7 common signs when the body is deficient in vitamin b6

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is one of eight B complex vitamins. Although most sources of vitamin B6 can be easily found from food, unfortunately not everyone can meet their vitamin B6 needs. Especially for people with liver, kidney, digestive disorders, obesity, pregnant women, and active smokers. These people are particularly susceptible to vitamin B6 deficiency.

Just like other vitamin and mineral deficiencies, a body that is deficient in vitamin B6 will also exhibit certain symptoms.

What does vitamin B6 do?

Vitamin B6 has various important roles in the body. Starting from treating anemia, preventing the risk of heart disease, lowering high cholesterol, and strengthening brain function. This vitamin can also help with menstrual pain (PMS) and pregnancy side effects such as morning sickness.

Potatoes, nuts, fruits other than citrus family, fish, beef liver, and chicken are some sources of vitamin B6 that you can get easily.

Signs to watch out for when the body is deficient in vitamin B6

It is important to know that vitamin B6 is a water soluble vitamin. This means that the body cannot store vitamin B6 for a long time. The remaining vitamin B6 in the body will be filtered by the kidneys and excreted with urine.

When the body is deficient in vitamin B6 it will usually show several common signs, such as:

1. Chapped lips

Apart from dry weather and not drinking enough water, dry chapped lips are the most easily recognizable sign of a vitamin B6 deficiency.

If allowed to continue, this sore lip area can bleed and cause infection. Of course it will make you more uncomfortable.

2. Moods are easy to change

Believe it or not, your mood swings are not always influenced by other people's attitudes and environmental situations. Try to think again, is your body's nutritional intake sufficient? The reason is, vitamin B6 deficiency can actually have an impact on mood swings.

Some studies have even found that vitamin B6 is beneficial for the mood problems that often occur during PMS.

This is because vitamin B6 helps increase the production of serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. Both of these substances are responsible for helping control anxiety, depression and pain.

3. Fatigue

One of the easiest symptoms to feel from a vitamin B6 deficiency is fatigue, even when you feel you are getting enough sleep and rest. This is because vitamin B6 has an important role in the process of forming hemoglobin.

Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells, and is responsible for helping deliver oxygen throughout the body. Therefore, the production of too little hemoglobin will make the body's cells not get enough oxygen. Lack of hemoglobin is known as anemia.

In addition, the production of the hormone melatonin, which helps rest the brain and body, is also assisted by vitamin B6. As a result, you become easily weak, tired, and lethargic if you are deficient in vitamin B6.

4. Skin rash

A study from the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology reports that the cause of the red, itchy rash that leads to seborrheic dermatitis can be triggered by a deficiency of vitamin B6.

This is because vitamin B6 helps the process of absorption of collagen for healthy skin appearance. So, when the levels of vitamin B6 in the body are lacking, the result will be inflammation of the skin. You may also notice that your skin looks red, dry, and feels itchy.

5. Weak endurance

In fact, vitamin B6 deficiency can cause the body's immunity to weaken. In fact, a strong immune system can prevent you from infection and inflammation.

Many vitamin B6 deficiencies are associated with decreased production of antibodies needed to fight infection, as well as reducing the number of white blood cells that are responsible for boosting the body's immune system.

6. Convulsions

There are various reasons that cause a person to experience seizures. One of them is due to vitamin B6 deficiency. When the body does not get enough vitamin B6, the nerves work to send and receive signals will not be optimal.

The work of the nerves that are inhibited to send information to the parts of the body where it is needed eventually causes an out of control motion response in the form of seizures.

7. High homocysteine levels

Homocysteine is one type of amino acid needed by the body. Well, a deficiency of vitamin B6 can cause homocysteine levels to increase. The reason is, vitamin B6 is responsible for helping to break down homocysteine in the body.

This increase in homogeneity has been linked to the emergence of several health problems, including heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's, and damaged blood vessels and nerves.