vitamin B6
(VY-tuh-min…)
A nutrient in
the vitamin B complex that the body needs in small amounts
to function and stay healthy.
Vitamin B6 helps keep nerves and
skin healthy, fight infections, keep blood sugar levels
normal, produce red blood cells, and some enzymes work
properly. Vitamin B6 is a group
of related compounds (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and
pyridoxamine) found in cereals, beans, peas, nuts, meat,
poultry, fish, eggs, and bananas. It is water-soluble (can
dissolve in water). Not enough
vitamin B6 can cause mouth and tongue
sores and nervous disorders.
Vitamin B6 is being studied in
the prevention of hand-foot syndrome (a disorder caused by
certain anticancer drugs and marked by pain, swelling,
numbness, tingling, or redness of the hands or feet).
Also called pyridoxine.