Vitamin B6 Guide

Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, helps your body use nutrients from food and supports healthy red blood cells and tissue formation. Learn what it does and how to choose a supplement.

✅ Reviewed by Jamieson's Science Team

Quick Answers

What does vitamin B6 do?

Vitamin B6 helps your body metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and supports tissue and red blood cell formation.¹

Is vitamin B6 the same as pyridoxine?

Pyridoxine is one of the main forms of vitamin B6 used in supplements.

Does vitamin B6 support energy?

Yes. Vitamin B6 helps your body use nutrients from food as part of normal energy metabolism.¹

Can you take too much vitamin B6?

Yes. High long-term intakes can cause nerve problems, so it’s important to follow the product label and avoid unnecessary overlap.²

What is vitamin B6?

Vitamin B6 is an essential B vitamin your body needs for many everyday functions. In supplements, it is commonly provided as pyridoxine, including pyridoxine hydrochloride. 

Vitamin B6 helps your body use carbohydrates, fats, and proteins from food and supports healthy tissue and red blood cell formation.¹ 

How does vitamin B6 support the body?

Vitamin B6 helps your body process nutrients from food so they can be used for energy and other functions.¹ 

It also helps form red blood cells and supports healthy tissue formation. Jamieson’s current Vitamin B6 products use these same benefit areas. 

Which health goals can vitamin B6 support?

Energy Support

Vitamin B6 helps your body metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins as part of normal energy production.¹

Everyday Wellness

Vitamin B6 supports normal nutrient metabolism and healthy tissue formation.¹

Red Blood Cell Health

Vitamin B6 helps support normal red blood cell formation.¹

How can vitamin B6 fit into your routine?

Vitamin B6 supports everyday processes that help your body use food and maintain healthy blood cells. 

  • Eat a varied diet: Meat, fish, potatoes, fortified cereals, and some fruits and vegetables can contribute vitamin B6. 
  • For everyday energy: B6 helps your body use carbohydrates, fats, and proteins from food.¹ 
  • For healthy blood cells: Vitamin B6 supports red blood cell formation.¹ 
  • Check your other supplements: B-complex formulas and multivitamins may already contain vitamin B6. 

*It is important to consult your trusted healthcare practitioner before adding any new natural health supplement to your routine. 

What should you look for in a vitamin B6 supplement?

Start with the amount you need and whether you want B6 on its own or with other B vitamins.

  • Check the form: Jamieson’s standalone Vitamin B6 products use pyridoxine hydrochloride. 
  • Compare the strength: Jamieson offers standalone B6 in 100 mg and 250 mg strengths. 
  • Watch for overlap: B6 is also common in B-complex products and multivitamins. 
  • Consider combination formulas: Jamieson also combines B6 with B12 and folic acid. 
  • Avoid unnecessary high intakes: Long-term excess B6 can affect the nerves.² 
  • Look for an NPN: Choose a licensed natural health product with an eight-digit NPN. 
  • Look for quality: Jamieson products are backed by the Jamieson 360 Quality Promise. 

For more than 100 years, Jamieson has combined scientific expertise with rigorous quality testing. Every product is backed by the Jamieson 360 Quality Promise. 

*It is important to consult your trusted healthcare practitioner before adding any new natural health supplement to your routine. 

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FAQs
Is vitamin B6 the same as pyridoxine?

Vitamin B6 is the vitamin family, and pyridoxine is one of its commonly used forms. Jamieson’s standalone B6 products use pyridoxine hydrochloride.

What does vitamin B6 do?

Vitamin B6 helps the body metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and supports tissue and red blood cell formation.¹

How much vitamin B6 do adults need?

Health Canada recommends 1.3 mg per day for most adults aged 19–50. Needs increase somewhat with age and during pregnancy and breastfeeding.²

Sources

1. Health Canada. Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements Monograph. Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate.[Text Wrapping Break]https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq?atid=multi_vitmin_suppl 

2. Health Canada. Dietary Reference Intakes Tables: Reference Values for Vitamins.[Text Wrapping Break]https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/healthy-eating/dietary-reference-intakes/tables/reference-values-vitamins.html