Vitamin B6

Water-soluble · protein metabolism

What does Vitamin B6 do in your body?

A coenzyme in more than 100 reactions, mostly in protein metabolism.

What does Vitamin B6 do?

Helps process amino acids, make neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine), build hemoglobin and release glucose from glycogen.

Where does Vitamin B6 act in the body?

Liver, brain, blood, immune cells.

Which foods contain Vitamin B6?

Fish, poultry, potatoes, chickpeas, bananas, fortified cereals.

How much Vitamin B6 do adults need?

RDA: 1.3 mg (ages 19–50); 1.7 mg men / 1.5 mg women over 50. Upper limit: 100 mg/day.

What happens with too little Vitamin B6?

Uncommon alone; can cause anemia, skin rash and cracked lips.

Can you get too much Vitamin B6?

Long-term high-dose supplements can cause nerve damage (numbness, poor coordination). Food sources aren't linked to harm.

What does Vitamin B6 interact with?

Some medications (e.g., isoniazid) can lower B6 status.

What is known and unknown about Vitamin B6?

Coenzyme roles are established. Nerve harm from high supplement doses is well documented.

Evidence & sources

• High-dose B6 supplements taken long-term can cause sensory neuropathy. Evidence: strong. Known: Documented in case reports and studies of high supplemental intakes. Unknown: Exact thresholds for individuals are uncertain. Source: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin B6 — Health Professional Fact Sheet (Current revision).

Connected topics

• Banana
• Protein
• Nerve Signaling
• Blood
• Brain

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General education only, not medical advice. Drafted Oct 2026 · pending qualified expert review.