How Does A Deficiency Occur?

A vitamin B6 deficiency can occur for many reasons; it is often caused by improper diet stemming from poor eating habits or alcoholism. Certain diseases and illnesses in which the body does not synthesize vitamin B6 from the foods that is given can also cause deficiencies in vitamin B6.

When a deficiency in vitamin B6 occurs to compete detrimental effects to the body, because the body uses this vitamin for the immune system, for hemoglobin and for glucose in the blood. This is a vitamin that the body cannot make without the proper foods and the body does not store the vitamin B6. This means the body needs B6 on a daily basis for optimal health.

Some of the symptoms that can be seen in vitamin B6 deficiency are, irritability, depression, mood changes and insomnia. In more advanced cases symptoms can be mouth sores swelling of the tongue and debilitation in walking. Many of these advanced symptoms are not seen in most countries, because of the availability of vitamin B6 in foods and supplements. Deficiencies, which are advanced, can be treated with vitamin B supplements that will relieve the symptoms within a short period of time.

Even in Vegetarian or Vegan diets, people are able to get the required amount of vitamin B6 without changing their diets, as long as the diet is nutritious one. This is because vitamin B6 can be found in non-meat or dairy foods, such as whole cereals, oatmeal, wheat germ and rice.