Vitamin B6 Deficiency
The amount of protein you eat determines your dietary requirement for this vitamin, because it functions in protein metabolism. The RDA for pyridoxine is 1.3 micrograms for both men and women, increasing to 1.7 mcg for those over 50 years of age. Pregnant and nursing women require more. Children younger than ten years of age require slightly less. ©2007 Publications International, Ltd. Children need less vitamin B6 than adults, but most people just don't get enough. |
The 1980 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey showed that pyridoxine intake was below 70 percent of the RDA in half of the people surveyed. A 1990 survey showed that intake of the vitamin was still inadequate for most men and women. Other studies show reduced blood levels of pyridoxine in some pregnant women, elderly adults, alcohol abusers, and people with disorders such as kidney disease and Down syndrome.
Some prescription medications, including birth control pills, steroids, and the antibiotics isoniazid and penicillamine, can increase the need for pyridoxine. If you take one of these medicines, ask your health care practitioner about taking a pyridoxine supplement.
If you don't get enough vitamin B6, there are supplements out there -- just be carefult not to overdo it.link
Shannon, while the dietary protein intake does affect the amount of Vitamin B6 you need (because vitamin B6 activates more than 60 different protein enzymes), the RDA is based on what would be considered an optimal protein intake. Thus, if someone was following a protein only diet, the vitamin B6 DRI would not necessarily go up. The good news is that many of the foods that contain protein, also contain vitamin B6.
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