          
          
                                VITAMIN B6
          
          
               Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that
          comprises three related forms: pryidoxine, pryidoxal
          and pryidoxamine.
          
               Function: Plays many roles in the body, the but
          most important one is in protein metabolism.
          
               Sources: Fortified instant oatmeal; fortified
          ready-to-eat cereals; meat, poultry and fish; soybeans;
          some fruits and vegetables, including bananas, prunes,
          watermelon, spinach, sweet potatoes, and tomato juice.
          
               Deficiency: Vitamin B6 deficiency can cause
          anemia, dermatitis and convulsions. In infants, it can
          lead to a variety of neurological disorders and
          abdominal distress.  Deficiency is rare in the United
          States; it is mainly seen in people deficient in
          several B-complex vitamins.
          
               Excess: Long-term megadoses, such as may be taken
          by women to alleviate premenstrual syndrome, may cause
          nerve damage and muscular incoordination in the hands
          and feet.
          
                     U.S. Recommended Daily Allowances
          
          Infants      Children      Adults and             Pregnant or
          (0-12 mo.)   (1-3 years)   Children 4 Years +   Nursing Women
          
          0.4 mg       0.7 mg        2.0 mg               2.5 mg
          
          (The U.S. RDA amounts are sufficient to meet the needs
          of practically all healthy people.)
          
          
          
          
