6 is as in the table below
| Age | Male | Female |
| Birth to 6 months | 0.1 mg | 0.1 mg |
| 7- 12 months | 0.3 mg | 0.3 mg |
DRI for Vitamin B6 (NIH, 2016)